Anger problems are a common aspect of ADHD and once they are properly diagnosed as an irritability associated wit ADHD the treatment choice would be anger management. Anger management consists of several steps. The first step is prevention. This may include firmly establishing ground rules, if a change in routine is necessary give advance warning, don’t over stimulate or overwhelm the child with too many tasks or playmates, and keep tasks at the child’s ability level. The second step is teaching the child anger reduction techniques. These may include positive statements; deep breathing, counting backwards, and using pleasant imagery (imaging yourself on a sandy beach playing in the sand on a hot summer day). Parents also need to make it clear to the child that is suffering from ADHD that angry outbursts are not acceptable and do not work. Through anger management techniques children learn that remaining calm helps them to achieve their goals. Like behavior modification the key is consistency. Without consistency anger management techniques will fail.
