A new school year can be overwhelming for any student, but for kids with ADHD, preparation is especially important. A thoughtful plan now can make the difference between constant catch-up and a confident start.
One of the first things you should do is make an appointment with your child’s school. “If possible, try to do this before the year starts,” says Chanel V. Thompson-Rogers, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Rutgers Health New Jersey Medical School in Newark. “You need to discuss what you know to be your child’s challenges and strengths so that you can work together to help your child be successful in the classroom.”
If this is new to you, make sure your child’s doctor submits a letter to the school to indicate your child has been diagnosed with ADHD so that he or she can receive adjustments, or accommodations, under a 504 plan. “In theory, this gives the child basic accommodations to level the playing field for learning,” says Richard Selznick, PhD, director of Cooper Learning Center at Cooper University Health Care in Voorhees Twp., and author of The Shut-Down Learner. “The plan can include modifications such as having an inattentive child sit at the front of the classroom or receive extra time on tests and assignments.”
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is another tool that allows your child to receive additional support if they are determined to be eligible. This program offers kids specialized instruction, such as in small groups, to help the child learn. IEPs should be reevaluated annually, though you can reach out to the school any time you have a concern, says Dr. Thompson-Rogers.
Here’s what else you can to do start the school year off on the right foot:
PRIORITIZE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. Make sure kids are getting to bed on time, eating breakfast before school, and getting outdoors to play and exercise every day. “We know activity is important, but it’s especially important for kids with ADHD,” says Dr. Thompson- Rogers. “These kids have lots of energy they need to get out.” Good nutrition also plays a part: Ditch the processed and high-fat foods and caffeine. “These all can sway mood in any child, but there can be a snowball effect in kids with ADHD,” she says.
STICK TO A SCHEDULE. “Routines are very helpful because kids know they’ll be doing the same things at the same time every day, which feels reassuring to them,” says Dr. Thompson-Rogers. For example, establish a bedtime ritual: Two hours before bed, electronics are turned off. Then a bath or shower, followed by snuggling or reading a book or whatever other relaxing (non-digital) activities appeal to your kid to wind down. The idea is to follow the same sequence of events every night.
PROVIDE STRUCTURE. “For kids with ADHD, when things are not organized, their day falls apart for them,” says Dr. Thompson- Rogers. Get organized the night before so it’s not a wild scramble the next morning. For example, pack lunches and backpacks, choose clothes, and set out dishes and flatware for breakfast. Keep a landing place right by the door where everyone (you, too!) can grab what they need as they head out in the morning.
USE VISUAL CUES. Kids with ADHD often benefit from having something they can see to guide their activities. Little kids may find color-coded labels on folders helpful, with one color for math, another for writing. Older kids can use a daily planner, even one that’s digital. Charts, such as a large whiteboard with dates and appointments, also can be useful. “These types of tools allow kids to function more independently,” says Dr. Thompson-Rogers.
TEACH KIDS RELAXATION STRATEGIES. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, stretching or deep breathing exercises can help kids chill out. “These tools give kids a strategy to sit down and refocus themselves,” says Dr. Thompson-Rogers.
GET YOUR KID EXTRA SUPPORT, IF NECESSARY. Some kids may benefit from executive function coaching, says Dr. Thompson- Rogers. A trained mental health professional helps your child learn new behaviors and habits to work on memory, task and time management and other executive functions. Check with your insurance company for coverage.
DON’T OVERSCHEDULE YOUR KID. Sports and activities can be a positive part of your child’s life but sometimes being overscheduled is not productive. Kids (and you!) need downtime, too. “Let kids do other stuff, and just be kids,” says Dr. Selznick.
DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER. Check in periodically. “It’s not about overwhelming the teacher with complicated instructions but about keeping things front and center in the teacher’s mind,” says Dr. Selznick. Choose two or three key things that you know will be most helpful for your child, such as having the teacher repeat instructions or giving your child more time for some tasks. Then reinforce these with the teacher.
TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S DOCTOR ABOUT MEDICATION. It’s worth considering for some kids, but understand that it’s not a magic potion that solves all your child’s challenges. “Some kids do benefit from medication because it helps them focus, and medications can be a partial answer, but that doesn’t address reading skills or social issues,” says Dr. Selznick. Consider medications as a potential tool, but don’t assume every child should be on them or that they solve everything.
MANAGE YOUR OWN STRESS. It’s easy to get frazzled when you’re juggling life and your child’s ADHD challenges. But don’t forget that every child has strengths, too. When you start to feel overwhelmed, step back and dial it down because kids pick up on that, says Dr. Selznick. When you’re more relaxed, they will be, too.
— Arricca Elin SanSone is a health and lifestyle writer.
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