Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects the ability to focus, pay attention, and remember. It can also make it difficult for children to connect with others their age.
There are many things that can make school difficult. There are some things you can do to make school easier for your child.
Parents' Perspective on ADHD and School Success
To help your child, it is important to know the laws, regulations, and policies that are in place.
Your Child's Rights There are two federal laws that ensure children with disabilities receive a "free, appropriate education." Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act require schools to provide services and help their students learn.
504 plan. This document will outline other ways that the school can support your child if they don't require an IEP. These plans are customized to meet the needs of each child. The plans don't alter what is being taught in the classroom. Your child might:
- Extra time for tests and schoolwork
- Listen to audiobooks as an alternative to reading.
- Verbalize your answers instead of writing them down for a test.
- Tests should be taken in a room that is less distracting or with a smaller number of students.
- You can get speech therapy, occupational Therapy, or counseling.
There is no standard procedure for obtaining a 504 plan. Each school is responsible for determining what a 504 plan looks like. Contact the school district to find out if a plan could help your child.
Find out about the policies and services available in your child's classroom. Write to your child’s principal, requesting an evaluation. Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) provides an example letter on its website.
Social skills groups are also offered by many public schools. They are usually small groups of two to eight children, led by a school psychologist. These groups can teach kids how to interact with others and deal with certain social situations.
How to Start at a New High School
Are you the parent of a child who is starting school in middle or high school? You moved over the summer. It can be difficult for a child with ADHD to make such a big change.
Contact the school as soon as possible to make it easier. You can help the school match your child's abilities and learning styles with classes and teachers.
Contact the school to arrange for a copy of your child's report card, test results, and notes. You should meet with your child's teacher and the guidance counselor. You may have to update the 504 Plan, IEP, or create a new plan.
You and your child can take a school tour with the guidance counselor. Meeting with the teacher, principal, nurse, and others your child will interact with daily is important. You can walk your child through the entire school day so that they will know what to do and when. Try to set up a playdate with another child from your child's class.
You can prepare for this transition by planning ahead and practicing at home. This will allow you to feel more comfortable on the first day.
Talk with teachers.
Talk about your child’s goals and needs, and ask what you can do to support them. You could let them sit up front, away from windows and doors. This can help them stay focused and avoid distractions. Also, the teacher can see if there is any need for help. You can ask for a copy of the schedule. It's possible you will want to buy a second book set to keep at home. Discuss different teaching methods to keep your child's interest.
It is important to work together. It shows that your child's most important adult has their back. Here are some tips on how to create a successful parent-teacher partnership:
Face-to-face discussions Schedule meetings early in the year to discuss how ADHD impacts your child. Your child's case is different from everyone else's. Keep a positive attitude. Focus on their strengths instead of their problems. Avoid saying, "He doesn't listen," and instead say, "I notice that Johnny is more attentive when we are in a quiet place, and he looks at me."
Stay in touch. Ask your child about their behavior and schoolwork. Ask the teacher how much homework they plan to assign every night. Ask for extra help if you want your child to finish their homework or have extra time for tests.
Check the teacher's website for any upcoming projects or tests. You can ask the teacher for advice on the best way to prepare and organize your child well in advance of the deadlines. You and your child can avoid a meltdown at the last minute.
Use tact. Select your words carefully to avoid putting a teacher on defense.
Instead of: Why aren't you helping Johnny complete his school assignments?
You can try this: "I am concerned that Johnny has to finish his classwork at school." What can we do to make him more productive at school?
Do not take anything personally. Your child may be called to say that they are disrupting the class or aren't paying attention. Do not lash out at the messenger. You can also talk about the solutions. It may be helpful to do simple things, such as changing their seating arrangement or giving them instructions one at a time.
Inform teachers and administrators if you change or start ADHD medication. You can ask them to watch for any side effects and if the medication is helping. Let them know about any major changes at home, such as a death or divorce. These things can have a significant impact on a child's behavior.
Shared goals. Many ADHD Symptoms can affect your child both inside and outside of school. You can brainstorm with your child's teacher to find ways that they can stay on track at both home and school. By using the same tools, you can create a connection between home and school.
Bring a list of important questions to the parent-teacher conference. Sort test results, report cards, and notes from teachers into a binder. This will make it easy to find them.
Get involved. Volunteer to help with a field trip or in the library. This will demonstrate to your child and the teacher that you are involved in the school. You'll also get to see how your child is interacting with the school.
Thank a teacher. If a teacher takes the time to help and understand your child, send a note of appreciation.
You can also encourage your child's positive behavior by posting a daily schedule and a written plan on the wall or desk.
You Can Do It At home.
Create a home routine to help your child feel supported.
Start waking your child up earlier every day if they slept in during the summer. So they won't feel groggy at school. Set their bedtime earlier every night so that they get enough rest.
If you have taken a summer break, start them on their ADHD medication.
Create a morning routine. Place a list on your fridge or anywhere that your child can see it. Before they leave the house, write down:
- Get dressed.
- Make your bed.
- Breakfast is available in.
- Pack your homework.
- Bring your lunch, backpack, shoes, and jacket.
Sample morning and nighttime schedules for your child with ADHD.
Stay organized. Help your child keep up with homework. Some great tools to help you organize include:
- Calendar or Daily Planner
- Post due dates on a dry-erase board or bulletin board.
- Keep their workspace neat and distraction-free with a desk organizer and storage bins.
- Keep assignments organized with color-coded folders and multi-pocket binders.
Make a list of supplies that you will need for the upcoming school year. Your Guide to Solving School Disorganization
Create a homework area where your child will be able to do his homework each day. It should be away from any distractions, such as TV and noisy siblings. Some kids find it easier to monitor their activities at the kitchen table, where you can easily keep an eye on them.
Seats should be oriented towards a wall and not a window. A white noise generator, such as an MP3 player or a fan, can be used to drown out background sounds and keep the mind focused on work.
It may be difficult to separate siblings if you are monitoring more than one. Keep in mind that each child may have their own needs.
Allow them to take breaks every 10–20 minutes to move around. Be sure that these breaks do not involve screens, such as those on the TV or phone. Then, have them do three 20-minute sessions separated by playtime or a snack. You can also switch subjects, such as math for 20 minutes and English for another 20. Then go back to math. You'll see a decrease in the amount of struggle and an improvement in their work.
Create a calendar for assignments and activities. Let them know what assignments are most important. You could color-code things to indicate priority. Include after-school activities, sports, music classes, and regular playdates. Include special tests and projects as they arise. Make sure to leave time for homework and fun in addition to the daily schedule.
Allow them to help you design the schedule. This will give them a feeling of ownership and control. You can go over the schedule every day until your child understands the routine. You can use an app for your child to manage tasks and organize their time.
If your child can spend time being active before and after school, they will be more focused at school and home. It can also improve their sleep, which will help them with their focus and behavior.
Schedule studying around the medication. Children who take ADHD medications may be able to study better in the morning while the drugs are still in effect. After the drugs wear off, they may struggle later in the evening.
Use rewards to motivate. These are not bribes. You can reward your child for a job well done. Encouragement can go a very long way. Some parents reward their children for doing their homework with currency, such as poker chips. You can give your child the poker chips in exchange for other rewards, like time spent watching TV or playing video games.
Ensure that homework is returned. Your child may spend hours doing homework but forget or lose it. A binder system with pockets to hold new assignments and completed homework can be helpful in getting the papers finished.
Stay on top of your assignments. A child with ADHD is likely to miss deadlines or misunderstand directions. Create a backup plan. Weekly or daily, talk to your child's teachers about upcoming tasks.
Some teachers upload homework to the Internet. Some teachers may send you copies of the assignments via email. You can ask the teacher to inform you if there is any homework that has been missed or is late.
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