If you belong to a large family that has annual reunions, it's common for different people to host these gatherings each year. When your time comes, you may be excited to prepare your home to welcome in your kin, but there may be some hesitations if you have a child who suffers from severe ADHD. This doesn't mean that you should pass on your opportunity to host, but it does mean that you should dedicate some planning time to making sure that the event will be suitable for your child's needs. You may also want to consult with your family physician or an ADHD counselor in your community who can give you some suggestions on how to make this event suitable for your child. Here are some directions that you might wish to take.

Have A Quiet Area

Family reunions can be highly stimulating. There are perhaps dozens of people with whom to interact, energetic children doing a variety of things, and lots of food to eat. Such an environment can be a lot for the average person to take in, but it may seem overwhelming for your child with ADHD. He or she may be so distracted by everything going on that he or she struggles to behave properly, and this can obviously be frustrating for the child and for you. Plan to have a quiet area, such as the child's room, where the child can go — not as a source of punishment — to enjoy some quiet play when he or she begins to feel overstimulated.

Focus On Single Activities

You likely want to ensure that the children in attendance have lots of activities to keep them engaged, but having too many options may be distracting for your child. For example, if there are some children playing a board game in the basement, others out in the swimming pool, and others watching a movie, your child may struggle to choose a location and may spend much of his or her time revolving from activity to activity. It may be better to have a set schedule for the kids. For example, they'll go swimming for an hour, then play a quiet board game, and then watch a movie after dinner.

Remember Not To Be Embarrassed

Parents of children with ADHD can sometimes become embarrassed by their son or daughter's behavior, and this can make the situation worse. For example, as you get more embarrassed, you might try harder to restrict your child's activities — which could only agitate him or her further. Remember that you're among family, and no one is going to harshly judge you for how your child behaves. As long as you put a lot of thought into making the environment suitable for your child, the family reunion will go well.

For more information, you can seek professional ADHD help near you today.