Back to School with ADHD
Executive functioning skills are daily requirements for everyone, especially for school-age children who are required to be organized, pay attention, plan, and manage their time. Children with attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) often struggle with executive functioning tasks that can negatively impact their attitude towards school, academic achievement and performance, and overall emotional well-being. 
Common experiences of children with ADHD include:
- Difficulty remembering to submit or complete assignments
- Forgetting instructions
- Poor organizational skills and planning
- Avoidance of difficult or time consuming tasks
- Emotional dysregulation
It is imperative that preparations are made to provide skills and systems that will assist children with ADHD to have a successful school year and to enjoy learning.
Some steps to prepare your child with ADHD for the school year include:
- Create structure at home, teach and practice executive functioning skills.
- Encourage your child to make a to-do list for each day and check off items at the end of the day (parents can also create a list of their own and model this behavior for their child).
- Create a system that helps with organization of room and or study area, so items and books can be easily stored and located.
- Teach and model accountability by checking in at the beginning and end of the day.
- Allow appropriate natural consequences and implement logical consequences for behaviors.
- Allow your child to advocate for themselves at home, so that they will be confident to advocate at school.
- Work with your child to teach responsibility and develop skills.
- Play games that reinforce executive functioning skills (i.e. Jenga, Max, Distraction, AnimaLogic, and No Stress Chess).
- Maintain daily routine during days off and weekends.
- Get a neuropsychological assessment, so that school-based accommodations can be put in place.
Overall, ensure that your child is learning to manage their time, is building good habits, and is completing tasks.
NSPT offers services in Bucktown, Evanston, Deerfield, Lincolnwood, Glenview, Lake Bluff, Des Plaines, and Hinsdale! If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we would love to help! Give us a call at (877) 486-4140!
