What helps ADHD Kids Improve Impulse Control?

Impulse control is a common struggle for children with ADHD, and it's a challenge that can significantly impact their lives. Understanding why this happens is the first step toward finding effective solutions. In this blog, I break down the reasons behind impulse control difficulties in children with ADHD, separating fact from fiction and, most importantly, focusing on what can actually make a difference.

Why Impulse Control is Challenging

Impulse control is a core executive function skill, and as we know, ADHD is an executive function developmental delay. Kids with ADHD often struggle with impulse control because their brains are developing a few years behind their peers in this area. Several factors contribute to this challenge. They often struggle with:

• Future Thinking: Difficulty picturing the potential consequences of their actions (nonverbal working memory).
• Internal Dialogue: Inconsistent use of their "brain voice" to consider options and make thoughtful decisions.
• Emotional Regulation: Rapid shifts in emotions, making it harder to pause and think before acting.

What Doesn't Help

It's important to understand what doesn't improve impulse control. Common approaches that often fall short include:

• Vague Instructions: Telling a child to "think before you act" is rarely effective.
• Therapy Alone: While therapy can be helpful for many things, it doesn't directly develop impulse control.
• Punishment: Punishment doesn't change impulsive behavior or speed up executive function development. Learning accountability and making amends for mistakes are more effective strategies.

What Does Help

So, what does help kids with ADHD improve their impulse control? In my experience and based on research, two key factors stand out:

• Medication: Medication can be very effective in improving impulse control. Finding the right medication often involves a process of trial and error.
• Brain Maturity: As executive function skills develop with age, impulse control naturally improves. However, it's important to note that executive function development in individuals with ADHD can continue into their late 20s, and the level of improvement varies.

While medication and brain maturity are the primary factors, other strategies can be helpful. One example is teaching delayed gratification – helping children learn to wait for things they want.

Watch the full video on YouTube, and don't forget to check out other helpful videos on the ADHD Dude YouTube channel for more strategies and support.