5 Ways To Help Your Child With ADHD During The School Year

Starting school can be very stressful for kids especially if your child deals with ADHD. Overcoming the challenges of ADHD in the classroom can be overwhelming whether they are going to a class in a public school, private school or home school. We have some parent-tested strategies to help ease the frustration and stress your child may deal with.

5 Ways To Deal With ADHD This School Year

With attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), kids often struggle with staying focused, hyperactivity, and impulses.

Whether they’re going to school at a public school or are homeschooled, these five tips can help you prep your kiddo with ADHD for the new school year and, in turn, help them succeed.

1. Create a School Routine

The number one thing kids with ADHD need as the school year gets underway? Routine and structure.

Chances are that you, as a parent, have made a decision about school. When you tell your kid about that decision, be excited. Tell them all about what school will be like now (even if you’re not completely excited yourself).

And then develop a routine/structure and share it with your kids. One way to do this is through a visual schedule that allows your child to see exactly what is coming up in their school day (such as this one).

2. Include Exercise In their Routine

Since kids with ADHD often have a hard time focusing, be sure to have some sort of exercise time available to them during their school day.

Exercise increases dopamine in the brain, which in turn helps them, at least in the short time, improve both focus and attention.

3. Limit Distractions

When ADHD kids struggle to focus and stay on task — and listen to the teacher, limiting distractions is key.

So, for example, give them a dedicated space for their “school time.” Something like this creative (and genius) idea to use tri-fold boards is a great way to keep the space clean and distraction free.

4. Offer Regular Positive Reinforcement

Adjusting to change is hard. Adapting to a new schedule and a new way of learning is hard. While positive reinforcement — and praising a child when they do something great — is helpful for any kiddo, it can be particularly helpful for a kid with ADHD.

Praising doesn’t just have to be over big things either; even praising a child when they get out of bed in time can make a world of difference to the rest of the day.

5. Adjust Their Treatment If Needed

With changes to the daily schedule and routine, changes in treatment may be needed as well. For some, who thrive with less scheduled in the day, they’ll need less medication. For others, who need a lot of activity, they may need more medication.

As always, be sure to consult with your child’s physician! They can also provide even more guidance in helping your child with the adjustment to the very unusual new school year.

Kids Activities Blog Has More ADHD Posts That Could Help

Looking for more posts about ADHD and how to help your child? We think you’ll like these posts!

• Did you know the FDA approved video games as a treatment for ADHD?
• You’re not alone, parenting a child with ADHD is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
• Fidget toys are a great option for children who deal with ADHD.
• My child actually uses a fidget spinner to help them focus and deal when they feel hyper.
• Exercise can help deal with the hyperactivity that comes with ADHD.

Have you tried any of these tips for kids with ADHD? Do you have any tips to share? We’d love to hear from you!