Strategies for Kids to Be Less Impulsive

Impulsive behavior can affect almost any child at any given time. Some children will be more impulsive than others and need additional assistance from teachers, parents and friends to control their behaviors. Impulsive behavior can be a sign of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, so you might want to contact your family doctor if you suspect the impulsive behavior is more serious than childhood mischief.

  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • Cognitive behavioral therapy is one way a parent can help a child who is impulsive. Talking with a therapist or behavior specialist can help you child to begin to understand why impulsive behaviors are unacceptable and how they cause problems for him in school or the community. Rewards are given for positive behaviors so they will be reinforced for the child. Older children will learn about self control and how to manage thinking patterns that lead into impulsive behaviors.

    Physical Activity

    • Pent-up energy can create an impulsive child. Children need up to 45 minutes of strenuous physical activity per day; this will help impulsive children work out some of the energy that leads to impulsive behaviors. Allow your child time to run around outside, take a long walk or go to a playground and let him jump and climb. The more exercise your child gets in a day, the less likely he is to engage in impulsive behaviors.

    Family Therapy

    • Family therapy can help you and your child learn to deal more effectively with impulsive behaviors. A therapist may be able to get to the root the problem or the reason for the behavior. Your child may be feeling neglected if you work long hours or just had a new baby and be trying to elicit attention. Acting out could be due to problems in school, with a friend or a result of having other stressors on her mind. Talking with a family therapist can help you and your child put the situation in perspective, as well as help you deal with your child's impulsive actions.

    Medication

    • Use medication as a last resort option only if you have tried other methods to no avail. There are many medications that are used to treat the impulsive behaviors associated with ADHD, such as Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert. These medications work by increasing your child's attention and reducing hyperactivity, which helps your child control his impulsive outbursts and behaviors. Talk with your doctor if other methods do not seem to be helping your child deal with his behaviors.

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