ADHD Strategies

Strategies for helping your child with ADHD in school (these will vary depending on the age of the child):

Set the tone for a good day by being positive and supportive of your child.

Before going to school, parents can their help child identify his goals for the day (i.e. to pay attention to the teacher, to ask questions if they don’t understand, to write down or turn in homework assignments, to respect classmates, etc.)

Parents can ask that the child be seated near the teacher when feasible.

Prepare your child for any changes or transitions in his day by telling him what will happen, when it will occur, and what he needs to do.

Help your child improve his organizational skills with: use of daily planners, posted calendars with his upcoming activities, responsibilities, assignments, etc.; use of posted reminder notes ( on his desk, on his backpack, etc., to help remind him to bring to school all needed books, materials, homework, notes, etc.). Use color coded folders or binders for each subject area, always putting completed homework in its designated are to avoid misplacing it.

Have frequent or daily communication with teachers in the form of a communication notebook, email, the school website, etc.

Provide a non-distracting study area; you can make a study carol at home for your child using poster board;

To help your child learn, review or memorize school work be imaginative to maintain his attention; i.e. use a “Jeopardy” format, have him be “the teacher” and ask you the questions, use index cards to make flash cards for various subjects, use the computer to practice typing spelling words or vocabulary words and definitions, stand up, walk around, or shoot baskets, when reviewing facts for social studies, etc.

Make sure your child reads directions carefully and underlines or highlights what the directions are asking for, and decides what he needs to do before starting an assignment.

Give frequent short breaks with homework and reinforce the child’s accomplishments on each assignment;

Check your child’s back pack daily (or have him check it) to be sure things are not getting misplaced or overlooked;

Pack up the back pack the night before with your child (or have your child pack it) and place it near the door or in the car to avoid forgetting it the morning.

Remember to celebrate the child’s strengths while working to improve in subjects that challenge him.

Ask for help (from teachers, administrators, tutors, etc.)