Helping your ADHD Student Adjust to School
As parents and teachers probably know, it can be hard to get even the neurotypical child to adjust to a new school schedule. This obstacle becomes harder when there are some neurodivergent barriers, such as those that come with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can be hard when parents and teachers are trying to handle multiple other tasks, and while the rest of the class is swimming, these neurodivergent students may be struggling to keep afloat.
Here are some ways that you can help these children:
We will start with things that teachers and the school can help change so that these children can start preforming at their best. The first will be behavioral classroom management, this sounds a lot more complex than it actually is, so don’t worry busy teachers. This approach helps to encourage the positive behaviors within your students, while discouraging the negative ones. This can be done through reward systems, such as a daily report card. It has been proven to increase engagement within the classroom and influence the child behavior, as they want to receive these good marks.
Another technique would be organizational training, this is teaching the students how to have good time management, organization of school supplies, and planning skills. This is used to reduce distractions within the classroom so that the child can remain alert but also learn some good life skills that will be needed throughout their lifetime.
Next, we will look at some accommodations that could be made for the ADHD child. These accommodations are something that parents, teachers, therapists, and school psychologists all get together to help personalize for the child. The two plans that are available for a student with ADHD are, an IEP and a 504 Plan. IEPs are more individualized to the child, whereas the 504 Plan changes the learning environment for the needs of the child. There are a lot of accommodations that come with these plans, such as, extra time on tests, tailored instruction, more breaks and time to move around, etc. If you think that this is a good idea for your child, we recommend speaking to your child’s therapist and school counselor to get started.
Here are some ways that parents can help their child succeed:
Remain calm and positive: when you are able to stay level-headed, it can be easier to connect to your child. Also, seeing you calm and relaxed gives your child a better understanding of what they should do. It allows for them to mirror you and learn what it is like to have a calm and positive attitude.
Don’t worry about them doing everything: Children have a lot going on in their lives once school is added to the mix. If they forget one or two things on their to-do list but completed their homework as well as 3 other items on their to-do list, congratulate them. If you strive for your child to be perfect, it can lead to constant dissatisfaction and your child will feel that disappointment.
Understand that your child is able to change: Make a list of all the amazing and unique qualities that your child has, and reiterate to yourself that they are able to succeed, even if it is hard for the both of you right now. Make a mantra or affirmation to say with your child while on the way to school, for example, “I can do hard things”
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/school-success.html