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School Year Survival Strategies for You and Your Child with ADHD
By Laura A. Rahn, CAPSW

Children with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, may have a more difficult time during the school year than children without ADHD. Children with ADHD may benefit from some simple tools that parents can use to help their child. The following are some suggestions for parents with children who have ADHD to help the school year go smoothly and successfully.

Children respond to a routine whether they have ADHD or not. Routines provide a sense of familiarity and comfort for children. An example of this is to have a morning, after school, and bedtime routine. A child with ADHD may respond more positively to a routine they can see. In that case, creating a chart that outlines the activities and times may work better for your child. For example, morning routine: up at 6:30, eat breakfast, take medicine, brush teeth, get dressed, and wait for the bus.

Organization can also be a challenge for children with ADHD. Panic can arise if a child, or parent, is unable to find homework that is due in class today or an over due library book. To help with organization, consider having a cork board and/or calendar to highlight important appointments or notes to be signed. Plan the night ahead by laying out clothing and shoes that will be worn the next day and put backpacks in a place that will be noticed by the child and parent, perhaps on a bench or chair by the front door.

Finally, communication is an important factor for the success of your child with ADHD. It is crucial that parents communicate with the school and their child's teachers. It will help the teachers to know about the child with ADHD and how they can help in the success of that child throughout the year. It will also be important for parents to hear from teachers on how their child with ADHD is doing in the classroom. This will provide parents with important information to use in supporting their child at home in the form of praise, rewards, and consequences. Furthermore, it is just as important for parents to communicate with their child with ADHD, to understand the needs of their child, to offer support, and to stay connected.

Children with ADHD may encounter challenges throughout the school year, but they can be minimized by following some of the suggestions listed above. When parents and children have routine, organization, and communication in their lives, they may have a better chance of success in school and at home.

For further support for children with ADHD who are having challenges at home, in school, and in their communities, Rogers Memorial Hospital, Child and Adolescent Day Treatment Program offers more intensive programming for children ages 7 through 11. This ADHD specific group room experience offers children individual, group and family therapy related to ADHD and each child’s individual needs. Your child will be provided with opportunities to learn skills such as organization, problem solving, coordination, self esteem, and peer relationship building. Medication evaluation is another option that can be discussed as part of your child's treatment, and there are nurses and psychiatrists on staff to address medication issues directly.

If you are interested in seeking further assistance for your child with ADHD, please contact Rogers Memorial Hospital at 1-800-767-4411.

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