By Elizabeth Hamilton, M.Ed
For Variety

ATTENTION Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is characterized by hyperactivity (being too active, restless and fidgety, talking too much, or having a mind which races with thoughts), inattentiveness (difficulty paying attention, mind wandering, forgetting or losing things), and impulsivity (acting first without thinking, not thinking about the consequences of actions, and interrupting others).
These behaviors create many challenges for children with ADHD in school and in life. Parents can help their children learn how to manage their ADHD characteristics by teaching them how to set and reach their desired goals. Below are seven proven steps:
1. Choose the goal. Sit down with your child and talk about the things you would like for him to accomplish. For most children with ADHD, goals would revolve around learning how to manage their ADHD. In the beginning, set goals for your child that pertain to home or school. Later, move on to goals that deal with the important process of discipline with the goal of developing self-discipline and self-control.
2. Write the goal and post it. Write the goal and the steps needed to achieve it. Post it where your child can see it every day. This will help him keep focused on his objectives. Many psychologists are frequently quoted as saying that people are more committed to goals they write down than they are to goals that they don’t.
3. Brainstorm strategies to reach the goal. Once you or your child has selected a goal, help him think of ways to break it down into small, easily achievable parts. Teach him the step-by-step planning process of what needs to be done in order to reach a goal.
4. Break assignments into short, sequential steps. Break instructions into short, sequential steps, divide work into smaller short “mini-assignments,” hand out longer assignments in segments, and schedule short work periods. Also, provide regular guidance for extended projects that take several days or weeks to complete. One of the most common things for children with ADHD do is procrastinate, miscalculate, and avoid (unpleasant) tasks until the last minute.
5. Monitor progress. Monitor your child’s progress by creating a checklist of what needs to be done in order to achieve a particular goal. As your child achieves each small step, check it off. If your child gets off track, show him how to re-focus. To keep your child focused, use motivational charts to help him stay on-task. 
6. Celebrate attainment of goals. Each time your child reaches a short –term goal, acknowledge his achievement with some type of celebration. It can be as simple as going out for an ice cream, staying up an hour late, renting a movie, or allowing your child to choose an activity he enjoys.
7. Avoid unrealistic goals. At times, parents set unattainable goals for their children. These unrealistic expectations set children up for failure and harm their self-esteem. If a child consistently fails to meet his goals, parents may need to change what they expect.
By attaining small goals, children gain the confidence to plan and meet even higher goals. Learning this process will not only make them better students and more successful in school, it will enable them to achieve their goals and attain success throughout their entire lives.