Ever think to yourself ‘Wow, my child will not stop talking? Did you know this is a symptom of their ADHD?
Many parents with children who have ADHD report that their child is super talkative and typically says things without thinking about them first. Your child does not intentionally talk a mile a minute, but it just happens! You may receive feedback from your child’s teacher that they are super talkative in class or that they blurt out answers without waiting to be called on. This can cause some problems for the teacher and maybe some stress on your child. They probably feel like they are being singled out in class or always getting in trouble. But again, this is a part of their ADHD.
Your child may also struggle with dominating the conversation. If they find a topic interesting, they will continue to talk about it until they have run out of information to share. While they are dominating the conversation, they miss out on key conversation skills like understanding facial expressions and body language. Facial expressions tell a lot about a conversation and the person listening. Facial expressions help you distinguish between an intrigued listener and a bored listener. If your child struggles to decipher between the two, they will miss the social cues to change the subject or ask the listener questions. Body language is also a big social cue. If the listener is making eye contact, nodding their head, and is directed toward you, they are more than likely interested in the conversation topic. If the listener is not making eye contact and is faced away from you, then they may be distracted because they do not find the conversation interesting. Helping your child practice their social cues, could help them understand when they should give their friend or family member a chance to speak. This is also why so often people with ADHD have trouble making friends- they are not mindful of their body cues.
Here are some ways to help bring awareness to your child without them feeling singled out or any type of shame:
- Be an example – Simply show them how to communicate effectively by being an example. You can show them how to look for pauses in the conversation and when to pause to let others speak.
- Use a non-verbal cue – Establish a non-verbal cue like a raised finger or tug at the ear to let them know that they are dominating the conversation. This will give them a slight signal without singling them out.
- Practice – Work with your child by using role-play situations to help them practice a healthy back-and-forth conversation. Teach them to look for social cues such as body language and facial expressions. Practicing will help them become better listeners and increase their conversation skills.
- Consider having your child join a social skills class to focus on learning more about back and forth communication.
- Younger kids can benefit from using puppets or stuffed animals to practice basic communication skills. Although you are not working on non-verbals, the simple practice of taking turns through puppets can be very helpful!
We know that helping your ADHD child can be challenging. We know that teaching social skills can be even harder. We are here to help guide your family into a more ‘balanced’ house. Reach out today.