Live Webinar on September 8: The Power of Positive Reinforcement: Why Rewards Trump Punishments for Students with ADHD

Positive reinforcement inspires more consistent motivation and better learning outcomes for children with ADHD, who are more sensitive to rewards and punishments than are their neurotypical peers. Research shows that positive reinforcement (rewards for achievements) changes the brain at the cellular level; it also shows that children with ADHD are more likely to become frustrated and give up when they don’t receive anticipated rewards for completing a difficult task.

Yes, punishment may keep a child with ADHD on task in the short term. But studies show that punishment, or the anticipation of punishment, may carry serious long-term consequences if the child’s emotional regulation skills are weak.

Given these findings, how might educators and caregivers more effectively approach motivation and behavior modification for children with ADHD? In this webinar, you will learn:

• How to respond when a child’s task persistence drops away and she begins to respond impulsively or become emotional
• How to use positive reinforcement when a child is learning a new skill or task that requires much effort
• How to introduce strategies that will build a child’s stamina for waiting
• How to use reinforcement to help children as they transition from one activity or setting to another
• How to match homework demands to a child’s capacity, and how to reward effort when the work is challenging