What are the 5 high-risk situations for ADHD individuals?

The 5 high-risk situations are: 1) Long/meaningless tasks - break into micro-steps with 15-20min timer, 2) Unexpected transitions - give 2 warnings (5min + 1min) with visual timer, 3) Sensory overload - provide quiet corner and noise-canceling headphones, 4) Vague instructions - use short phrases and visual aids, 5) Fatigue/end of day - reduce expectations and provide active breaks.

What are the warning signs of ADHD distress?

The warning signs include increased agitation, rising tone of voice, clenched fists, facial tension, avoidance behaviors, and beginning provocations. These signs help identify when intervention is needed.

What is the effective posture for ADHD intervention?

The effective posture includes: maintaining calm proximity (3 feet away, at their eye level), using SHORT phrases like 'Stop. Breathe. I'm here.', speaking in a NEUTRAL tone (your calm equals their calm), and avoiding long explanations during crisis situations.

What are the 4 key intervention techniques for ADHD?

The 4 key techniques are: 1) REDIRECTION - 'Instead of X, come help me with Y', 2) LIMITED CHOICES - offering 2 acceptable options 'Do you prefer A or B?', 3) ACTIVE/CALM BREAK - movement or quiet corner, and 4) SENSORY RESET - using cold water, breathing exercises, or stress ball.

How should you respond to provocation from someone with ADHD?

Don't engage in the game, stay neutral, acknowledge their feelings by saying 'I see that you're angry', ignore the words but respond to the behavior. The key is to remain calm and not get drawn into confrontation.

What is the golden rule for ADHD intervention?

NEVER engage in a power struggle. Use the broken record technique by calmly repeating the same short phrase. This helps maintain control of the situation while avoiding escalation.

ADHD Pocket Cheat Sheet | DYNSEO

📋 DYNSEO TOOL — ADHD POCKET FORMAT

ADHD Cheat Sheet — Pocket Format
4 practical cards — DYNSEO

4 condensed cards to identify at-risk situations, intervene effectively, manage specific behaviours and celebrate progress.

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Card 1/4

⚠️ At-Risk Situations

Identify them to prevent better

1. Long tasks / lacking purpose✅ Break into micro-steps, use a cover sheet, 15–20 min timer

2. Unplanned transitions✅ Give two warnings (5 min + 1 min), visual timer, posted routine

3. Sensory overload✅ Quiet corner, noise-cancelling headphones, sensory break

4. Vague instructions✅ Short, visual sentences, one step at a time

5. Fatigue / end of day✅ Lower demands, active breaks, simple activities

          🔍 Early warning signs:
          Rising agitation • Raised voice • Clenched fists • Facial tension • Avoidance • Start of provocation
        

Card 2/4

🛠️ Intervention Techniques

Act effectively in a difficult situation

EFFECTIVE POSTURE

• Calm proximity (1 m, at their level)
• SHORT phrases (Stop. Breathe. I'm here.)
• NEUTRAL tone (your calm = their calm)
• NO long explanations during the episode

4 KEY TECHNIQUES

REDIRECTION"Instead of X, come and help me with Y"

LIMITED CHOICE"Would you prefer A or B?" (2 acceptable options)

ACTIVE / CALM BREAKActive: movement • Calm: quiet corner

SENSORY RESETCold water, breathing, stress ball

          ⚡ GOLDEN RULE:
          NEVER get drawn into a power struggle. Broken record technique: calmly repeat the same short phrase.
        

Card 3/4

🚨 Specific Behaviours

How to respond to...

PROVOCATION

Don't take the bait
Stay neutral
"I can see you're angry"
Ignore words, respond to behaviour

SYSTEMATIC "NO"

"You don't want to, OK"
"AND at the same time..."
Offer an adjustment
Give a delay (2 min)

THROWING OBJECTS

"Stop. We don't throw things"
Remove object / child
Firm but neutral tone
After: verbalise + make amends

SCREAMING

LOWER your own voice
"I'll listen when you're calm"
Don't talk during the episode
Model calmness

TELL THEM APART

AGITATION: need to move → offer movement
EMOTIONAL MELTDOWN: overwhelmed → soothe, reassure
OPPOSITION: testing limits → firm structure, choice

Card 4/4

✨ Post-Episode & Reinforcement

Rebuild and celebrate

AFTER THE EPISODE (once calm)

1. VERBALISE"You were very angry because..." (no moral lesson)

2. MAKE AMENDS (if needed)Concrete, proportionate action (pick up, apologise)

3. RETURN TO ROUTINEMove on quickly, give an opportunity to succeed

4. REBUILD THE BONDPositive gesture quickly (valued task, positive attention)

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

✅ 3/1 RATIO: 3 positive remarks for every 1 negative
✅ SPECIFIC: "You waited your turn" vs "Well done"
✅ IMMEDIATE: in the moment, not 2 hours later
✅ MICRO-PROGRESS: celebrate every small step

          💬 POSITIVE PHRASES:
          "I noticed that..." • "You managed to..." • "Thank you for..." • "I'm proud of you because..." • "You calmed yourself down, well done!"
        

🔒

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ADHD Cheat Sheet — Pocket Format4 practical cards — DYNSEO