Computer time and lying | ADHD Information

Hi Tabby
My friend uses a timer and makes her son self-regulate 20 mins on the computer before he takes a break and does something else. It's taken a while but he's really managed to find some self control, which is admirable.

It's brutal, but I sometimes change the log-in password on my computer when my son is not following the rules. It *really* hurts him when I do this but it's his currency. He obsesses with computer games and NEEDS to finish them before he can do something else. He is mildly OCD and it's really obvious in things like computer/ Wii.

Could you change the password on the computer and only give it to him when the chores/school work have been completed properly? If you do take the iTouch away, during the day, he could be 'rewarded' with it when he's home from school and done his chores etc.

Sorry this is prob all obvious... I hope you find a way through this. I think most pre-teens/teens are sooooo into their gadgets these days it's really hard to stop them. I sometimes take the controllers away - you could take the computer keyboard and give it back when jobs are done...

Good luck.

Thanks Twins, all good advice.  I guess it really hurts when you see your son being deceitful and sneaky in order to get to his computer when he knows he shouldn't be.  I will certainly be trying some of your suggestions. 

We allow our son, 12 (ADHD) to have 2 hrs computer time Sat and Sun and he takes his iTouch for his school bus ride each morning which takes about 45 minutes to get to school. We are now finding that he is becoming obsessed with his computer games and will shortcut all his home jobs just to get to them.  The other morning I wondered where he was as all was quiet for 15 minutes and he was in the study playing p.c. games, which he knows is a definete no-no.  He will also lie about the time he has been on the p.c.  I feel it has become a game of cat and mouse with us trying to stop him sneaking onto the computer.  We've given him consequences and taken his itouch away for a week etc.  But is all goes back to square one.  His grades are suffering and he is not applying himself at school.  I also find his deceit about this really awful.

Is anyone else experiencing their kids 'addiction' to computers/iTouch?  What is the best way to deal with this?  Ban all this stuff altogether until grades pick up?

Thanks guys.

Mum tearing hair out.