Help Your ADHD Child Overcome Shyness
Many children who have ADHD tend to be chatterboxes, with mouths that move just as quickly as their hyperactive limbs.
Other kids with ADHD barely say a word to people other than their parents due to extreme shyness.
If this sounds like your child, he or she may have selective mutism, a condition where a child cannot utter words in certain situations.
Selective mutism makes it difficult for kids to make friends, share what they know in the classroom, and may cause some embarrassment for parents.
Selective mutism can happen to any child of any age for various reasons.
Some kids might have a hard time keeping up with the conversation, so they stay silent to avoid getting tongue-tied in front of their friends.
Others are not confident enough about their thoughts to be able to share it with their peers; they think they'll end up sounding "stupid.
" Whatever the reason is, these timid kids will go out of their way to avoid a situation that will require their speaking.
For instance, a child might choose to eat lunch alone at the library instead of the cafeteria because he is worried that someone will sit beside him and start a conversation.
Although your support and reassurance can do much to ease your child's anxiety, there are a few more things you can do to help him or her overcome shyness.
Learn more about your child's anxiety Talk to your child about the situations that make them clam up.
Some children might have a hard time talking to adults.
Others find big groups of children intimidating.
The more you learn about the specifics of your child's anxiety, the more you can find ways to overcome anxiety.
Hold role-playing sessions Give your child a chance to practice speaking to others with role-playing games.
For instance, you can get your child to rehearse a joke and encourage him to tell it during the next family gathering.
Once your child gets over the initial fear of speaking, he might find that he enjoys telling funny stories.
Teach your child how to "buy time" Your child might feel at ease conversing with others if they can buy themselves time to think.
Suggest phrases that can be used for this purpose, such as, "I'm not sure" or "Give me a minute to think about it.
" Teach your child deep breathing exercises Anxiety can be aggravated by shallow breathing.
On the other hand, deep breathing will help your child relax and improve the flow of oxygen to the brain.
Do deep breathing exercises together and instruct your child to perform these exercises when he or she feels nervous.
Other kids with ADHD barely say a word to people other than their parents due to extreme shyness.
If this sounds like your child, he or she may have selective mutism, a condition where a child cannot utter words in certain situations.
Selective mutism makes it difficult for kids to make friends, share what they know in the classroom, and may cause some embarrassment for parents.
Selective mutism can happen to any child of any age for various reasons.
Some kids might have a hard time keeping up with the conversation, so they stay silent to avoid getting tongue-tied in front of their friends.
Others are not confident enough about their thoughts to be able to share it with their peers; they think they'll end up sounding "stupid.
" Whatever the reason is, these timid kids will go out of their way to avoid a situation that will require their speaking.
For instance, a child might choose to eat lunch alone at the library instead of the cafeteria because he is worried that someone will sit beside him and start a conversation.
Although your support and reassurance can do much to ease your child's anxiety, there are a few more things you can do to help him or her overcome shyness.
Learn more about your child's anxiety Talk to your child about the situations that make them clam up.
Some children might have a hard time talking to adults.
Others find big groups of children intimidating.
The more you learn about the specifics of your child's anxiety, the more you can find ways to overcome anxiety.
Hold role-playing sessions Give your child a chance to practice speaking to others with role-playing games.
For instance, you can get your child to rehearse a joke and encourage him to tell it during the next family gathering.
Once your child gets over the initial fear of speaking, he might find that he enjoys telling funny stories.
Teach your child how to "buy time" Your child might feel at ease conversing with others if they can buy themselves time to think.
Suggest phrases that can be used for this purpose, such as, "I'm not sure" or "Give me a minute to think about it.
" Teach your child deep breathing exercises Anxiety can be aggravated by shallow breathing.
On the other hand, deep breathing will help your child relax and improve the flow of oxygen to the brain.
Do deep breathing exercises together and instruct your child to perform these exercises when he or she feels nervous.
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