If you have a child with ADHD, chances are you have to repeat directions over and over again—and your child still doesn’t do as you asked. Children with ADHD have trouble understanding and following steps in a process. Their brains have difficulty grasping a sequence of events, which leads to disorganization. Daily home schedules can help increase awareness and organization and can also help a child with ADHD know what to expect and how to follow instructions.
First, make a list of daily routines, such as teeth brushing and getting dressed. Post it somewhere visible in the house, such as on the refrigerator. Keep each step simple and clear, such as “brush teeth” or “clean room.” If you have a small child who can’t read, use pictures instead of words. If your child has trouble remembering what should happen next, direct them to the list. You can also offer rewards or praise for completing tasks.
Mornings can be frustrating if you’re disorganized. Create a specific routine for getting ready and out the door. Have your child perform tasks in a specific order, for example: put on your clothes, brush your teeth and hair, make your bed, and eat breakfast. This will save you from having to direct the child every time they finish a task.
If your child is off task or asks, “What should I do next?”point to the chart or schedule. If your time is limited in the morning, have your child set clothes out the night before or pack belongings for school ahead of time.
Children with ADHD often have trouble falling asleep. This may be due to abnormal REM sleep patterns or stimulation from medications. Help your child sleep better by developing a regular bedtime routine.
First, create a calm environment conducive to sleep. Dim the lights, reduce noise, and lower the temperature. Then, read your child a story, listen to calm music, or do whatever helps them relax. Make sure your child gets to bed at the same time every night, even on the weekends.
Watching your child do homework can be unbearable. It takes a long time and you have to direct your child to focus constantly. A homework routine can help.
Have your child do schoolwork in the same space and time each day. Set a timer and have your child work in short segments. The younger the child, the shorter amount of time. Allow them to take breaks between segments.
Once your child is finished with homework, have them put it away immediately, such as in a backpack or special folder, to emphasize completion.
Creating an Environment with Limited Distractions
Children with ADHD are lost when it comes to organization. Being surrounded by constant clutter can lead to further distraction. They need a clean, organized environment so that their minds have fewer opportunities to wander.
Use bins, shelves, or other containers to organize toys and books in the home. Then, use pictures or labels to identify the containers. Research supports the idea that increased organization—in the classroom and home—directly affects school performance. Encourage your child to participate in cleanup on a regular basis to foster organizational skills.
To eliminate distractions, you need to identify your child’s key triggers. TV, cell phones, and scattered toys all can cause your child to be less focused. However, for some children, background noise such as TV or music at a low volume can actually aid in concentration. Be aware of what causes your child to become distracted, and then slowly eliminate these factors at times when your child needs to concentrate, such as during homework or chore time.
Designate a Quiet Place to Study
With your child’s help, find a place that is comfortable, relaxing, and where homework can be done with minimal distractions. Make sure that the area is well lit and has plenty of school supplies. It might take a few tries to locate the right spot. Once you do, have your child work there every day.
ADHD and College
For teenagers, the transition from high school to college is an exciting and scary time. For adolescents with ADHD who don’t deal well with change, moving to college can be a source of anxiety and confusion. There will be more opportunities for distraction and less structure—especially if your child plans to live away from home.
Begin Preparing Early
Like many teenagers, kids with ADHD often put off the kind of tasks that college applications require. Some students with ADHD have trouble planning or committing to important deadlines. Help your child navigate the college maze by creating a long-term schedule of application deadlines and a checklist of what your child needs to complete each application.
Your child should also prepare for the ACT and SAT as early as possible. Some experts recommend beginning as early as junior year of high school. If you have accommodations for testing written in an IEP or Section 504—programs that offer specialized instructions and related services for students with an identified disability—you need to contact the test administrator in advance to make sure you meet all the necessary requirements.
Find a College that Matches Your Child’s Needs
As you visit college campuses and conduct research, focus on schools that match your teen’s individual learning style and goals. For instance, does your child learn best from lectures or through hands-on research? Are the college’s population and campus large or small? For some, living at home while attending a local junior college may be the best option. This will allow them to draw on structured support at home while learning to navigate a new educational environment on a less intimidating scale.
Find Support Services
Once your teen has chosen a college, it’s time to find on-campus support. Most colleges and universities offer services for students with learning disabilities. Try to visit the college over the summer and inquire about various support services (sometimes called Student Disability Services).
Determine if accommodations such as alternative testing or individual tutoring are available. Inquire about the college’s writing resource center if your child struggles with writing assignments. Service staff can also help your child communicate special needs to professors, such as extra test taking time, or specific seating. Make a separate plan with your teen to ensure that this is addressed for all classes.
Managing Time and Schedules
Before leaving for school, discuss with your teen how they’ll manage their time, schedules, and workload. There is a lot of free, unstructured time in college, and the workload for a full-time student can be hefty. Create a plan for studying and balancing a social life.
You can’t micromanage from afar, but you can help your child develop a daily routine based on their class schedule. Stay in touch and check-in often. The first semester is usually the most difficult, so set up a line of communication via phone, e-mail, or Skype.