Hi, my son was recently diagnosed with ADHD and I've used a number of techniques to deal with his behavior. Since he can't read yet, I prepared a 7 day chart with pictures of the positive behaviors I expect from him (i.e., cleaning his room, hugging his 10 year old sister, behaving in Pre-K). At the end of each day I would sit with him to discuss his day and put stickers on all the behaviors he accomplished, and at the end of the week he would get one of the goodies we had talked about earlier.

Another technique is preparing him for everything. Before we go to a doctor's appointment I tell him where we're going and what they'll do (talk, weigh him, put a thermometer in his mouth, etc.); every time he has a therapy (he gets speech, occupational and psychological therapy) I tell him who he's going to see and the behavior I expect from him; when we go to a store (especially if it's a toy store) I tell him what he can get or that I don't have money to get him something that day, but if he's especially good, I get him something for a dollar which makes his day. By doing this I more or less control his reaction to "unexpected" situations.

Another technique, which is more of an advice I read, is reinforcing all the good and letting go of the lesser bads. Every time he's good, or waits his turn, or asks for the remote control instead of snatching it out of my hands, I praise him and give him a hug. But if he leaves his clothes on the floor or doesn't answer me the first time I call him, or slightly misbehaves in school - I let it pass. What I won't let pass is if he hits his sister, teacher or his new puppy - or something else that I consider a major no-no. Then comes time out (or as he refers to it - his thinking time) where he sits and "thinks" about what he did. And then comes the part where he says sorry and we hug and kiss each other.

Trust me when I say it's not easy, but with love and lots of patience I hope to help him get through this.

About my life, it's changed drastically. I have to constantly be on alert with his surroundings, trying to eliminate negative influences such as violent movies on TV - which means my husband and I can't always see what we want. I don't go out as much and I don't ask anyone to babysit since they wouldn't know how to deal with his outbursts. I take him everywhere I go and have him next to me almost always. I've also had to prepare my daughter in many ways. About a year ago she told me how embarrassed she felt when we went out and he would have his tantrums. I've seen her grades go down a bit, probably because I can't give her all the attention I use to and because she helps me out more in the house and with her brother (God bless her). I've had a couple of psychological therapies myself because I kind of got depressed, but luckily overcame it pretty quick.

Well, If I continue to write, I'll make a book, so in conclusion, I'm also dealing with the possibility that my husband also has ADHD and it's something new I'll have to deal with.