14 Yr Old Interrupts Constantly!

There is a big difference between how you teach a kid with real ADD/ADHD not to interrupt and how you teach a kid without ADD/ADHD not to interrupt. If he really is ADD/ADHD, typical techniques are not going to work with him--like consequences, teaching him with the "How do you like it when I do it to you?" method, etc. because it is a matter of impulse control --not a matter of bad manners--two very different things. Your best bet would be to google other symptoms of ADD/ADHD to see if anything else fits because how you handle it will vary greatly as well as your results. As the adult woman with ADD said, it is still hard for her at 30. Her family has learned to be tolerant and forgiving. Lots of kids with ADD/ADHD are smart--and even gifted, so being smart and having ADHD is not rare. If he is truly undiagnosed and living with ADHD, think how frustrating it must be for him to live in a world where you are expected to wait calmly, sit and be still and listen without talking when his brain is not wired to do those things naturally. I have an ADHD husband and daughter (both unmedicated as of yet) so I am quite familiar with the frustration of being interrupted but I have also learned to have patience and tolerance for those who behave in ways that "typical" people find challenging.

I would wait until he is in the middle of saying something, and VERY rudely interrupt him with a totally different subject. When he gets cut off, I would quietly ask him how that felt to him. We raise our kids by the Golden Rule---treat others as you would have them treat you. What he's doing is not just rude, it shows a selfish attitude and a disregard for others---I'm more important than you. "Taking turns" is taught in kindergarten and is a must in polite society. We do it every day without even realizing it. At the bank, any ticket line, at the grocery store, at stop signs and traffic lights----the list goes on and on. Our job as parents is to teach our kids how to function in society as responsible adults. (And I would have a serious talk with the grandparents. They are making this harder by indulging him. They want to be liked, but allowing poor behavior doesn't help the boy. You all need to be on the same page.)

I am an adult with ADD and it is a constant battel to stop myself from interupting!

i think part of the reason i do it is because the more active i am in a conversation (interupting, leading it or finishing peoples sentences) the easier it is for me to focus and keep up so my thoughts don't wander and i miss whats being said. (though, sometimes it is just those very wandering thoughts that make me interupt)

it is rude and annoying and i am embarrased by it and want to stop, but even that very basic of impulse control is still very hard for me at 30.

it was better when i was medicated, but ADD meds are basicly anphetamines, and are very addictive, costly, and long term use is not good for your health. unless he is compleatly lost at school i would not even concider them!

i cope now with out meds, but a certain amount of social indiscretions my loved ones have, no doubt, just learned to live with and forgive. it helps that i am older and know that about myself and i like to think that the other aspects of my nature and personality make up for my quirks, how ever rude they sometimes may be.

I may often be annoying, and even rude with out meaning to be. but i am also smart, and kind, loyal, loving, hard working, creative, and generous.

and something tells me you could probably form a list like that for him too.
maybe you should give that a try next time you are frustraited.

something i remember my mom doing when we were in situations when i really did not need to interrupt and would do so with out thinking, is to discreatly touch my arm. you could do this in social situations and it would remind him with out embarrasing him.

also keep in mind, if he acts like he doesnt care that he is being rude, it may be a defence mecanisim.
ADHD is very damaging to self esteem, (you know ur different and you know everyone else does too) and it is not uncommon to act like you dont care! I spent years makeing it look like all the impulsive/selfish-seaming things i did were on purpose when they weren't.

Yep, tell him when he enters a room, or when he hears people talking to keep his mouth closed............AND, tell him to LISTEN to what people are saying.......sounds like to me, that he is in his own world, and not listening........does he hold decent conversations? Tell him God gave him two ears and one mouth.......

Another thing.....if he is talking, interrupt him.........does this bother him.......? Especially if he is talking to a friend or his father? Is so, show him what you are trying to explain to him.............

If he is a talker, tell him to become a listener.........also, reward him for this........something small, favorite dinner, some incentive to do what you ask...............

As for the grandparents, you need to tell them to please not do that, you are trying to teach him to be polite and they are not helping the matter...........they may not like you saying it, but if they know you are trying to help their grandchild, they should respect it!!!!!!!!! If not, then tell him they are trying to be nice.....and that he is still being rude..........if you need to, ground him while he is with you.......take away his favorite thing, or don't do something he wants...........he needs to learn there are consequences for things including being rude...........in today's world, it can get you shot!

Take care and good luck.........

Look at the people that have gotten flowers.

First, get the grandparents on board. They should be helping you to teach him and they are not. If you were teaching him to be honest and they were teaching to steal would you say something?

Some one else said he has to practice self control at age 30 so he won't interrupt others. So do I. You will be helping him tremendously if you are able to teach him.

Good luck to you.