Other useful strategies

Safety planning can help caregivers to support the person with ADHD to cope when a dangerous situation occurs.

What can you do to keep the person you provide care to safe?

• Teaching your loved one to stop and think before they act will help to keep them safe yet may also be difficult for them.
• Continue to talk about this regularly to help the person to pause and check if they are safe before they act. For example when crossing a road, the person must stop, look, listen, check etc. If they do not they may run into oncoming traffic.
• Or if the person is near a swimming pool they need to be reminded to stop, and check that they are safe. Reminding the individual when they are near a road or water how to behave will help to keep them safe.
• You may need to repeat these lessons as the person you care for may forget or act without thinking.

Practical tips to make your home a safer place include:

• locks on windows and doors
• safety gate for stairs
• the use of plastic cutlery and plates and cups
• keep sharp or dangerous objects such as medications safely locked away

Creating a good sleep routine for the person can help them to get the rest they need and be less tired and perhaps irritable the next day

• 2 hours prior to sleep any screen time, caffeine or high sugar drinks/snacks and intense physical activity should be avoided.
• Lighting should be dimmed and quiet and calming activities should take place in the hour before bed time.
• The temperature and lighting in the bedroom should be adjusted to suit the person’s needs.
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What is a weighted blanket used for?

A weighted blanket may help to encourage sleep for an individual with ADHD. Weighted blankets aim to promote restfulness and relaxation by reducing experiences of sensory overload of such as noise, light or clothing. Weighted blankets provide deep pressure and help to relax the individual, reduce anxiety and promote rest and sleep.