With another school year underway, parents and teachers of any of the six million children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, might notice that they are finding it challenging to keep up. Students might be struggling to pay attention, have trouble sitting still, or can’t control themselves. They may also have difficulty maintaining their focus on assignments at home—but there are things parents can do to offer help and support.
“People find ways to be very successful,” says Mariel Benjamin, a licensed clinical social worker and director of groups for the parenting platform Cooper. “There’s no reason kids with ADHD can’t be just as successful and gain skills in different areas. It can be really hard for you right now. Then next month, it could be something that’s great. And next year, it could be something else. That’s how development works.”
Here are some things parents of children diagnosed with ADHD can do to ease their frustrations throughout the school year.
Use a daily checklist for what to bring to school
Table of Contents
Lunch? Check. Homework? Check. Benjamin says that creating a daily, easy-to-use checklist is a must for kids diagnosed with ADHD to ease the frustrations of getting ready for school and help promote autonomy.
“It’s a tool for independence,” Benjamin says. “If we can honor consistency around that, we can help our kids to get really good at it. These are things that seem obvious, but if we don’t help our kids to be successful, then they won’t do that for themselves.”
Set a timer
Instilling a sense of urgency in children can be difficult. Still, if they are diagnosed with ADHD, it can be even more challenging to regulate their attention, manage their schedule, transition from one task to the next, and stay on track. Utilizing a visual or audio timer can help keep your child on track, whether it’s for homework or getting ready for school in the morning.
Stay organized
Remember Trapper Keepers? These magical binders, held together with three rings and a strip of Velcro, kept homework organized and safe in sturdy folders. When Benjamin starts explaining ways to manage homework and other projects, this Gen X school supply staple is the first thing that comes to mind. And yes, they’re still on the market, along with planner pages to help kids keep track of when their homework is due.
“An example might be having folders where homework goes in pockets that [students] can look at,” she says. “It also helps them stay really organized. You can even have a clean, organized place with all their materials where they do homework.”
But keeping things well-ordered shouldn’t be limited to a child’s backpack. A clean, organized locker with bins and shelves for books and belongings can help, too.
Don’t forget their preferred fidget toy
Getting children diagnosed with ADHD to focus on their schoolwork takes considerable effort, but putting a weighted ball on their lap or using a spinning toy can provide students the stimulation they need to allow their brains to focus elsewhere.
There was a time when teachers wouldn’t allow students to bring outside toys into the classroom, but many schools have moved away from those restrictions. Check with your child’s teacher, as bringing in a fidget toy or another item can be considered a reasonable accommodation under a 504 plan.
“Maybe they need a standing desk or a ball that they sit on instead of a hard chair, so they’re able to move their bodies, pay attention, and have focus,” Benjamin says.
Advocate for a 504 plan
Through a 504 plan, which falls under the Rehabilitation and Americans With Disabilities Act, your child’s school can make accommodations for children diagnosed with ADHD, such as extra assignment times or an adjusted schedule so that they can learn in a regular education classroom. You can work with your school so they can evaluate them for eligibility.