5 Tips To Help Kids With ADHD Do Their Homework

Homework can be a challenging task for children with ADHD. Struggles with focus, organization, and impulsivity can make completing assignments super overwhelming. However, with strategies and support, parents and educators can make homework a more manageable and successful experience. I've got five effective tips to help kids with ADHD do their homework with greater ease and efficiency. Actually - there are more than 5 tips... because I have ADHD and have many ideas link together. HA!

Establish a Consistent Homework Routine

Creating a structured and consistent homework routine is crucial for children with ADHD as it plays a significant role in helping them develop essential time management, planning, and organization skills. By establishing a dedicated time and space for homework, free from distractions like toys, screens, or loud noises, you are creating an environment that helps them direct attention to their homework.

Another strategy to consider: Break down assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks. This not only helps to manage overwhelm but also enables kids to approach their work in a more systematic and organized manner and feel successful as they complete each smaller task.

Lastly, providing regular breaks during study sessions can be beneficial in maintaining focus and reducing mental fatigue, ultimately leading to more productive and successful learning outcomes. A "Time Timer" is an excellent investment because it is visual: it helps their brains to see the time decreasing. Your child's ADHD brain perceives that unenjoyable tasks take F-O-R-E-V-E-R. If they are able to 'see' time rather than 'feel' it, they will be able to work hard for a short amount of time. Check out them out. The POMODORO technique is a proven technique that can be useful. Read more about it here.

Help Kids with ADHD Use Virtual Aids And Checklists

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) commonly face challenges when it comes to organizing their tasks and determining priorities, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm and frustration. You may be nodding your head right now and recalling some big emotions from a recent homework experience!

One valuable approach is to use visual aids. You might experiment to find the ones that work for your child. A homework checklist or a visual schedule can serve as powerful tools to build organization skills. You can show your child how to create a list of assignments or tasks that need to be completed, so they: 1) Learn how to make a list 2) See and hear your thinking as you talk out loud about how to prioritize them. Marking off each item as it is finished provides a reward feeling for the ADHD brain too so that is an important step - it is super satisfying to a brain with ADHD, and it also reinforces the concept of task completion. For younger kids, these may be helpful for visual schedules.

Visual aids also help to build the executive function skill of SEQUENCING. They are exposed to the workflow involved in completing their tasks. By visually representing a sequence of steps, they can follow a logical progression of their work and develop a structured approach to tackling their assignments. This will help them in part-time jobs, post secondary transitions, and adult life.

Overall, I could write an entire blog just on the power of visual aids like homework checklists and visual schedules. In a nutshell, making something visual can be a game-changer for children with ADHD because it shows them what to do, requires less working memory (they don't have to hold the information in their brain), and decreases stress.

Create a Clutter-Free Homework Space to Help Your Kid with ADHD

An organized and clutter-free homework space is essential for creating an environment conducive to completing homework - especially if it is an unpreferred task. When a child's study area is tidy and free of distractions, it can help their brain identify what is important to focus on.

1. Provide easy access to essential materials such as pencils, erasers, and textbooks, you are facilitating a smoother workflow and reducing the chances of interruptions.

2. Utilize bins or dividers to categorize and store items to streamline organization; make it easier for the child to locate what they need quickly. This not only saves time but also promotes a sense of order and structure in their workspace.

3. Clear the area of unnecessary clutter and distractions. This is crucial in maintaining a productive study environment, so the child can maintain concentration on their work. When the brain gets sidetracked, your child has to use a lot of mental and emotional energy to transition back to the task.

4. Know what works for your child with lighting and seating. These are essential sensory aspects in creating a conducive homework space. I often tidy my space, light a candle, and turn on a lamp before I sit down to do a task. When there is time to chat with your child about these pieces, you are also creating an opportunity for them to access self awareness.

Break Tasks into Smaller Chunks:

If your kid often struggles with tasks that require sustained attention and organization particularly with unpreferred tasks, like HOMEWORK, then you know you are not alone. Larger assignments are daunting; too many steps with a deadline too far away causes them to procrastinate or feel overwhelmed (cue big emotions).

To support a child with ADHD in managing homework such as multi-step projects, it is beneficial to break it into smaller, more manageable segments. Bite-sized portions are achievable to a brain with ADHD and it will feel easier to get started. Once kids with ADHD get going on a task, they are usually able to keep going.

Encourage them to concentrate on one task at a time; multi-tasking is not effective. Help your child set achievable goals for each segment of the assignment; it give them a clear goal to work towards, and the likelihood of feeling accomplished with each completed step. You might ask them, "How much do you think you can complete in 10 mins?" and use the time timer clock. Additionally, offering regular feedback and praise for the EFFORT you see them putting in can boost the child's confidence and motivation.

Incorporate Movement Breaks and Rewards:

Kids with ADHD often struggle with sitting still for long periods. Incorporating movement breaks into the homework routine can help release excess energy and improve concentration. You can use the POMODORO method: a short 5 minute break for every 15-20 minutes of work to engage in physical activity, such as stretching or jumping jacks. This is a preferred alternative to rewarding your kid with screen time during breaks. If you have done this, you know why I am recommending you do not give your kids with ADHD a screen for 5-10 mins breaks. THEY WILL NOT WANT TO GET OFF THE SCREEN! And now you are in a tug-of-war to get them back to the homework.

Supporting kids with ADHD in their homework journey is a multifaceted task that requires a blend of patience, understanding, and getting to know what works for them with strategies and tools. It is crucial to establish a consistent routine that provides structure and predictability, helping them stay focused and on track. Visual aids can be incredibly beneficial in aiding their comprehension and retention of information, making learning more accessible and engaging. Creating an organized workspace is key to minimizing distractions and promoting productivity. By decluttering the environment and ensuring all necessary materials are within reach, children with ADHD can better concentrate on their tasks. Integrating movement breaks into study sessions can help kids with ADHD give their frontal lobe a break, release energy, and improve their focus when they return to the task. The short breaks allow them to recharge and approach tasks with renewed vigour. Offering rewards (verbal praise is a reward by the way!) for completing tasks can serve as positive reinforcement, motivating them to stay on track and complete their homework efficiently.

It is important to recognize that each child with ADHD is unique, with their own strengths, challenges, and abilities. Therefore, it is essential to use curiousity at every stage so you can adapt these strategies to suit their individual needs and preferences. With support and understanding, parents and educators can create opportunities for kids with ADHD to overcome obstacles and thrive, build and hone executive function skills, and get repeated evidence that they can figure out a way through something hard.

READING:

12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD by Dr. Russel Barkely

What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew by Dr. Sharon Saline

Parenting ADHD Now by Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster

SUPPORT:

Parent Counselling - HERE

Thanks for being here,

Rolynda Simpson M.Ed., CCC

Founder and Clinic Director