Dopamine works to satisfy the brain s natural need to feel safe and rewarded. Without enough dopamine, the child feels driven to obtain recognition, praise and reward. Frequent praise and short-term recognition in the form of awards or healthy treats are valuable tools in motivating the ADHD child. Gaining acceptance and a sense of belonging are powerful motivators for the ADHD child. With a history of getting into trouble and having few friends, the child begins to believe maintaining friendships is impossible.
Children learn by watching each other and seeing how to look, talk and act.
If the child has no such role modeling, the tendency is to isolate and withdraw. Team and group activities play a very important role in building healthy self-esteem and important social. Group activities need to be prominent in the ADHD child's life. Often the ADHD youth will be clumsy, have trouble accurately verbalizing thoughts, controlling anger or moods, reading and following directions, or behaving appropriately. Isolation, angry outbursts or a refusal to participate are common ways the youth can use to cover up these difficulties rather than dealing with them.