Get Your ADD/ADHD Child Ready to Go Back to School

By:
Sandy Maynard

Provided by:  

Summer's coming to an end. Don't wait until the zero-hour to get organized. A few simple preparations during those last few weeks will help ease your ADD/ADHD child's transition back to school.

 

 

The grade school student

Don't expect children with ADD/ADHD to readjust to school-year rules at the drop of a hat. Here are some rules of thumb:

• Set a bedtime. At least two weeks before school (even if you're on vacation), establish a realistic bedtime that allows your child enough rest and time in the morning to stay on schedule.
  
  
• Get organized. For the ADD/ADHD child, it's never too early to start learning organization skills. Let him help get his room and study area ready for the school year.
  
  
• Buy supplies. Go through each closet and dresser with your child, removing the clothes he has outgrown and making a list of what is needed. Shop early, and buy multiples of basic school supplies so there are extras in case something gets lost — and when ADD's in the picture, something always gets lost!

The high school student

Teenagers will most likely want to do their own thing to prepare for school. But these communication points are key:

• Set a budget. Before buying back-to-school clothes and supplies, have your child make a list for you to review. Talk with her about the budget, and give her a calculator to keep track of what she spends.
  
  
• Establish study habits. Talk with your teenager about study time before the first report card. Post study rules as a reminder, and agree upon what will be in her best interest. Some students study best with music in the background, but avoid allowing the TV to be turned on during study hours.
  
  
• Create routines. Structure and routine are the keys to success for an ADD/ADHD student, so talk with your teen about how to go about this. Be clear about the consequences that will result when the rules are disregarded, and don't be afraid to get tough.
  
  
• Give rewards. When you see your child following through with her study commitments, compliment and reward her. By keeping the communication lines open, you can share in the excitement of her high school years.

The college student

For the college-bound ADD/ADHD student, there's more to getting ready for classes than just organizing the study area. Here's where to start:

• Choose your courses. If you don't get to enroll in a class before it fills up, you might be left making an impulsive or inappropriate decision about which classes to take. Take time over the summer to look at the course schedule, and register early.
  
  
• Monitor finances. Check on financial aid, tuition and other fees. You don't want to arrive on the first day of classes to find your enrollment has been canceled because someone forgot to sign a form or pay a bill. If you work during the semester, investigate job openings and apply well in advance -- by the time school starts, most part-time positions in college towns are filled.
  
  
• Get started early. Pack and leave early so you can scout out the essentials near your dormitory or apartment. Check out the laundromat, cafeteria, grocery store and bank. Once you're there, begin unpacking immediately. Take your schedule to the campus bookstore and find your textbooks before the first week of classes.
  

The start of a brand-new school year is stressful for students at any level but can be especially jarring to ADD/ADHD kids who just got used to summer's calmer pace. Helping your child by slowly implementing new schedules and organization before class starts will make the changes less frenetic and studying easier to cope with.