The Camel's Schedule - a No No for ADHD

Many ADHD children (for that matter, non-ADHD’s) are hooked onto television or video games. In our wrestle for control of electronic exposure, we often say no TV and games during weekdays and reserve the privilege for the weekend.

On the surface, this looks like a great way of reducing the addictive effects of fast-moving images with thundering sounds, and the child might spend more time doing homework or develop other hobbies. But in fact, he or she is placed in what I call a Camel Schedule. They suffer from Monday to Thursday without the electronic water. But when they finally reach the oasis by Friday afternoon, they make up for it by drinking for three days straight - glued to the monitor!

Just like the camel, who lives for the oasis, a child under this schedule longs for the arrival of weekend. His television privilege is based on passage of time rather than achievement.

A much better device is to allow television privilege any day of the week but make it contingent on performance.

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