Introduction to the ADHD Child and Parent Self-Monitoring Checklist: Encouraging Independence and Skill Building

Navigating the journey of parenting a child with ADHD brings its distinct hurdles, but also opens doors to special learning and development experiences. One of these opportunities is teaching your child how to self-monitor – a skill that can empower them to manage their symptoms more effectively over time. Self-monitoring builds 1) self-observation and 2) checking off completed tasks that are being monitored.

This ADHD Child Self-Monitoring Checklist is designed not only for parents to track and understand their child’s behavior, but also as a tool to teach your child the essential skill of self-monitoring. The checklist encourages your child to actively participate in observing and understanding their own behaviors, emotions, and responses. It guides your child to recognize their patterns, identify what triggers certain behaviors, and celebrate the progress they make.

The idea of children learning to self-monitor and guide their behavior aligns with the educational theory of ‘scaffolding,’ proposed by psychologist Jean Piaget. This process involves adults, or more knowledgeable individuals, providing guidance and support to children, or less experienced individuals, as they learn new concepts or skills. As children grow more competent, the supportive ‘scaffold’ is gradually removed, allowing the child to perform tasks independently.

In a systematic review of the use of self-monitoring strategies among students with ADHD, Alsalamah (2017) found that self-monitoring interventions were linked to improvements in both on-task behavior and academic outcomes. These findings underscore the potential value of tools like this checklist. As a form of a self-monitoring intervention, this checklist can support your child’s journey towards greater independence and success.

This tool should be seen as a starting point, adaptable to your child’s individual needs. And remember, this checklist is not a diagnostic tool but a way to track behaviors and responses to different situations and interventions. Regular consultation with your child’s healthcare provider or therapist is crucial. They can provide further guidance and support and use the insights gained from this checklist to guide your child’s treatment plan.

Reference:

Alsalamah, A. (2017). Use of the self-monitoring strategy among students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(14).