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Tips for Families Dealing with ADHD

Practical tips designed to help families at school and at home

  1. Create a schedule. Try to follow the same routine every day.
  2. Post a copy of the schedule to provide visual reinforcement. Post the schedule in a prominent place so your child can see where he or she is expected to be during the day and when it's time for homework, play, and chores.
  3. Try to keep tasks simple. Try not to have too many things on the schedule for your child to remember. This way, he or she has a better chance of completing each task, which can provide a sense of accomplishment.
  4. Help your child get organized. Work with your child to create a "home" for his or her backpack, toys, and clothing so these items will be less likely to get lost. Give your child a checklist that he or she can refer to before coming home from school, to help your child remember to bring home important papers and homework assignments.
  5. Always try to use brief, clear directions. For example, when reminding your child to pick up his or her clothes, consider saying, "please pick up your clothes" instead of "it would be nice if you picked up your clothes."
  6. Limit distractions. It may help to have the TV, radio, and computer games off when your child is performing tasks that require concentration, especially homework.
  7. Offer choices so your child feels involved in making decisions. However, it's best to offer no more than two alternatives so that he or she isn't overwhelmed or overstimulated.

Facing ADHD