According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among primary school children in India was 11.32 percent in 2013. It’s a common condition, but has only just recently been recognized as such in the country. Previously, the symptoms and signs of ADHD such as difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, were simply labelled as naughty and destructive behavior of children.

Now that ADHD is better understood, infrastructure across India are developing into healthy learning environments for children. Teachers are learning more about ADHD and implementing plans in their schools to develop curriculums and positive atmospheres. However, you don’t have to wait for your school to catch up with the times. You can start by adapting your own living space. Here are some tips to help you design a healthy home for kids with ADHD.

Design Soothing Spaces: Color effects our mood and behavior more than most people realize, so it’s important that you take a look at the colors in your home. Scientists have found that warm earthy tones such as greens and muted browns as well as calm blues provide soothing effects that can help counteract the symptoms of ADHD.

Along with color schemes, you should also take a look at the lighting at home. In India, homes tend to have harsh, white tube lighting, which people generally take for granted. Soft lighting, however, has been discovered to have a very soothing effect. You can accomplish this by switching to golden (yellow) glow light bulbs and tube lights the next time you need new ones.

Lastly, be sure to reduce electronics in your child’s life. Electronic devices in bedrooms (even when they are just charging) affect sleep and in turn create more anxiety and disruptive behavior during the day.

Reduce Your Mess to Decrease Stress: Visual clutter has been found to stimulate stress and anxiety as well as bombard our minds with an excess of stimuli. This can be distracting for children with ADHD so it’s important that you keep your home organized and clutter-free. Encourage your child to keep her toys hidden away in storage spaces (a box under the bed is a good idea) and that countertops are free of stuff. This will help free her mind of clutter and its associated anxiety.

Create Designated Quiet Areas: We all need a place where we can relax and find peace, and this is certainly true for children with ADHD. Your child will want a place where they can go to deal with emotions, calm down, and simply detach themselves from the hustle and bustle of the world. Many homes have a prayer corner or a meditation area which everyone understands is meant for quiet, peaceful time away from the regular routine – you could extend this area’s use for your child to settle and collect himself whenever needed. But don’t ever make their quiet place somewhere they have to go when they have been naughty. You don’t want to confuse punishment and relaxation.

Ultimately, the more important factor for developing an ADHD-friendly home is structure and organization. You child should know where he or she can go to relax and have the area be organized enough to calm their mind. As long as you follow these steps, you’ll be able to create a friendly and positive environment for your child. – by Jane Sandwood

Jane Sandwood is a professional freelance writer with over 10 years’ experience. Although Jane writes across many fields, her particular interests at the moment focus on young people, learning and development and she has donated her writing talent to create this resource for our website.