A child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) finds it difficult to concentrate and motivate himself for extended periods, so homework can be an overwhelming task. Devising strategies to help your child succeed in this area is crucial. Here are some expert tips on how to make homework easier for your child:
How your child's teacher can help
- See whether the teacher will help your child gather up his belongings at the end of the school day and sort out which books he'll need for homework.
- Find out if the school district will provide a second set of schoolbooks so your child can leave one at home and one at school, reducing the chances that he'll forget something.
- Ask his his teacher to email you or send a note home with his homework assignments so you'll have a copy to check against what your child's written down.
- Ask whether homework can be shortened. Lengthy assignments can be difficult for a child with ADHD since they require concentrating and focusing for long periods. For instance, instead of your child having to do 20 math problems each night, see whether the teacher will agree to your child doing ten.
Getting the timing right
- Choose the right time for homework. Many children with ADHD will need a break after school to help them unwind before doing homework. But try to get your child to work before dinner. Evening should be a time for the whole family to wind down from the day. Waiting to do homework until the end of the day can be trying for you and your child.
- If your child is on medication, make sure that it's not wearing off while he's attempting to get through his assignments.
- Have your child take frequent short breaks. Set a timer for, say, 20 minutes and let him know how much time he has to go before he can get a snack or shoot a few hoops outside.
- Track how long it takes your child to complete individual homework assignments. If he's spending an hour on an assignment that should really take only 15 minutes, some adjustments need to be made. In some cases, adjusting his medication, changing when your child does his homework, or talking to the teacher about shortening the assignments may help.
Motivating your child
- Have your child come to you after completing the first few questions or problems on his assignment so you can check whether he's doing them properly. Offer praise and then, if necessary, help him correct his work. This will give him the encouragement to keep working, and if you check early enough you can head off possible frustrations.
- When available, encourage your child to use books on tape to help with reading assignments. While these may seem to you like shortcuts or tools for cheating, they're really just different ways to help your child absorb information.
- Set up a reward system for things like remembering to bring home all the right books and completing homework before dinner, for example. Early grade-school children benefit the most when the rewards are tangible and immediate. For instance, you might give a reward ticket each time your child meets one of the criteria you've set up. These tickets can be turned in for the dessert of his choice that night or watching a favorite video.