Are parents of children with ADHD good at parenting?

Sep 8 2004

Are parents of children with ADHD good at parenting? It is generally thought that ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children is compounded by poor parenting skills, and much research evidence exists to support this view.

To make the situation worse, it is thought that ADHD is a familial disorder and that many parents of ADHD children may also show traits of ADHD. One might imagine that this would put those children in a higher risk category of poor parenting.

Dr David Daley of the University of Wales, Bangor’s School of Psychology will be providing evidence this week to suggest that the reverse may be true. Research conducted by child psychologist, Daley, of over 250 parents and children suggests that there may be positive aspects to sharing ADHD traits between parent and child.

Dr Daley’s research confirms that compared to parents of non-ADHD children who do not experience high levels of ADHD symptoms, parents of ADHD children, who have high level of ADHD symptoms themselves are most likely to engage in negative and undesirable parenting practices and have a negative emotional relationship with their child However this group of parents were also most likely to engage in affectionate and constructive parenting, when in interaction with their child. This included the parent expanding on a child’s play idea, without criticism, and spending more time playing together, all of which are positive parenting traits.

“What this means is that, although previous observations would lead us to suppose these children to be most at risk,” says Daley. “However, Maternal ADHD symptoms seem to protect the child from the pattern of low levels of positive parenting which they typically when their mothers do not share this behavioural characteristic experience” he explains.