Tips for Helping Your ADHD Child With Homework

Children with attention deficit hyperactivityportion.o Use White Noise: White noise, such as
disorder (ADHD) often have difficulty sitting stillthe humming of a fan, helps an ADHD child
and concentrating. They feel the urge to moveconcentrate.o Write It Down: ADHD children often
around continually. Everyday items such as aforget homework assignments seconds after
ticking clock, the movement of the rustling leaves,being told the tasks. Purchase an agenda book or
the wind outside, and the dripping of a leakyschool planner to track assignments. Teach your
faucet are enough to distract attention fromchild to use it daily.o Keep a Schedule: Routine
homework.schedules make a big difference in children with
Parents can help an ADHD child complete itADHD. Setting a time for it every day allows the
without resorting to yelling and threateningchild to prepare for the activity. Be sure to select
punishment. Understanding the thought anda period when your child's concentration levels are
behavior pattern differences in their child equipsthe greatest.
parents to help a young one complete homeworkHomework Tips for Kids with Hyperactivity
in a reasonable timeframe and retain a greaterDisordero Frequent Breaks: Allow the child to take
level of knowledge.a break at set intervals during homework time.
Not all ADHD children are alike. Some have minimalThis relieves the desire to move around, fostering
hyperactivity symptoms; others may focus well,greater concentration.o Burn off Excess Energy:
but have difficulty controlling their moods andAllow the child a few minutes of free time,
physical actions. A different approach treats eachpreferable outdoors and prior to the homework
type of behavior.session. Transition to the time by slowly
Homework Tips for Kids with Attention Deficitdecreasing physical activity until the child is able to
Problemso Remove Obvious Distractions: Turn offsit still to work on assignments.o Use Index Cards:
the television and radio, remove siblings from theWrite out spelling words, memorization items, or
room and close the blinds before beginningkey facts on index cards that the child can flip
homework.o Use an Egg Timer: An egg timerthrough while standing or walking around the
provides continuous visual cues to help the childroom.o Try Standing Up: Use a podium for
pace progress and stay on task.o Verbal Cues: Ifcompleting this instead of a desk and chair. This
you catch your child daydreaming or fidgeting withmay allow the child to expend small amounts of
school supplies, gently remind them to return tophysical energy while allowing him to complete
the task of completing their homework.o Breakhomework in a timely manner.
Down Large Assignments: Large assignments canWhen helping an ADHD child complete homework,
be overwhelming to a child with attention deficitbe sure to give frequent words of praise for
disorder. Parents should break these largeeach small accomplishment. Patience,
assignments into smaller, manageable chunks. Thisencouragement, and understanding are necessary
also helps create an ongoing sense ofin dealing with these extraordinary children.
accomplishment as the child completes each