Glass half empty or half full?? | ADHD Information

My lovely daughter has ADHD and is struggeling with social skills. She has so much to be thankful for yet she continues to focus on the negative.  It is almost like she just enjoys getting upset and enjoys having drama.  It is really sad becasue I do not want her to be the negative type of person that out of lack of subtance in ones life she talks about all the bad things and recognized none of the blessings she has in her life.  I always try to get her to look at it it from a positive approach but you can tell she tunes me out.  Is this part of the ADHD mind set?  She is not on medicine but I hope to get heron something soon.  We also will begin helping other children with their homework who live in our local shelter for battered moms.  I am just hoping maybe she can look at theri situation and reevaluate her life.  Perhpas be thankful for what she does have and try to just deal with the curve balls life sometimes throws us.  She is 10 going on 30.  She is so happy most of the time but she really like to be dramatic and she doe not have a lot of friends as a result. ANy brilliant concepts for changing this? Please helps!

Kids know when they are different from others and when they struggle with things that others get without a problem. They get more negative feedback at school and from peers than other kids as well. This is why ADHD is often accompanied by anxiety, depression and/or defiance.

Look at the marble system by ogram (top thread of this board) for a positive reinforcement system. The more positive feedback and rewards for the good things a child does, the more their self esteem grows. Coaching her on social skills (even on things you think she should know) would be helpful as well. ADHD kids are about 30% behind thier peers in these areas, so don't be supprised if you have to coach her as though she were 7 sometimes.

The meds have helped my daughter become successful at school and more accepted by her peers, furthering that self esteem.

ADHD children always get fusturated or disappointed in themselves then "normal" children (i hate the word normal but i used it) and their self esteem is not as high, I think it is important to always praise them when doing a great job!! our children are very blessed to have parents that support them and work with them as much as the parents on this board do, but they are not aware of anythign other then what they feel and it is hard to change that feeling unless we focus on the good and go above adn beyond praise :-)