10 Homework Strategies For Your Grade-Schooler With ADHD

Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) might talk too much, get easily bored or distracted, have a hard time resisting temptations, have trouble staying seated for a period of time and forget or lose things a lot. These behaviors can pose a great challenge for both parents and children when it comes to dealing with studies or homework. So how do we make it work? How can parents help children with ADHD successfully manage their homework?

So just in time for another schoolyear, we've created a list for you to help your gradeschoolers with ADHD deal with homework (and study) better!  

Top 10 homework strategies for your gradeschoolers with ADHD

1. Set the homework habit.

Parents will need to set up the routine after school. This means the parent will set up a specific time for homework time. One can literally set an alarm to indicate the start of the homework habit. Being consistent is the essence of establishing a routine. Consistency will also help your kids give focus and attention to this part of his/her schedule.

2. Schedule breaks.

Kids with ADHD can easily get bored or be lost in a daydream. This can make it hard for them to focus. Hence, giving them 10-15 minute breaks or allowing them to have snacks in between can help break monotony and so they can re-focus their energies back to studying. 

3. Find a homework space.

Part of the homework habit is finding a good space conducive for learning. Kids with ADHD get distracted easily, so try to find or create space with minimal noise or distraction. This way, they can keep their focus on more important things. 

4. Tidy up and organize.

Minimal distraction means there is a need for a clean and organized environment. That means school supplies are kept within reach and organized in containers. Containers need not be expensive as you can recycle jars or boxes--which you can label, too, so it's easy to recognize which school supplies are promptly needed. Color coding also helps so they can easily recognize that it's blue for "Math" and yellow for "Science" as examples. 

5. Offer praise and support.

When they do well, offer them positive feedback. Be specific about the things they did satisfactorily. It doesn't matter if it's big or small, what matters is that you recognize their efforts. You can also reward them with a treat if they really put their hearts into a particular homework or project.

When they need your help, be there to explain concepts or to provide encouragement. While gradeschoolers are expected to work independently, there is no harm letting your children know that if they're struggling, they can turn to you for support. 

Believe them so they can believe themselves. 

6. Get up, get moving.

Kids with ADHD sometimes have trouble sitting for long periods of time so allow them to walk around, stand up, go out of the room for a bit--to "re-alert the brain" and have a fresh start. If they're solving math problems, they can use a stress ball or wiggle/flex their toes to add some physical activity where they can channel spare energy.

7. Plan for long-term assignments.

Real challenge is when the homework needs a huge chunk of their time like a book report, for example. You can split the schedule per number of pages of the book against the time the written report needs to be done. This way, the homework won't be too overwhelming for your child. 

8. Revisit and review.

You can create a checklist for your child to ensure all assignments are accounted for. This can be part of your homework habit. Later on you can have your child do it for herself, ensuring all homework is done for the day. 

9. Know when to stop.

Habits take a while to form. Exercise compassion and know when your child has reached his/her limit. If your child gets too overwhelmed to continue, address the remaining homework later or the following day. 

10. Understand your child's learning style

Observe your child's learning style. If you notice that your child learns better with visual aids, then you can explain concepts with pictures, graphs, tables, drawings, or videos to better understand his/her assignment. Advise taking notes so she can picture in his/her mind what he/she just learned. 

READ ALSO: Is My Child Just Makulit or Does He Have ADHD?

All these tips but, kulang lang ba talaga sa pansin? 

Children will always be children-naturally, they could be rambunctious sometimes, they'd run around crazy, jump here and there, learn to misbehave, or be the exact total opposite and act like they're not hearing anything. So the common remark for those diagnosed with ADHD would be, "papansin lang" or "kulang sa pansin."

Studies show that ADHD is "relatively under-recognised and underdiagnosed in most countries." Globally, the average prevalence of the disorder is around 5%. Little do we know that if it is frustrating for the parents, it is equally frustrating for the child with ADHD as well. It is a real condition and it's not as simple as having them stop desperately asking for attention or "snap out of it" just like that.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD is "one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active."

Mayo Clinic states that there are three subtypes of ADHD classified as predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, and a combination of the two. Description of these subtypes are listed below. 

ADHD Subtypes

Predominantly inattentive

The majority of symptoms fall under inattention.

A child who shows a pattern of inattention may often:

• Fail to pay close attention to details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork
• Have trouble staying focused in tasks or play
• Appear not to listen, even when spoken to directly
• Have difficulty following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork or chores
• Have trouble organizing tasks and activities
• Avoid or dislike tasks that require focused mental effort, such as homework
• Lose items needed for tasks or activities, for example, toys, school assignments, pencils
• Be easily distracted
• Forget to do some daily activities, such as forgetting to do chores

Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive.

The majority of symptoms are hyperactive and impulsive.

A child who shows a pattern of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms may often:

• Fidget with or tap his or her hands or feet, or squirm in the seat
• Have difficulty staying seated in the classroom or in other situations
• Be on the go, in constant motion
• Run around or climb in situations when it's not appropriate
• Have trouble playing or doing an activity quietly
• Talk too much
• Blurt out answers, interrupting the questioner
• Have difficulty waiting for his or her turn
• Interrupt or intrude on others' conversations, games, or activities

Combined

This is a mix of inattentive symptoms and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms.

Compassion is key

At the end of the day, knowing these predominant behaviors exist and that your kid is not "misbehaving" on purpose, parents of children with ADHD will better understand how their children learn and work their way through learning. Compassion and consistency is key (and medical intervention, too).

(Disclaimer: The symptoms discussed are for general information purposes only. If you are concerned with your child's behavior or mental health, always consult a medical professional.)

Other Sources: Oxford Learning, ADDitude