how to help adhd kid with homework

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6 Ways a Child With ADHD Can Study Better

 No kid likes homework. But for a child with ADHD, homework time can be extra hard. Assignments that might take other kids an hour can take yours 2 or 3 -- or more.

Homework doesn't have to ruin your kid's day. And it doesn't have to turn you into a stressed out, nagging parent. A structured routine can help your son or daughter stay focused and on track.

1. Set up a homework station.

Choose one spot where your child can do their homework every day. Make sure it's away from distractions like noisy siblings, a phone, and the TV. (The kitchen table works well for some kids, since you can easily check in on them.)

The seat should face a wall, not a window. White noise, from an MP3 player or a fan, can help drown out sounds to keep their mind on the work.

Try to give siblings their own space, though this may be hard if you have to monitor more than one. Remember that different kids may have different needs.

2. Break up study time.

Does your child start strong, then sputter out? Split up assignments so they don’t have to do it all at once.

Instead of a solid hour, have them tackle three 20-minute sessions with playtime or a snack in between.

Or switch subjects: math for 20 minutes, then English for another 20, then back to math. They'll struggle less, and their work may improve.

3. Stay on schedule.

Kids with ADHD have trouble managing time. They also get off track easily. A schedule can help with both problems.

Ask your child to break down their homework into mini-assignments that take only a few minutes each. Then use an egg timer or alarm app to keep them on task for each section. Not only will it help them, but you won't have to nag as much.

Like the daily assignments, break down big, long-term projects (like a diorama or a book report) into simple steps. Set up a schedule with a due date for each step. These small deadlines will help them get the project done on time.

4. Plan studying around medication.

A child who takes ADHD medication may study better earlier in the afternoon, when the drugs are still in effect. They may have a hard time later in the evening, after they wear off.

5. Motivate with rewards.

They're not bribes. It's OK to reward your child when they do a good job. A little encouragement can go a long way.

Some parents set up a currency -- poker chips, for example -- in return for getting homework done. Your kid can turn the chips in later for rewards they like, such as time to watch TV or play a video game.

6. Make sure homework is handed in.

Your child might spend hours on their homework, then lose it or forget to hand it in. An organized binder or folder system, with pockets for new assignments and finished homework, can help get the papers across the finish line.

Keep on top of assignments.

This last one is a bonus for you. It's not uncommon for a kid with ADHD to miss a due date or misunderstand instructions. Create a backup plan. Talk to your child's teacher -- weekly or even daily -- about upcoming assignments.

Some teachers post homework on the Internet. Others may email copies of assignments directly to you. Ask the teacher to let you know about any late or missing homework.

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7 reasons kids with ADHD often rush through homework

Kids with attention challenges may race through homework for different reasons, like trouble staying engaged or noticing errors. Learn the reasons why and explore ways to help.

By Gail Belsky

Expert reviewed by Andrew Kahn, PsyD

Updated August 12, 2024

All kids rush through homework once in a while so they can get to the things they’d rather be doing. But for kids with ADHD , rushing can be an ongoing challenge that results in sloppy, incorrect, or incomplete work.

A key reason is that kids with ADHD struggle with executive function skills . They often have a hard time staying focused, managing their time, waiting, and monitoring their work. They may also be worn out after school.

Here are some of the most common reasons kids with ADHD race through their homework assignments.

1. Difficulty with self-monitoring

Kids use self-monitoring for things like checking to see if they understand the directions and proofreading their work. For kids with ADHD, the idea of sitting even longer to check for mistakes can be unbearable. They may also think it’s OK to just turn in their first effort, rather than spend more time making sure it’s correct and complete.

How to help: Get tips for helping kids slow down on homework in grade school and middle school .

2. Trouble holding on to information

Trouble with working memory can make it hard for kids with ADHD to keep information in mind as they do their homework. Instead of taking their time to think through their answers, they might scribble them out as fast as possible before they lose their train of thought. That can mean incomplete or even incorrect responses.

How to help: Use these working memory boosters .

3. Poor time management skills

When kids with ADHD have multiple assignments, they may have trouble gauging how much time to spend on each one. They also may hyperfocus on one task and then have a hard time moving on to the next. Having spent an hour on one assignment, they might speed through their remaining homework.

How to help: Show kids with ADHD how to develop a time management system .

4. Difficulty staying interested

Kids with ADHD have trouble with focus and often tune out quickly when tasks are tedious. Faced with a worksheet of 25 similar math problems, they might zoom through it carelessly because they’re bored.

How to help: Explore ways to help improve your child’s focus .

5. Trouble with self-control

Kids with ADHD can have a hard time putting off what they want, even if it’s better for them to wait. If they’re itching to play their new video game or watch TV, they might rush through homework without even thinking or caring about the fact that taking their time can result in better grades.

How to help: Get strategies to help kids gain self-control .

6. Medication rebound

If your child takes stimulants for ADHD, they might have medication rebound . As the medication wears off each day, they may have more trouble concentrating and getting stuff done. This tends to happen later in the day, which is often when kids are expected to do their homework.

How to help: Keep a daily log to help your child’s doctor fine-tune the medication.

7. Feeling defeated

Struggling at school can wear kids down and make them lose confidence. Over time, they may come to believe they won’t “get it.” Or that they won’t do well no matter how hard they try. If kids believe the outcome will be the same whether they spend 20 minutes or two hours on homework, they might not think it’s worth it to take the time to do a careful job.

How to help: Help your child develop a growth mindset .

Podcast: Homework battles

Get expert tips in this half-hour episode of Understood’s In It podcast . Listen as teachers and parents share strategies for handling homework challenges.

Explore related topics

Nine Homework Strategies for Kids with ADHD

Kids with ADHD

It’s that time of day again: your 8-year-old steps off the school bus with a backpack full of homework that will soon be sprawled across your kitchen table.

After a warm hug and a kiss on the head, you take a deep breath and clench your jaw in anticipation of the struggle to come.

Sound familiar?

When you’re a parent of a child with ADHD, homework time can feel like a burden … or even a battle.

But chances are, you’re also determined to do whatever it takes to help your child succeed, grow, and gain independence. So, day after day, you sit down beside her, determined and committed to work through the wiggling and the daydreaming to help her get the work done.

The good news is that with a little planning and some smart homework strategies, you can help make homework time smoother, more focused, and more successful for your child with attention challenges.

9 Strategies to Help Your Child with ADHD Concentrate

You and your child CAN do this, and it doesn’t have to be a battle.

Here are 9 straightforward strategies that you can implement today to help your child concentrate at home and get his or her work done.

Prepare Your Mindset

Before homework time even begins – preferably before your child even steps off the bus – take time to prepare yourself.

Take a few deep breaths, inhaling slowly through your nose, counting to 3, and then exhaling slowly through your mouth. Adopt a flexible mindset and be ready to adjust your strategies as you watch how your child transitions to homework time and how her needs change over time.

The most important thing you can do for your child with ADHD – or for any child, really – is be present, empathic, and supportive.

Above all, remember that even when the work feels tough, you’re both on the same team.

Set Realistic Expectations

After preparing your mindset, make sure you set expectations that match your child’s developmental level. Take a moment to reflect. Do you ask your 8-year-old with ADHD to finish 3 worksheets in one sitting? Or do you provide breaks?

If you’re asking too much of your child during homework time, one or both of you may end up in tears. However, setting realistic expectations can prevent frustration, disappointment, and conflict – and ultimately help your child succeed and grow little by little.

Reduce Distractions

Now that you’ve worked on your own mindset and expectations, it’s time for more detailed homework strategies.

Environment affects concentration. So, choose a homework space for your child with minimal sensory distractions. What can your child see, hear, and touch in the area that may interfere with focus?

Watch your child in that space. What seems to distract him from the work at hand? Is the desk next to a window, with squirrels and birds outside grabbing his attention? Does a sibling have music going in an adjacent room, with the noise reaching the homework space? Is the room too hot or cold?

If your child needs to work in a high-traffic area of the home, if siblings are nearby, or if other noises are difficult to control, consider using noise-canceling headphones. (And see tip #8 for listening ideas.) Of course, this will work best for kids who are old enough to complete significant portions of work without you having to talk them through it.

Here are more quick tips on creating a helpful homework space .

Set A Routine

All kids thrive on routine – and even more so for kids with ADHD . Routines provide structure, security, and predictability . They also make the logistics of day-to-day life run more smoothly.

Following a consistent, simple routine for completing homework sets you and your child up for success. Once you establish a routine, you will both know what to expect, and as the routine forms habits, tasks will feel easier than they did before. Homework time will be less of a battle.

Inevitably, though, events and life changes will threaten to interrupt your routine. That means sometimes you’ll need that flexible mindset you adopted earlier to revamp your plan. Other times, you’ll need to stand strong: stick to your routine even when it would be easier to let it slide for a while.

When a routine must be interrupted or changed, try to give your child advance notice and talk about what she can expect in the future.

Break Work into Chunks

Large projects can be overwhelming for kids with ADHD. So, if your child brings home a hefty assignment, break it up into shorter, simpler parts. For younger children, you will need to do this planning yourself. But, if your child is old enough, this is a great opportunity for modeling and collaborating.

Is the assignment writing a paragraph? Perhaps start with developing a topic sentence, then take a short break before writing the supporting sentences. After those successes, your child may feel ready to write a concluding sentence without another break. But, if she needs a breather, no problem.

Each step or section completed is a success to celebrate. Plan for completing work in manageable segments – and consider using a fun visual to track progress – and homework won’t feel as daunting.

Take Breaks

This strategy goes hand-in-hand with the last one, and can be helpful for kids with either type of ADHD (hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive) .

Between activities or chunks of homework, offer your child plenty of short breaks. These prevent fatigue and give kids something to look forward to after each task.

How you use each break depends on your child: you might try five minutes of exercise, looking at a favorite book, going for a short walk, or LEGO building.

Use A Timer

Even when you’ve broken homework into more manageable chunks, you may not know exactly how long a task will take. After 15 minutes on a worksheet, you may realize it’s going to take too long for one sitting.

This is where a timer can help, especially one your child can see counting down. Set the timer before starting a task so your child knows no matter what his pace, he’ll get a breather. Then if the work is feeling tough, for example, you can say, “Look, only 3 more minutes until we take a break!”

You can also challenge your child to see if she can work for 10 (or 15 or 20) minutes without any distractions, or answer a certain number of questions before the timer goes off. As always, watch to make sure this is helpful and motivating rather than stressful – and be flexible to change if needed.

Incorporate Music

To enhance concentration, you can also plug in those noise-canceling headphones mentioned earlier and try playing music during homework time. Music actually helps develop parts of the brain that tend to be underdeveloped in people with ADHD.

For many kids, instrumental music is best, since lyrics could be distracting. Otherwise, the type of music you choose will depend on your child’s preferences and, more importantly, how he or she seems to react to a specific type. Take the time to notice what helps your child relax, get moving, or stay more focused.

In general, avoid music that seems chaotic or arrhythmic, and try to avoid using a music player that will include commercials, which may break your child’s concentration. Here’s more advice on choosing music , and even some suggested playlists.

Allow Movement

Kids with ADHD sometimes seem like they ‘can’t sit still.’ Thankfully, their energy and motion can actually help them concentrate and perform better on cognitive tasks .

So, embrace your child’s need to move as a way to increase focus while doing homework. Feel free to get creative and customize this to fit your child. Maybe it’s as simple as playing with a fidget toy while reading aloud, or maybe it’s playing hopscotch while reciting math facts.

As a side benefit, this can make homework time more fun, which in turn makes it less of a battle and easier to build good homework habits. Movement for the win!

Bottom Line: Use What Works

As you reflect on these strategies, keep in mind that you don’t have to implement them all at once. Choose one or two to try first, then integrate the others as you need or want. Since every child is different, above all, watch to see which strategies are most helpful. Keep what helps and don’t worry about the rest.

Helping your child with ADHD concentrate to do their homework can be a daily struggle – but with these simple strategies, the time can be structured, successful, and perhaps even fun for both of you.

Finding Support

As you continue this beautiful, challenging journey of caring for someone with ADHD, Advenium offers support for both you and your child, with activity-based groups that focus on holistic healing. From fitness-assisted therapy to play therapy and parenting workshops, we have something for adults, adolescents, and children. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment or click here to learn more.

• https://impactparents.com/blog/adhd/a-huge-aha-for-the-adhd-parent-set-realistic-expectations/
• https://www.additudemag.com/how-to-make-study-space-homework-help/
• https://www.verywellmind.com/why-is-structure-important-for-kids-with-adhd-20747
• https://impactparents.com/blog/adhd/strategies-to-make-homework-easier-for-kids-and-parents/
• https://chadd.org/for-educators/classroom-accommodations/
• https://psychcentral.com/adhd/adhd-music#potential-benefits
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150611082116.htm

7 Ways To Motivate A Kid With ADHD To Do Homework And Chores

Start by meeting your kid where they are — and really listen to what they’re telling you.

All parents fight with their kids to do their chores or homework, but with kids who have ADHD, it’s a whole other battle. Children with ADHD are neurologically wired to have difficulty starting and finishing tasks . They often struggle with executive functioning , a family of mental skills that includes the ability to plan, conceptualize, and execute goals. All of this means that completing everyday tasks such as homework and chores — or even getting up for school — can become major points of difficulty for some kids, and major points of conflict between them and their parents.

That doesn’t mean that the only option is to push your way through. For children (and adults) with ADHD, staying on task can sometimes be as easy as reframing the process using management and motivation styles that better fit their needs and are more suited to the way they think. While the same strategies won’t work for everyone, these seven tips are a great place to start figuring out the right setup to keep your kid with ADHD on task.

1. A Little Understanding Goes a Long Way

Start by meeting your kid where they are — and really listen to what they’re saying. When a child appears disinterested or unable to start a task or an assignment, try to identify anything that might be getting in their way. ADHD and anxiety often go hand in hand , and tasks can feel overwhelming if they’re long and complex, or they may bring up some underlying discomfort (like assignments from that one terrifying teacher). Once you know what obstacles your child is facing, you’ll be better poised to find ways to overcome them. And yes, being bored definitely counts as one of these obstacles.

2. Break Down Larger Goals

Maintaining focus and motivation over a long period of time is difficult for kids with ADHD — it’s like trying to remember your place in a book with pages that won’t stop flipping around. Plenty of projects can be broken down into discrete parts, and writing them down on a piece of paper or a whiteboard can help free up brain space and encourage your child to focus on one step at a time, says Carey Heller, Psy.D. , a Maryland-based psychologist who specializes in childhood and adolescent ADHD. Try finding a way to help your child unwind in between each step.

3. Encourage Routine

“Creating structure is really important,” Heller says. Small routines, like a pre-homework snack after school followed by a set reminder to do homework , can help create a familiar flow of activities that eliminates the need to spend mental energy on planning when to tackle heftier tasks.

Knowing when a change in activity is coming is also a huge boon for the ADHD brain, which can easily become fixated and difficult to redirect . “For example, if a child is reading for fun, or playing a game of some kind, suddenly being surprised by parents saying ‘It's time to do homework ’ may make them yell or react a little more strongly because of the difficulty shifting attention, rather than it being that they truly don't want to do it,” Heller says. If it’s a routine that game time stops at 5 p.m. everyday, switching away from that activity will likely be less of a fight.

4. Set Reminders

When it comes to ADHD , organization is key. Luckily, there’s no shortage of tools to help parents and children achieve it. For older kids with smartphones, using the reminder and calendar apps to break up tasks into to-dos and deadlines is just a matter of building the habit. For parents of younger children, or those who may not want their kids relying on screens to manage their planning, smart home devices can act as hands-free virtual assistants for even the tiniest of tots. Heller says he uses his own Amazon Echo to set reminders so often that his son was listing off his own tasks to the device at the age of 4. For a tech-free option, paper planners can be a huge help to older kids — some are even made specifically for those with ADHD . The best reminder system for your kid, Heller says, is whichever one they’ll use.

5. Add Rewards

It’s what we all want for a job well done — something to look forward to. There’s good evidence that the dopamine reward pathway — the portion of the brain that makes you feel good when you accomplish something — is disrupted in people with ADHD, leading to a deficit in the ability to motivate from within . Thankfully, there’s also evidence that for children under 12 , having an extrinsic reward, or something tangible to look forward to, can improve performance on a task.

For bigger projects, Heller suggests sprinkling rewards along the way. Which rewards work best is going to vary a ton from child to child, but options such as a favorite meal or quality time with a parent tend to be a hit in his office.

6. Embrace Fidgeting

Sure, your kid has to sit still at school. But at home, there’s no need to be so rigid. Heller swears by the strategy of “ harnessing fidgeting to improve focus .” Turn your kid’s desk into the most fun home office in the house with items like an under-desk elliptical, a balance board, or even a simple standing desk setup — find what clicks for them. Even something as simple as pacing the room while reading can help some kids with ADHD stay engaged.

7. Remember: You’re There to Guide

Helping your child manage their ADHD is all about “parenting for independence ,” Heller says. He encourages parents to develop strategies that their children and teens can take into adulthood and use themselves, rather than ones that require constant parental involvement. For younger kids, modeling certain routines and behaviors can be a huge push in the right direction.

This article was originally published on Aug. 16, 2022

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Homework Study Tips, Apps and Technology to Help Children with ADHD

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) find many aspects of education challenging, especially studying at home. ADHD children typically struggle with patience, organisation and focus. Kids with ADHD tend to rush through their homework, making mistakes. They often find it difficult to organise their thoughts and tasks,  which then prevents them from planning ahead. 

In this article, we will be looking at some apps and websites to support ADHD children studying at home, as well as offering some suggestions that may help children to focus better on their homework. 

Assistive Technology

A child with ADHD might also struggle with study skills such as reading, concentration and writing. Here are a few apps and electronic resources to assist an ADHD child studying at home:

Audiobooks has a wide range of bestselling audiobooks and podcast episodes. This is great for students who love learning, but not reading. 

There are a great many types of assistive technology that support children with ADHD and here we have listed just a handful of ideas. The good news is that there is more and more innovative software being developed all the time. It’s just a case of trying out different things until you find something that works well for your child.

Home Study Tips

Here are a few ideas to support ADHD kids with their homework:

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We have been diagnosing and treating people with ADHD since 2009.

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How to Help a Child with ADHD Do Homework

Last Updated: March 29, 2022

This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD . Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care. This article has been viewed 12,959 times.

Getting a child with ADHD to focus on their school work can be a challenge, especially if there are assignments, readings, and due dates involved. You can help a child with ADHD complete their homework with flying colors by introducing methods for learning at school and at home. You should also focus on staying positive and supportive of the child with ADHD so you both feel a sense of accomplishment when the homework gets done.

Preparing for Homework at School

• You may ask the teacher to hand out a typed assignment sheet to take home, especially if the child has attention deficits that make it difficult for them to copy down the homework in their notebook.

• If the child tends to forget to hand back in their assignments, their teacher can include a sheet for a parent to sign once the homework has been completed and packed in the child’s bag. This will serve as a reminder to the child’s parent to check that the homework has been done and is packed in the child’s school bag.

• The “study buddy” system can help the child make sure they bring home the books they need for the assignment. It can also ensure the child with ADHD stays organized.
• Another option is to get the child to join a homework club, where they spend time with other students and a tutor after school to get their work done. This can be useful if the child’s medication is still working after school and you want to keep them motivated to do their schoolwork.

• You can then work with the child's teacher to modify the IEP so the child has less homework or a lightened workload. For example, as part of the child's IEP, maybe the teacher assigns only the odd-numbered math problems for the child or five homework questions instead of ten. This can help the child still learn and get their work done, without being overly stressed or frustrated.
• You may also talk to the child’s teacher about spreading out the child’s assignments so they are not due all at once as part of the child's IEP. You may sit down with them and create a schedule of assignments that will fit the child’s abilities and time management skills. This can make the child feel less overwhelmed, but still get their work done.

Helping the Child at Home

• Having your own copy of the child’s assignments will also allow you to read them over beforehand. You can then help the child with the assignment and break it into manageable chunks for the child.

• You may set the homework time for right after school, especially if your child does well with staying in “school mode” at the end of the day. Or you may give the child a break after school and then prepare them for homework time ten to fifteen minutes ahead of time.
• Some children do well with warnings a few minutes before homework time, such as reminders to “get their brain turned to homework” or “have their mind set to homework mode.”

• Keep the child’s homework spot stocked with school supplies, an extra set of school books, and folders for their assignments. You may also make sure they have a reading lamp and lots of writing utensils in their spot.
• Make sure the homework spot is free from distractions such as TV, phones, or frequent visitors. A room through which other family members are constantly passing, for instance, may not be the best spot.

• For example, you may block out the child’s homework in 20 minute chunks, followed by short breaks. You may schedule 20 minutes on math homework, followed by a five minute break. Then, the next 20 minutes may be on social studies homework, followed by another five minute break.
• You may also set a timer for 20 minutes and place it in front of the child so they stay motivated. Once the timer goes off, you may then allow them to take a five minute break to do something else.

Staying Positive and Supportive

• Try to encourage the child to come up with an answer on their own before you help them. You do not want to do their work for them or allow them to lean on you too much.
• If you notice the child has reached their threshold, but they have not finished their work, do not try to force them to keep going. Speak to their teacher about assigning less work so the child can still get some work done.

• You can also use verbal praise as a reward. A simple “Great job!” or “Excellent!” can encourage the child to stay positive and focused as they do their assignments.
• You should offer the child a reward if they get good grades on their homework. You may take them on a fun outing or get them an item they really want as a reward for doing well.

• You should also make sure they have put their completed homework in their bag so it is ready to turn into their teacher. This will ensure the homework ends up in the right hands and that the child gets graded by their teacher.

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How to Get a Child with ADD to do Homework

Homework can be tricky for children with ADHD, especially after they’ve spent all day at school.

When children come home from school, they want to play, spend time with their friends and family, or watch TV. Homework is simply not something most children are excited about, but most kids are willing to do it because they have accepted that it is a requirement and there will be negative consequences if it is not completed.  

Unfortunately, it is often difficult for children with ADHD to sustain their focus long enough to do their homework, making them resigned to the negative consequences of not completing their work.

This is because the ADHD child’s brain is “stuck” in a certain pattern of dysregulation that doesn’t allow them to sustain concentration on non-stimulating tasks or perform certain executive functioning tasks, such as planning, organizing, and prioritizing their assignments. In a way, ADHD children are physically incapable of self-regulating and performing certain tasks because their brain won’t allow them to engage with the task.

However, with the right homework plan, it is possible to help motivate ADHD children to complete their assignments on time, study for tests, and become responsible, successful students. While completing schoolwork will likely always be more difficult due to their struggles with focus, there are strategies that can help mitigate this weakness and maximize their available resources to increase their productivity.

In this article, we will cover some effective ADD homework strategies for children that can improve their study habits. This article will also discuss the Drake Institute’s non-drug treatment protocols used to help children reduce or resolve ADHD symptoms by achieving a healthier state of brain functioning, resulting in long-term symptom relief.

Diet for ADD

Learning how to study with ADD can be difficult, especially if your mind and body are not receiving the necessary resources for the brain to function optimally. That’s why providing children with a healthy and nutritious diet should be a top priority for every household, as diet is the foundation of productive thinking and behavior.

Without a healthy diet, children suffering from ADHD will find it even more difficult to concentrate on their schoolwork, and this is especially true if their diet consists of sugary soft drinks, candy, and processed fast foods. Indeed, if your child is not eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, they are more prone to misbehaving and performing poorly on their assigned tasks.

For parents with ADHD children, avoiding processed foods loaded with artificial colorings and high sugar content should be a top priority, as both of these ingredients can have detrimental effects on behavior and health.

As a general guideline, ADHD diets should consist of essential trace minerals such as Zinc, Iron, and Magnesium. Foods that are heavy in these minerals include:

• Beef & Lamb
• Nuts such as cashews, pecans, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and hazelnuts
• Sesame seeds
• Beans & Lentils
• Low-Fat Dairy
• Dried fruits such as figs, prunes, apricots, dates, and raisins

Parents should also take great care to ensure that their children are eating enough healthy fats, as every cell in the human body (including our brain) is made up of fats, and some reports have shown that in some children, Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is 40% as effective for ADHD as Ritalin, minus the side-effects. Healthy sources of Omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Coldwater fish (e.g., mackerel, tuna, salmon, and sardines)
• Cod liver oil
• Flaxseed and chia seeds
• Soybeans & Tofu

Even if your child doesn’t have ADD, providing them with a healthy diet is one of the best ways to ensure that they will grow up to be healthy and productive.

And when it comes to mitigating the effects of ADD and ADHD, we feel that the optimal method is to combine ADHD diets with clinical ADHD treatments, like brain map-guided neurofeedback, as nutritious diets can reinforce and maximize the improvements in brain functioning brought on by our non-drug treatment protocols. 

Create a Homework Schedule

When it comes to ADD and homework, creating a homework schedule is one of the best ways to improve a child’s productivity.

By creating a homework schedule, children will know exactly what they will be doing once they get home (so long as the schedule is enforced), so there’s no guesswork involved from either the parent or the child as to when the work will be completed. However, this doesn’t mean that there won’t be arguments about the schedule and whether it’s fair: children with ADD intrinsically struggle with non-preferred asks, and a homework schedule won’t make these issues magically disappear.

That being said, a homework schedule can help students be more disciplined and productive because, without it, most children would rather turn on the TV, play a video game, or browse social media instead of completing their homework. In children with ADD, these issues are exacerbated, as their ability to plan and organize their day (executive functioning) is already hindered due to their attention deficit disorder.  

When creating a homework schedule, remember to include breaks, as most children will need a few minutes to relax so that they can better focus on their work. Many researchers have pointed out that the average attention span of children and adults is only around 20 minutes. Beyond this point, it becomes increasingly difficult to pay attention to the task at hand. So, by giving children a brief, 5-10 minute break, they will be better able to focus on their assignments without becoming too tired or fatigued.

Knowing when to schedule these homework breaks will require a bit of trial and error, as every child is different. However, including a break as part of the schedule somewhere around the 20 or 30-minute mark is generally a good place to start. During these scheduled breaks, it would be a good idea to have healthy snacks readily available to ensure that your child has enough energy to power through their assignments. Parents should encourage children to stand up and walk around during these breaks, but to avoid activities that are too stimulating or too far away from the task at hand.

Finally, there are two other important aspects to creating a homework schedule that parents should keep in mind: place and time.

In general, it’s a good idea to have a designated “homework space” for your child to work in that is free of distractions. As part of the schedule, the child should work in this space each day since this will help the child get into a “work mode” that allows them to concentrate on their tasks.

Time is the last aspect of creating a homework schedule, and this too will require a little bit of trial and error. In some cases, your child may need a break from schoolwork and might not be ready to jump into their homework as soon as they come home. Instead, they may need to go outside and play or go on a long walk before they can re-engage with their schoolwork. On the other hand, many children are more than willing to dive straight into their homework as soon as they get home so that they can watch TV later in the day or play video games with their friends.

In the end, it’s up to the parents to determine when “homework time” will begin, and once the time is set, everyone must abide.  

Monitor Distractions

From smartphones to televisions, there are a whole host of things fighting for your child’s attention.

As mentioned, part of the solution to this problem is to create a “homework space” that is free of distractions; however, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee that your child will be more productive.

Sometimes, your child might feel “alone” or “claustrophobic” in a workspace that is too sterile or boring, which can actually decrease their ability to concentrate. 

As many of us can attest, sometimes we need a “slight” distraction while working or performing schoolwork, like listening to the radio or having the TV on in the background, as these things can provide stimulation that helps some children to concentrate.

However, even background noise can be distracting for some students, especially if they have ADD. This is why parents need to monitor the effects of these distractions to see whether they improve or decrease productivity. Furthermore, while background noise may be beneficial for some people, individuals with ADHD will likely have a lower threshold for what is “too distracting.” For example, having the TV on is likely to be entirely too distracting for individuals with ADHD, and they will likely have better success if background noise consists of things such as music, ambient sounds, or even white noise.

If your child seems to work better while listening to music, then this “distraction” should be fully integrated into the homework schedule.

Be Present During Homework

Being there for your child when they’re working on their homework can be critically important to their success, especially when a difficult problem comes up.

By being present, children are less likely to become frustrated or to give up when they encounter a problem that they can’t solve because they know that they can turn to you for support.

Try setting a good example and sitting with your child reading a book, a magazine, or doing some other quiet, sedentary activity that is similar to studying and doing homework, proving to your child that it’s possible to sit still and focus for an extended period of time. Don’t forget to leave your smartphone behind!

If you can’t be there during “typical” (early afternoon) homework hours, you might want to consider trying to align your child’s homework schedule with your work schedule so that you can be there to help when they do need it. Being able to provide support to your child during a task that is challenging to them can be crucial to their success. Even if you are not actively providing guidance, simply knowing that someone is there to support them can be invaluable in maintaining their focus, motivation, and self-confidence.

Find a Study Buddy

When a child with ADD gets stuck on a homework problem, they’re likely to get frustrated, which in turn can cause them to misbehave.

In many cases, a parent can help their child work through a difficult homework problem, but sometimes having a “study buddy” will be even more effective, especially if the children are friendly and have academic strengths that complement each other.

However, it’s also important that parents ensure that their child is studying when with their study buddy, as sometimes this arrangement can cause children to goof around and not take their homework seriously. There also has to be some monitoring to make sure they are not simply being provided with answers by their partner. While this partnership may not be appropriate for everyone, for those who can work through these “temptations,” the benefits of such an arrangement can be significant.

This isn’t to say that parents should hover over their child when they’re with their study buddy, but monitoring the rate at which homework is being completed and its correctness will be important when determining the effectiveness of the study buddy.

That being said, if the homework is taking a little bit longer to be completed, but it’s being done correctly, and your child is happy about doing it, then that’s a tradeoff that might be worth making.

Provide Positive Feedback

Something that often gets overlooked is positive feedback for turning in assignments on time, receiving high marks, and abiding by the homework schedule.

Positive feedback is also often the best answer to the question of “how to get kids to do their homework,” as both children and adults like attention and rewards, and will alter their behavior to earn more of them.

However, obtaining attention can be accomplished in a variety of ways—not all of which are healthy and productive.

This is especially true when it comes to completing schoolwork: if your child makes an effort to adhere to their homework schedule and to achieve good grades, but isn’t rewarded, they will have less incentive to continue behaving in this manner. While it is tempting for parents to view this behavior as simply “doing what they are supposed to be doing,” there needs to be an acknowledgement that for individuals with ADHD, as this is an accomplishment that likely took significant effort. That additional effort is an accomplishment for these children and should be acknowledged and rewarded.

Therefore, it would be wise to reward your child for good behavior, especially behavior that results in positive grades at school.

Many parents have found success using a star chart that keeps track of their child’s weekly progress, where these stars can be “cashed in” for a reward of some kind, like extra time for playing video games or perhaps a snack of their choosing. How these stars are rewarded is up to the child’s parents, but it’s probably best to be a little lenient to incentivize homework and positive behavior.

For example, completing a homework assignment might be worth 1 star, but completing the homework correctly might be worth 2 or 3 stars. Extra stars can also be rewarded for other, non-homework related tasks, like taking adequate notes in class, remembering to bring the correct books home from school, and keeping their study materials (notebooks, binders, etc.) tidy. 

Talk to the Teacher

Finally, if your child is still struggling to complete their homework despite adhering to a homework schedule and everything else mentioned above, it might be time to talk to their teacher.

Some teachers will be more than willing to adjust the amount of homework your child is receiving on a day-to-day basis, so long as the problem is presented clearly, calmly, and without placing any blame on the teacher.

In addition to not placing blame, it’s probably best to discuss your child’s struggles in a face-to-face conversation, as too many things can get lost in translation over the phone, through emails or text messages.

When discussing your child’s struggles with homework, it’s important to mention how your child is trying as hard as they can to complete their assignments, but despite these efforts, the homework is taking an inordinate amount of time. Make sure to discuss all of the structure and accommodations being provided at home and be open to the teacher’s suggestions of things that may provide additional benefit for the child.

When this occurs, some teachers will allow parents to sign off on homework once the child has worked on it for a certain amount of time. Other teachers might substitute the current homework for something else that might be more suitable for your child’s needs. Accommodations can also be formally provided by requesting an IEP or 504 plan that addresses these concerns.

In short, conversations with your child’s teacher should be solution-oriented, face-to-face, friendly, and focused on improving your child’s academic performance, while still requiring them to perform at the best of their abilities.

ADD Treatment Options

When it comes to treating ADD, there are a few options available to parents, including stimulant ADD medications , and non-drug treatment options like the ones found at the Drake Institute.

Treatment of ADD or ADHD with medication is a widely used treatment option, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best in terms of safety and long-term improvement. Many stimulant ADD medications carry a significant number of negative side effects, including:

• Nervousness
• Change in personality
• Loss of appetite
• Suppressing growth rate
• Weight loss
• Upset stomach
• Psychotic reactions
• increase in blood pressure and palpitations
• Risk of substance abuse

In addition, many people develop a tolerance for these medications over time, which results in the individual needing a higher dosage to obtain the same level of symptom reduction. Unfortunately, when the dosage of these medications increases, so does the likelihood that they will experience one or more of the negative side effects associated with the medication. It should also be noted, that treating attentional deficits with medications is not necessarily correcting the cause of the problem, meaning that if an individual were to discontinue these medications, their symptoms are likely to return.

Popular ADD medications include Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine, and while these drugs can work for some people, parents must understand all of the associated risks.

Non-Drug ADD Treatment at the Drake Institute

Learning how to study when you have ADD doesn’t require taking medications.

At the Drake Institute, we fully believe that children can experience symptom reduction without the use of ADHD medications, which is important since many of these medications carry a significant number of negative side effects.

Through the use of advanced treatment technologies such as qEEG Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback, and Neuromodulation, children can actually improve their brain functioning and sustained focus, resulting in better performance at school and work.

Brain Mapping

At the core of everything we do at the Drake Institute is Brain Mapping , as it provides us a window into how the patient’s brain is functioning and where the dysregulation is occurring.

In the case of ADD, brain mapping can help identify which parts of the brain are under or over-activated and contributing to the child’s struggles with school. During treatment, we’ll target these regions to improve brain functioning, which can help minimize the effects of the child’s attention disorder.

Once brain mapping is complete, the findings are compared to the FDA-registered normative database to identify which regions are deviating from “normal” activity patterns.

When dysregulation is discovered, a treatment protocol using Neurofeedback and Neuromodulation is designed specifically for the patient’s unique situation. This customized process allows us to provide better results compared to treatment protocols that use a “one size fits all” approach. It should also be noted that by addressing their underlying cause of the child’s difficulties, the subsequent improvements obtained through neurotherapy are typically long-lasting and do not require continued maintenance, like medications do.

Biofeedback & Neurofeedback

Biofeedback and Neurofeedback treatment is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment protocol that helps the patient retrain the brain to more optimal functioning, thus increasing their ability to complete homework or other assigned tasks.

During Neurofeedback treatment, the brain is not artificially stimulated and drugs are not administered; in fact, nothing invasive is performed at all.

Instead, Neurofeedback involves placing sensors on the patient’s head that records and displays the patient’s current brain functioning patterns, providing real-time feedback into how their brain is operating. When patients can witness firsthand how their brain is functioning, they are better able to self-regulate and improve brain functioning for concentration, which in turns, helps reduce the manifestation of negative symptoms.

One example of Neurofeedback treatment is one where the patient’s brainwave patterns are converted into a computer game where a car is driving down the highway. When the patient’s brain shifts into a healthier functioning frequency, the car moves and stays in the proper lane and an auditory tone is triggered. This tone is then repeated every half second that the patient sustains this healthier mode of thinking, which helps improve and stabilize this brave wave pattern.

With continued treatment, Neurofeedback treatments like the one described above will help the patient learn how to improve sustained focus on even nonpreferred tasks. Furthermore, with practice and repetition, the underlying dysregulation that caused the child’s difficulties can actually be improved, resulting in a “stronger” brain and long-lasting benefit.

Neuromodulation

Finally, the Drake Institute utilizes Neuromodulation therapy to support, enhance, and accelerate therapeutic improvements gained through Neurofeedback. This approach has been so successful that we’ve fully integrated it into our existing treatment protocols in 2019.

What is Neuromodulation?

In short, Neuromodulation provides therapeutic neurostimulation of dysregulated brain functioning by stimulating brainwave patterns that the patient is deficient in. Once established, the brain can then mimic or emulate this pattern to form healthier brain wave activity. This treatment protocol can also increase blood flow in damaged areas and reduce inflammation.

This treatment technology is so safe and effective that it is now used worldwide in renowned medical centers such as Harvard University School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, UCLA School of Medicine, and many others.

Contact the Drake Institute

If your child is struggling with their schoolwork due to ADD or ADHD, please don’t hesitate to call us for a free consultation. Our non-drug treatment protocols have provided many students with long-term symptom relief, helping them to achieve and go farther in school than they ever have before.

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"They started biofeedback right away to produce more alpha brain waves. I went daily for 4 weeks I believe? It was relaxing. My brain learned what to do. It CURED me."

"The treatment involves doing different protocols, you start to notice a difference after a couple weeks. The Drake Institute, and their treatment method is the way of the future! It absolutely was an answer to our prayers."

"I was hesitant to go to The Drake Institute but was at a loss on how to help my son. I can not thank Drake and Maria enough I don't think we would be where we are today without it."

“David F. Velkoff, M.D., our Medical Director and co-founder, supervises all evaluation procedures and treatment programs. He is recognized as a physician pioneer in using biofeedback, qEEG brain mapping, neurofeedback, and neuromodulation in the treatment of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and stress related illnesses including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Dr. David Velkoff earned his Master’s degree in Psychology from the California State University at Los Angeles in 1975, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta in 1976. This was followed by Dr. Velkoff completing his internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology with an elective in Neurology at the University of California Medical Center in Irvine. He then shifted his specialty to Neurophysical Medicine and received his initial training in biofeedback/neurofeedback in Neurophysical Medicine from the leading doctors in the world in biofeedback at the renown Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. In 1980, he co-founded the Drake Institute of Neurophysical Medicine. Seeking to better understand the link between illness and the mind, Dr. Velkoff served as the clinical director of an international research study on psychoneuroimmunology with the UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Pasteur Institute in Paris. This was a follow-up study to an earlier clinical collaborative effort with UCLA School of Medicine demonstrating how the Drake Institute's stress treatment resulted in improved immune functioning of natural killer cell activity. Dr. Velkoff served as one of the founding associate editors of the scientific publication, Journal of Neurotherapy. He has been an invited guest lecturer at Los Angeles Children's Hospital, UCLA, Cedars Sinai Medical Center-Thalians Mental Health Center, St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, and CHADD. He has been a medical consultant in Neurophysical Medicine to CNN, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Univision, and PBS.”

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Effective Study And Organization Strategies For Students With ADHD

Living with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can mean facing unique challenges in school that your peers don’t experience. This condition can impair focus and task management, making studying and learning more difficult. However, certain study skills, classroom accommodations, and organizational habits may help students with ADHD succeed despite their unique obstacles. 

Achieving academic success while living with ADHD may involve paying attention to the specific ways your symptoms affect your ability to manage your life and retain information. You may test out many different strategies to find the best combination of adaptations for you. Seeking support from others through learning accommodations, coaching, therapy, and helpful reminders may also have a significant positive impact. 

How ADHD can affect academic performance in the classroom

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition and form of neurodivergence that can interfere with certain aspects of behavioral and attentional control. The inattentive symptoms of ADHD can pose various challenges for students, including the following: 

• Being easily distracted can make following lectures or assigned reading materials difficult for students with ADHD. 
• Difficulty staying focused on tasks can cause assignments to take considerably more time and effort. 
• Forgetfulness can lead to work being overlooked or difficulties retaining information relevant to the course. 
• Fidgeting and hyperactivity might disrupt the classroom environment and lead to more frequent disciplinary encounters.

A 2015 meta-analysis of studies on children with ADHD found that they tended to display worse academic performance and lower scores on achievement tests compared to the average student. These negative impacts may persist throughout an individual’s academic career, as college students with ADHD typically achieve lower GPAs than their peers. However, the study authors also reported that supportive interventions improved performance within this population, indicating that effective symptom management can reduce the disorder's impact. Below are suggestions for effective ADHD strategies to help you excel in school. 

Use organizational tools for an attention deficit 

Since ADHD symptoms can interfere with one’s ability to remember crucial academic tasks and information, individuals may benefit from finding tools for accessibility. Examples of memory aids and organizers that might help people with ADHD include:

• Sticky notes
• Calendars and planners
• Digital timers, reminders, and alarms
• Whiteboards
• Clear storage bins for visibility
• Bullet journals
• To-do lists

Not everyone finds the same tools useful, so try experimenting with many options and see which ones help you the most. 

Get help from teachers and staff

Letting your professors know about your challenges with ADHD may help them develop more accessible teaching strategies or classroom rules and adapt assignments to your needs. You may also talk to your academic advisor or school disability center, who might be able to arrange accommodations like extra testing time, audio notes, or quiet exam rooms with minimal visual stimuli. 

In addition to enabling a more supportive learning environment, your teachers can often offer additional help when you encounter difficulties in your classes. Taking advantage of office hours that allow more one-on-one time with a professor may provide significant benefits, as ADHD students often learn more effectively in smaller groups. 

Seek out coaching for students and children with ADHD

Colleges may offer academic tutoring and classroom accommodations for students with learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions, and research suggests that this type of support may be particularly beneficial for students with ADHD. Try different options to see which works best for you, as your school may have several programs available. Examples of these programs could include:

• ADHD-specific study skills coaching
• Academic advising
• Peer tutoring
• Faculty mentoring

Establish a steady routine

People with ADHD may benefit from having a consistent daily routine. Remembering to prioritize productive activities like homework can be easier when habitual instead of a task you have to think about doing each time. However, ADHD symptoms can make time management a struggle. The following tips may make it easier:

• Schedule breaks for fun or relaxing activities
• Use your environment to reinforce distinctions between activities — for instance, keep your room for relaxation and the library for studying and homework
• Start with a short daily schedule so you don’t become overwhelmed
• Allow yourself the flexibility to change the routine when a part isn’t working for you
• Use timers to help you remember when to switch tasks
• Incorporate a bedtime routine to ensure you get to sleep on time
• Plan time in your schedule to map out the day and week ahead

Ways students with ADHD can practice adaptive study habits

Researchers studying the ways that people with ADHD manage their lives found that those with the highest levels of daily functioning tended to be those who used adaptive strategies . They found ways to adjust their habits to account for the effects of their ADHD symptoms. Below are a few examples of adaptive strategies that might prove helpful or inspire you to develop your own.

Break tasks into chunks

Looking at a major homework assignment can seem daunting to people with ADHD since staying focused on a single task for an extended period may be difficult. If you can find ways to split up these assignments into mini-goals, they may become more manageable. Then, build in short breaks between these steps to reduce attentional burnout.

Give yourself rewards frequently 

Academic difficulties in adults, adolescents, and children with ADHD can often arise from difficulties motivating themselves to perform cognitively challenging tasks. Adding positive reinforcement in the form of rewards may provide an extra incentive. Allowing yourself to partake in a fun activity after completing each task may keep you on track. Treat yourself immediately after engaging in the desired activity, as self-rewards may break down when you let too much time pass, decoupling the reward from the positive habit.

Keep your body occupied to pay attention 

While the tendency to fidget in ADHD is often thought of as a form of distraction, some research suggests fidgeting may help you sustain your focus by giving you an outlet for restlessness. Some students with ADHD find that they can pay attention more easily if they perform a motion like chewing gum, humming, using a fidget item, or tapping their feet while studying. 

Reduce distractions

Having fewer external factors that can pull your focus away may reduce your “attention deficit.” For example, a 2019 study found that children with ADHD were able to stay on task longer when exposed to low levels of white noise in the classroom, reducing auditory distractions. Students with ADHD may benefit from wearing noise-canceling headphones and studying in quiet, clean spaces with minimal clutter and visual stimuli.

Use visual and audio aids

Some people with ADHD find absorbing information easier when presented in several formats or organized in visually compelling ways. While different systems work for different people, some of the following strategies may be useful:

• Use multiple highlighters to color-code notes and text
• Take audio notes and listen to them while walking or running
• Create graphs, charts, and other visual media to summarize information
• Use verbal mnemonics to remember information 
• Add doodles and sketches to your notes
• Read aloud to yourself while studying (using an unusual voice may help)
• Flag important pages or passages with sticky notes
• Stand up or pace while reading

Work with others

Another factor that may increase motivation in students living with ADHD is being connected to other people . Finding a “study buddy” to work with may transform homework or test prep from a boring solo activity to an engaging team effort. You may also be able to recruit friends or family members to act as accountability partners with whom you check in regularly about your progress. Getting frequent feedback may assist you in sticking with your plans and positive mental, behavioral, and health habits. 

Pay attention to your mental health 

Proactively managing your psychological well-being may ensure your symptoms don’t overwhelm your attempts to be academically productive and successful. You might try the following techniques: 

• Self-monitoring : Checking in with yourself frequently to see if you’re getting distracted, forgetting important information, or engaging in disruptive behavior
• Observation: Observing your habits and assessing what situations pose the most significant challenges to organization and focus
• Following medical guidance: Taking any prescribed medication regularly
• Monitoring symptoms: Watching out for symptoms of conditions that frequently occur alongside ADHD , such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders

Making the above behaviors consistent habits may make managing your symptoms considerably easier. 

Resources for students with ADHD

The following resources may assist you in succeeding academically and remaining healthy as an ADHD student.

• Campus health centers: Your college may have a health center that can assist with medication management. 
• Student disability office: A student disability office may go by different names at different institutions, but you may be able to find dedicated support services for students with conditions like ADHD.
• Student counseling centers: Working with a mental and behavioral health counselor may help you manage stress and symptoms.
• Academic advising: Your faculty advisor can be an advocate and a source of assistance in navigating school with ADHD. The resident advisors in your dorms may also be able to offer help, guidance, and accountability.
• Advocacy organizations: Various non-profit groups dedicated to helping students with ADHD provide helpful informational resources, including the Attention Deficit Disorder Association and Children and Adults With ADHD . 

Finding a therapist 

You may consider looking for mental healthcare online, as on-campus mental health services are often in higher demand than they can meet in a timely fashion. Internet-based therapy platforms like BetterHelp may offer flexible, convenient scheduling, making treatment easy to fit into your routine. 

Through an online platform, clients can also access resources like support groups, journaling prompts, goal-tracking, and worksheets, which may help them stay organized. Evidence from controlled trials indicates that online therapy can be effective in reducing core symptoms of ADHD and improving social functioning.

Students with ADHD can employ several effective strategies to support their success in school. Some are self-directed, like using adaptive study habits and setting a consistent daily routine. Other techniques might involve getting support from others, such as signing up for coaching, asking teachers for extra assistance, and recruiting friends as study buddies or accountability partners. 

• How To Address College Burnout Medically reviewed by April Justice , LICSW
• College Counseling: The Benefits, The Drawbacks, And What To Expect Medically reviewed by April Justice , LICSW
• Relationships and Relations

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5 strategies to make homework easier for adhd kids (and parents).

Home work. Those two words seem mismatched.

Home is where you can chill, be yourself, and get a little break from “work.”

Coming home from their 30-hour a week "job," many children crave down time. They want a break from "work" – from being "on" or putting effort into paying attention for six hours!

So who can blame kids for not wanting to do their homework ?

As parents, we understand that homework reinforces lessons learned from the school day. Revisiting material and practicing skills is fruitful. However, if you have a child (or more), you probably have stories that prove otherwise. Especially with screens as part of the equation.

Attention-challenged children struggle because of problems unrelated to the specific homework assignment:

• Dis tracted by the internet
• Dis enchanted with the topic
• Dis engaged during the lesson at school
• Dis mayed by how long it takes to answer a single question
• Dis combobulated from trying to categorize what is most important

Homework also assumes that all children have stay-at-home moms who are “on call” to help – which is not exactly true in this day and age!

Since our smart but scattered children aren't naturally supplied with minds that can keep track of due dates and directions, here are some homework strategies to ease the challenges ADHD kids face. But remember – the most important thing you can do to help your child, by far, is to notice what she or he does well, and encourage it.

Article continues below...

Want to stop school struggles.

Download a free tipsheet "10 Parenting Tips for School Success" to stop constant challenges at school and at home!

Here are 5 homework strategies for ADHD kids to get you started:

• Right after school or later ?
• Broken into time segments?
• With or without music?
• At a desk or the kitchen counter?
• Allow them to change it up from day to day

Foster Independence

Around 5th grade, a major goal can be independence with homework. From start to finish, the parent should assist – not nag to completion. You can gradually help your child less and less, and still expect high quality work.

• Note: this may be delayed for many kids with Executive Function challenges
• From start to finish, the parent should assist – not nag to completion.
• Gradually help less and less, and still expect high quality work.
• Goal: Only help when your child asks for it.
• Remember that it's their work – not yours.
• Digital post-it notes for work for some students – they see them on their desktop when they arrive at the screen.
• Reward for independently using processes and organization strategies, sticking to a time schedule, and being focused on online resources (rather than Youtube, etc.).

Visual Charts

• Calendars or bulleted lists help enormously. Student planners and online calendars tend to be "out of sight and out of mind."
• Large white boards are great, ideally one for each child.
• Designate a special place on the wall for it. Use it to make charts that track homework topics or nightly reading.
• Use abbreviations and humor to simplify and keep your child's attention.
• Boxes on the chart can also list homework assignments.
• Have your child write estimates for how long they should take to finish.
• It's beneficial to an ADD mind to track time elapsing. After the work is done, write down how long it actually took to track time management.

Physical Space

• Comfortable, flat surface
• Well-lit from above
• Not too far from the printer, if a middle or high schooler
• Quiet (except possible headphones)
• Free from distraction
• Stocked with needed materials
• Fidgets that help focus (not distract)

Paperwork – Breathe, and Scan Everything!

• Keeping track of the endless reading logs, rubrics, drafts, and study sheets seems impossible!
• Maintaining their original condition is even more difficult. This is where technology is your friend.
• Teachers who post documents on their websites are saviors. Scan any blank reading logs or assignments to keep on record at home.
• It also helps to color code folders and notebooks for some children.

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ADHD Child Refuses to Do Schoolwork: Top Tips to Help | Beyond Booksmart

By Sean Potts and Jackie Hebert

Let’s be honest… No student loves homework - and for good reason. When we consider the full school day, extracurriculars, and various social components that are all part of a typical school week, it’s no wonder why students want to relax and recharge when they finally get home. However, part of growing up is learning to roll up our sleeves and do those essential things we might not want to do - and for students, this means working through that algebra worksheet or history reading despite being drained from the 10+ hour day they just had. 

In this blog, we’re going to explore homework refusal and what you can do as a parent to nudge your student toward a healthier relationship with their homework. We’ll organize this exploration through four key questions: 

• What is homework refusal? 
• What causes homework refusal?
• How do you overcome homework refusal? 
• What outside support is there for homework refusal? 

Let’s dive right in.

1. What is homework refusal?

Homework refusal is when a student develops a strong avoidance of homework to the point of regularly refusing to complete their school work. A typical student who struggles with homework refusal may procrastinate to start their assignments, freeze up when they sit down to work, struggle to resist distractions after school, and release outbursts of anger or frustration when confronted about homework. 

Over time, these issues often devolve into worsening grades, frequent conflicts at home, and increased stress levels for caregivers and students. As a result, the parent-child relationship can become strained due to nightly battles over homework that make time at home increasingly unpleasant for the whole family. So now that we understand what homework refusal is, how does it develop in the first place? 

2. What causes homework refusal?

Homework refusal is a pattern of avoidance that’s developed to cope with the stress of completing homework. Understanding the core cause of homework refusal starts with identifying what exactly about homework is so stressful for your child. We’ll explore a few common reasons for this stress so you can identify which is most relevant to your situation. It’s also important to remember that attributing homework refusal solely to inherent character flaws (like laziness or apathy) is almost always counterproductive. Homework refusal can develop around the same age that other latent challenges around learning or mental health do. In other words, what may seem like laziness at the surface may simply be the tip of a much deeper iceberg with a core problem that exists outside of your student’s control. Let’s explore some of those potential underlying causes. (Note: It’s possible that more than one of these causes is relevant to your student - many can and do coexist.) 

Learning Differences & Disorders

If homework feels overwhelming for your student, it’s possible they might be struggling with a learning or neurological difference or disorder that makes completing homework harder than it is for their unaffected peers. These are the most common:

ADHD & Homework Refusal

One of the most common ones to consider is Attentive-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which generally makes it harder to do difficult or boring tasks because of differences in the ADHD brain’s reward circuit. As a result, those with ADHD struggle with self-management abilities like task initiation , organization, planning & prioritizing, and emotional regulation. You can learn more about ADHD specifically here. 

Dyslexia & Autism Spectrum Disorder Impact and Schoolwork Struggles 

Two other common learning differences to consider include dyslexia, which involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact with the world. If you suspect that any of these examples could be relevant to your child, then we encourage you to have them evaluated by a neuropsychologist or other qualified clinician. Identifying the core struggle is a critical step in conquering the issues surrounding homework. Most importantly, remember that a learning difference can make work feel impossible and overwhelming, so the more parents can do to reduce that stress around homework, the more likely they'll be able to actually help their student - which leads perfectly into our next cause...

Micromanaging

When students refuse to do homework, caregivers find themselves with a difficult choice - either directly intervene to make sure homework is completed or disengage and let them suffer the academic consequences that come with missing homework assignments. Both options are unappealing, yet it can be easy to rationalize direct involvement as the best course of action. After all, you want your kid to succeed, right? If you see that a child has trouble staying motivated, organized, and on top of things, shouldn’t caregivers be willing to do whatever it takes to help them overcome that?

Not necessarily! This approach has two big problems: first, it keeps our kids dependent on us instead of helping them learn to do things for themselves. Second, in the context of homework refusal, you have to remember that a student’s avoidance is often a coping mechanism to avoid the stress of homework. When parents start micromanaging homework time by nagging them to start, hovering over them while they work, checking for completion, and enforcing their attention on the task at hand, it's actually making homework more stressful for them. As a result, our noble intention can suddenly have unforeseen consequences. If you’ve found your direct involvement with your child’s work has resulted in more conflict, more stress around school work, and continued avoidance of homework, then the evidence indicates that that approach is likely making the problem worse. Luckily, there are other options parents can do to support this issue that we’ll be covering later on in this article. 

Anxiety 

Although homework can feel stressful (even for the most successful students), it needn’t be at a debilitating level. If your student has developed high emotional responses to homework that involve crying, shaking, hyperventilating, or tantrums surrounding homework, then anxiety may be the core issue at play. If anxiety is the core issue fueling homework refusal , then micromanaging will likely make it worse. Instead, it's important to seek out mental health support for the anxiety specifically and work through the underlying beliefs around homework that are reinforcing your student’s avoidance. 

Perfectionism 

Some students set unrealistically high expectations for themselves and their work, which can make it overwhelming to finish or even get started in the first place. This phenomenon is called perfectionism , and it’s often misunderstood as only applying to the highest performing students. In reality, perfectionism does not mean your work is actually perfect. In fact, that initial expectation can significantly decrease the quality of work as students may feel they can’t reach the ideal they’ve set for themselves and decide there’s no point in trying at all. Breaking down this core belief is central to overcoming the larger issue of homework refusal and can be done with the support of a coach or mental health professional. 

Untreated Executive Dysfunction

Executive Function skills enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, get started on work, and manage multiple tasks. When an individual struggles with these types of tasks on a regular basis, they're experiencing Executive Dysfunction - a catch-all term for the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral difficulties that impact one's ability to succeed in their academic, professional, and personal lives. These include issues with time management, organization, task initiation, emotional regulation, planning & prioritizing, and impulse control. Up to 90% of those with ADHD struggle with Executive Dysfunction, which impairs goal-directed behavior such as completing homework. However, you don’t need to have a diagnosis of ADHD to struggle with these skills. Many other issues, including the ones we covered so far, can cause issues in those areas. Regardless of the cause, strengthening Executive Function skills can make homework much more manageable. 

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a type of behavior disorder defined by children being uncooperative, defiant, and hostile toward peers, parents, teachers, and other authority figures. If the issue of refusal extends beyond homework, this may be a core cause to consider. Seek out a clinician who specializes in this issue, as it’s not an easy one to navigate alone as a parent. Treatment for ODD often includes psychotherapy, parent training, and could involve medication to treat underlying conditions such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD, as well.

3. How do you overcome homework refusal?

Now that we’ve covered the most common causes of homework refusal, let’s explore some of the most practical solutions available to overcome it.

If your ADHD child refuses to do schoolwork or has trouble finding motivation, simple methods like dividing homework into smaller tasks, rewarding little achievements, scheduling breaks, and modeling behavior can make a big difference in their motivation to complete assignments. It can also prove helpful to seek outside help from professionals like therapists, coaches and counselors.

We’ll break these solutions up into three categories: parenting strategies, Executive Function strategies, and seeking outside support. Let’s start with parenting solutions first.

5 Parenting Solutions for Homework Refusal

1. reconsider what your parenting role could look like .

As we explored earlier, there are a number of reasons why caregivers ideally shouldn’t be deeply involved in their student’s daily homework routine if that student is working through homework refusal. So that leaves an important question: what might the most useful caregiver role be? 

Answering this question starts with talking to your student about what they think is a fair level of involvement with their homework. Is it simply checking in to make sure they know what needs to get done or are they okay with a more involved role that includes setting the environment up for success? The answer will depend on the student, but the important thing is to involve your student in the conversation. If you can speak to them at their level and involve them in the process of establishing your role, you’re already showing them that you’re their ally - not their enemy. Over time, you can evaluate that role in action night-to-night and see how it impacts their ability to get homework done. If something isn’t working or needs to change, return to the initial conversation to come up with a new plan to experiment with. If this doesn’t work or the refusal is still extreme, then you’ll know it’s time to look for outside support, which we’ll cover near the end of this article. 

2. Set Clear Homework Expectations (and get your child’s buy-in!)

On the opposite end of micromanaging, there’s also the potential for enabling bad habits. This is why it’s important to set clear expectations around homework but also involve your child in creating those expectations. Talk through what seems reasonable and what happens if work isn’t done - and make it clear that you simply want them to succeed. Also, understand that each kid is different regarding how they feel about and approach their school work. Some may find English to be easy but have no patience at all for algebra, some may love math but get frustrated even just thinking about writing an essay. Whatever the case may be for your child, it’s important to know your child’s strengths and challenges, and what conditions allow them to learn best. This includes considering the frequency of breaks while working, how they can transition into work time, what environment allows them to be most productive, and which assignments give them the most trouble. After a month or two, you should have a clearer indication of what’s working, what’s not, and whether your child needs additional support beyond what you can provide.  

3. Celebrate Small Wins 

Completing all their homework may look like a typical night for some students, but for a student with homework refusal, it’s a big deal to even take out their materials to get started - or to have a conversation about what needs to be done. Celebrating these types of small wins with rewards or encouragement can be a great way to motivate students by reminding them that homework time doesn’t have to be such an excruciating experience. Small wins can include trying out a new tool or strategy, sitting down to focus for a given time, or starting homework without a fight. Whatever the wins might be, be sure to acknowledge them so your student knows you see the changes they're making, no matter how small. It reminds them that progress happens often a little bit at a time and even those small increments can feel really great when you shine a light on them.

4. Model What You’d Like to See 

If your child gets upset at the idea of homework, then simply staying calm through their emotional outbursts and demonstrating a solution-oriented attitude can go a long way. When kids see that their caregivers are calm, collected, and ready to find solutions, it can lay the groundwork to help them regulate themselves and mirror that calmer approach. At the very least, this technique helps caregivers be mindful of keeping their own emotions on a even keel during a challenging interaction with their child.

5. Connect with Your Child’s Teacher

As you’re working through these changes, work on building a good relationship with your child’s teacher and involve them in the process of change. Start off at the beginning of the school year by sharing your goals and worries with them, and stay in touch as the year progresses to share what you’ve been working on at home and where they can help in the classroom. Your relationship with your child’s teachers will pay off during the good times, but even more so during the challenging ones. 

6 Executive Function Strategies for Homework Refusal

Executive Function strategies are helpful for all students regardless of whether they’re a child with ADHD that refuses to do school work or any other core reason for refusing homework. We know they’re effective because our coaches use them in video sessions with the students they work with and they’ve seen how transformative they can be for all areas of a student's life, including homework. One reason that they’re so effective is that they rely on the belief that when there’s a way there’s a will . In other words, when students know how to get their homework done (the way), they’ll be more motivated to actually do it in the first place (the will). Hopefully, these strategies will help pave that road for your student’s own transformation, too.  

5-Minute Goals

Sometimes big tasks are just too overwhelming to even start. To reduce the burden and motivate students out of inaction, have them choose the first assignment to do and spend just 5 minutes on a timer seeing what they can get done.

When we’re given permission to stop after 5 minutes of work, starting may not seem so overwhelming. We’ve seen this tactic become a springboard to more extended periods of work simply due to the fact that it eliminates the fear of getting started. You may find that the 5 minutes lead your student into becoming immersed in the work at hand and continuing to work past that stopping point. If not, then try pairing this tactic with our next strategy…

Scheduled Breaks

Every homework assignment is its own task to conquer and may deserve its own scheduled break, too. Maintaining constant focus over a few hours and many assignments is challenging, even for adults. After a while, your student may lose steam and not want to do more. This is where structured breaks come in. When your student makes substantial progress or finishes one assignment, encourage them to take a timed 5 or 10-minute break to transition to their next assignment. Scheduling this into the homework session can make the burden seem less overwhelming overall and the individual assignments easier to start, knowing that there will be breaks in between. This strategy works best when the student has a say in how long the break should be relative to the assignment and what the break should consist of. Activities like listening to a favorite song, shooting a dozen freethrows, or grabbing a healthy snack can recharge a student without deraling their progress entirely

Cognitive Pairing

Homework time doesn’t always have to be just doom and gloom. One effective way to make homework time less scary is by pairing work with something fun and rewarding. This could be a pet curled up by your child’s side, their favorite treat waiting for them before they start, or a playlist of music they can enjoy listening to while they work (instrumental tends to be best!) Whatever it might be, pairing homework time with something they enjoy can greatly reduce the urge to avoid whatever assignment needs to get done.

Body doubling

One of the most challenging parts of starting homework is simply the feeling of having to tackle it alone. The chances that your student has a friend or someone from their class they can do homework with is likely high - so why not buddy up with them to get work done? This technique is also called body doubling and can be done with a friend, sibling, or even a caregiver who also needs to get work done, too. On top of making homework time less intimidating, it also can put kids on their best behavior if they’re with a friend that they’re not comfortable melting down in front of. This can be a great way for them to learn firsthand that homework doesn’t have to feel like such an unbearable burden.

The Pomodoro Technique 

The Pomodoro Technique is a method of working in pre-determined chunks of time. It’s essentially a combination of short, productive intervals (like 5-minute goals) and short breaks. For example, your student could work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and then go back to work. Coach and podcast host, Hannah Choi, encourages her clients to pay attention to diminishing returns when using the Pomodoro Technique. In this context, diminishing returns means that the effort being put in doesn’t necessarily yield the same results as it did when first starting the activity. Finding out when your student is most productive can be an effective bit of insight to have when deciding the sequence of the work they have to do. There are a number of apps that have Pomodoro Timers that can be used to set the working and break periods ahead of time ( like this one ).

Soften the blow

Transitioning from something fun or relaxing to a dreaded non-preferred task like homework is often going to pose a challenge. "Softening the blow" is one way to ease into these types of tasks or responsibilities. Some examples of this could be eating a snack, calling a friend, or even just stepping outside for a quick walk before sitting down to start homework. These all can work well as structured transitions. Best of all? In addition to reducing homework refusal, this approach also builds cognitive flexibility and task initiation - two critical Executive Function skills. 

4. What Outside Support Can Help with Homework Refusal? 

If you’ve read through all this and at any point said to yourself “this is too much for me to do alone,” then it might be worth looking for outside support. For homework refusal, one of these three options might be the best choice, depending on your student’s core challenge area. 

Executive Function Coaching

Executive Function coaches work on strengthening the core self-management skills of time management, task initiation, organization, emotional regulation, and planning & prioritizing. Since challenges in these areas can make homework much more difficult to approach (let alone finish), working with a coach 1:1 to apply strategies in their week to strengthen these key areas can prove to be the missing ingredient for overcoming homework refusal. Best of all, coaches provide a different perspective from a parent or teacher and can be viewed as an ally in a student's journey rather than another person telling them what they need to do. You can learn about our approach to Executive Function coaching here. 

Behavioral Therapy 

If your child has more involved core issues such as anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or other  neuropsychological profiles, it’s worth researching occupational or behavioral therapists near you who specialize in those particular areas. Once those support links are in place, parents, coaches, and tutors all have a much higher likelihood of success at empowering kids to overcome their homework refusal.

Tutoring 

If every Executive Function and behavioral factor are accounted for and homework is still a battle, then a tutor in the subject area your student is struggling in may be the best support option. A good tutor can fill in gaps that are holding a student back in a particular subject and give them a new teaching perspective to make the information really stick. 

The Takeaway

Your student's homework refusal can feel like an exhausting problem with no solutions, but there are a number of approaches you can use to improve the situation at home. A good combination of understanding why your child is refusing homework, what role your parenting plays in the equation, and what strategies and supports you can lean on all provide the foundation your student needs for a lasting transformation. Above all, know that change is possible!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

About the Author

Sean potts and jackie hebert.

Sean Potts is the Marketing Specialist at Beyond BookSmart and a recent graduate of Ithaca College’s Integrated Marketing Communications program. As a former coaching client and intern at BBS, Sean has spent the better part of the last ten years witnessing firsthand the positive impact Beyond BookSmart's mission has on transforming students’ lives. Jackie Hebert is the Director of Marketing for Beyond BookSmart. Whether it's managing our websites, overseeing our social media content, authoring and editing blog articles, or hosting webinars, Jackie oversees all Marketing activities at Beyond BookSmart. Before joining Beyond BookSmart in 2010, Jackie was a Speech-Language Pathologist at Needham High School. She earned her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

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This Concept Transformed My Life With ADHD

Understanding the interest-based nervous system..

Posted August 17, 2024 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods

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Living with ADHD can feel like you're constantly battling your own brain—knowing what needs to be done but struggling to make it happen. Before I was diagnosed, procrastination seemed like an unavoidable part of my life. Even the simplest tasks, like sending an email or preparing a meal, felt daunting. I’d often find myself staring at a blank screen or avoiding tasks altogether.

For those of us with ADHD, procrastination isn’t limited to big projects; it can extend to everyday activities, even when we know completing them would make us feel better. The challenge lies in our brains’ craving for high stimulation and immediate rewards—the kind that trigger a dopamine release and fuel our motivation . This concept, described by psychiatrist William Dodson, is known as the "interest-based nervous system ."

Unlike neurotypicals, who are driven by an importance-based nervous system, those of us with ADHD need tasks to be new, urgent, challenging, or interesting to get them done. This realization has been a game-changer for me, helping me understand why traditional motivators don’t work as well for people with ADHD and why adapting tasks to fit into one of these categories can make a world of difference.

What Is the Interest-Based Nervous System?

The interest-based nervous system is a framework that explains why some tasks are particularly hard to complete for people with ADHD. For someone with this type of brain wiring, a task needs to meet one of the following criteria to get done:

• Novelty : The task needs to be new or different to capture and sustain attention .
• Interest : It should be inherently interesting to the individual.
• Urgency : There must be an immediate need to complete the task.
• Challenge : The task should present a challenge or create a sense of competition .

This system contrasts with the way neurotypical individuals function, as they tend to complete tasks based on importance, external rewards, or avoiding consequences. For them, meeting a deadline or avoiding penalties might be enough motivation. But for those of us with ADHD, we need to approach tasks differently to get them done effectively.

How to Use the Interest-Based Nervous System to Your Advantage

Understanding this system can be transformative for managing ADHD. By reframing tasks within these four motivators, you can make them more approachable and less overwhelming. Here are some strategies that have worked for me and my clients:

• Switch Up Routines : Regularly change your routine to keep things interesting.
• Try New Approaches : Experiment with different methods of completing the same task, like trying a new recipe or a new route to work.
• Pair Tasks With New Experiences : Listen to a new podcast or explore new music while doing routine chores.
• Align Tasks With Your Passions : If you love technology, use apps or gadgets to help manage repetitive tasks like reminders or scheduling.
• Add Personal Touches : If you’re creative, use customized tools for work or study, like decorating your workspace with your own artwork.
• Combine Tasks With Enjoyable Activities : If you thrive on social interaction, make phone calls or video chats part of your routine while doing mundane tasks like cleaning or organizing.
• Create Deadlines : Set artificial deadlines for yourself to instill a sense of urgency.
• Involve Others : Have someone hold you accountable, like planning a reward for meeting a deadline together.
• Reward Yourself : Give yourself a treat after finishing a task to build positive reinforcement.

• Make Tasks Fun : Turn chores into games or friendly competitions, like seeing who can tidy up faster.
• Set Personal Records : Challenge yourself to complete a task in a certain time, then try to beat that time next time.

Learning about the interest-based nervous system has made a huge difference in my life. It's not just about understanding my brain better; it's about using that understanding to create strategies that work for me. If you or someone you know faces similar challenges, exploring this concept can provide valuable insights and practical solutions. By finding ways to incorporate novelty, interest, urgency, and challenge into your tasks, you can transform your approach to everyday activities, making life more manageable and enjoyable.

Netzer Turgeman, R., & Pollak, Y. (2023). Using the temporal motivation theory to explain the relation between ADHD and procrastination. Australian Psychologist , 58 (6), 448–456. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2023.2218540

Bodalski, E.A., Flory, K., Canu, W.H. et al. ADHD Symptoms and Procrastination in College Students: The Roles of Emotion Dysregulation and Self-Esteem. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 45, 48–57 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-022-09996-2

Janina Maschke, Ph.D., is an ADHD and Executive Functioning coach, author, and Subject Matter Expert in ADHD.

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Understanding ADHD Treatment: A Guide for Patients and Families

• August 13, 2024

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects many kids and adults. Common symptoms include difficulty concentrating and an inability to control actions. But, with the right treatment, people with ADHD can live happy and successful lives.

In this article, we will explain what ADHD is, the different types of ADHD treatment available, and how families can support their loved ones with ADHD.

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder – a condition that affects how the brain works. People with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, sitting still, or controlling their actions. There are three main types of ADHD:

• Inattentive Type : This means having trouble paying attention.
• Hyperactive-Impulsive Type : This means being very active and having trouble controlling actions.
• Combined Type : This means having trouble paying attention and controlling action, as well as being very active.

Why is ADHD Treatment Important

ADHD treatment is important because it helps manage the symptoms of ADHD . Without treatment, People with ADHD might struggle in school, work, and relationships. The right ADHD treatment can help improve focus, behavior, and overall quality of life.

Types ADHD Treatment

Medications.

One common form of ADHD treatment is medication that helps improve focus and reduce hyperactive and impulsive behaviors.

Many ADHD medications are stimulants. Most kids with ADHD see fewer ADHD symptoms when they take these medicines.

There are also non-stimulant medications available that are used when stimulants aren’t effective or cause too many side effects. Sometimes, providers prescribe antidepressants along with or without other ADHD medications. It’s important to note that antidepressants are not approved by the FDA for ADHD treatment.

Always talk to your child’s provider to find the best medication and dosage for them.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy is another important part of ADHD treatment . This type of therapy helps people learn new skills and behaviors to manage their ADHD symptoms.

For example, a provider might teach a child with ADHD how to stay organized, follow instructions, or control actions. Behavioral therapy can be very helpful for both children and adults with ADHD.

Lifestyle Changes

Some lifestyle changes can help as part of ADHD treatment. These include things like eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and having a consistent daily routine.

Good sleep habits are also very important for managing ADHD symptoms.

School Support

Children with ADHD may need extra support in school. This can include:

• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) – Tailored plans that address the child’s specific needs.
• 504 Plans – Provide accommodation like extra time on tests or homework help.

Parents or caregivers should work closely with teachers and school staff to ensure that their child receives the support they need.

How Parents and Families Can Help

Parents and families play a big role in supporting children with ADHD. Here is how families and loved ones can be of assistance to a child with ADHD:

Learn About ADHD

Understanding what ADHD is and how it affects your child is the first step. The more you know, the better you can support them.

Be Patient and Supportive

Living with ADHD can be challenging. Be patient and offer lots of support and encouragement to your child with ADHD.

Create a Routine

Having a consistent daily routine can help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Try to keep things like bedtime, meals, and homework time the same each day.

Set Clear Expectations

Make sure your child with ADHD knows what is expected of them. Clear rules and expectations can help reduce confusion and frustration.

Work with Professionals

Encourage your child to follow their ADHD treatment plan. Work with pediatricians, therapists , and teachers to provide the best support possible.

ADHD Treatment at MyCHN

ADHD can be challenging, but with the right treatment and support, children with ADHD can thrive. Medications, behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and educational support are all important parts of ADHD treatment.

Families play a crucial role in supporting their loved ones with ADHD. By learning about this condition and working together, families can help their loved ones lead happy and successful lives.

If you are looking for healthcare providers who offer personalized ADHD treatment for kids, visit us here at MyCHN . We offer professional and certified testing, treatment, and counseling for children with ADHD. Our expert pediatric team is dedicated to helping your child manage their symptoms and thrive both academically and socially.

If you would like to learn more about ADHD treatment or want to schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call us today at (281) 824-1480 or use our online form to become a patient at MyCHN. We look forward to serving you!

* This blog provides general information and discussions about health-related topics. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult your healthcare provider and seek professional medical treatment. Some of the information and content in this blog has linked materials. The links should and are not intended to be construed as medical advice and should not be supplemented as medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, locate emergency services or dial 911.

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Scripts to End Every Homework Fight

Steer your child through her nightly homework load — without being the bad guy or doing all the work — with these adhd-proof conversation guides..

The Homework Hurdles

Every child with ADHD experiences his or her own unique set of super powers and challenges. But one common thread unites all families living with attention deficit and learning disabilities: a hatred of homework .

The fact is, most parents in your shoes are exhausted from the repetitive fights, the missing assignments, and the hours and hours of wasted time. You know your child is smart and capable — which makes it extra frustrating when he delays starting a straightforward assignment, turns in work that’s incomplete, or forgets assignments altogether. Homework becomes a daily reminder of struggles and setbacks.

Taskmaster Trouble

When your child’s work doesn’t match up with his skills and intelligence, you might fall into the unrelenting role of “homework police.” As your child’s daily taskmaster, you’re nagging, poking, prodding, and cajoling on a nearly constant basis — which is awful for everyone. Micromanaging your child’s nightly workload won’t teach him any necessary life skills or help him learn. In fact, it’s likely to lead to resentment — and more homework fights in the long run!

A Better Role for Parents

“Strict supervisor” is not your only option. What you can (and should) do instead is set up routines and external structures that will help your child develop her executive functions and find the confidence to get her work done herself — without constant nagging . How can you do this? By providing guidance, offering support, and asking the right questions. Follow these scripts to get started on your healthier homework trajectory.

[ Free Download: Top 5 Homework Frustrations — and Fixes for Each ]

Script 1: Getting Organized

Did your child struggle with organization last year? Many parents adopt a “wait and see” strategy each fall, hoping their child “learned his lesson” from past slip-ups. This is wishful thinking — but not particularly helpful or productive. Instead, set up structure before the school year starts — and tweak it as the year progresses, and your child’s needs and skills shift.

Start with Transparency

What not to do: Walk into your child’s room and say, “Listen, buddy, there’s a new sheriff in town!”

Every good organization intervention begins with an open and honest conversation that’s positive and blame-free. Start by setting up a specific time to talk. Begin the dialogue calmly by saying something like, “Last year, we struggled with organization. I didn’t like nagging you all the time, and I’m sure you didn’t like it either. Let’s talk about some changes we can make this year to make it easier on both of us.”

Organization Strategies We Love

By actively soliciting your child’s input, you’re showing him that you understand his challenges and respect his autonomy. But you also need to suggest concrete changes that will actually help him get more organized. Following are a few of my favorites:

1. The Clean Sweep

Set up a recurring time — say every Sunday at 7 PM — when everyone in the family cleans up together. Your child can organize his backpack, while Mom goes through the mail, and Dad organizes the mud room. Getting everyone in on the routine makes organization feel like less of a punishment for your child, and the external structure of the recurring appointment will help him build his executive functions and develop stronger organization habits.

[ The ADHD Homework System We Swear By ]

2. The Homework Folder

The homework folders that help younger children remember to turn in assignments are often phased out in middle school. But a homework folder is a great tool for kids of any age — particularly those with ADHD who lose assignments constantly. It works like this: every incoming assignment goes in the left side of the folder, and upon completion it’s immediately placed in the right side. There, it’s easy to find once it’s time to turn it in — no more crumpled math worksheets or frantic phone calls home!

3. The Launch Pad

A launch pad is an area where your child can put everything she needs for school. This could be a box by the door or a set of hooks in the hallway or a special spot on the counter. Every night, before your child goes to sleep, help her get in the habit of putting everything she’ll need for school — backpack, shoes, jacket — on the launch pad. The next morning, there’s no scrambling; she simply picks up her stuff from its designated spot, and she’s ready for the school day!

Script 2: Setting Up a Homework Routine

“What’s the best time and place for kids to do homework?” I get this question a lot and the answer is not always satisfying: It really depends on where (and how) your child works best.

Try setting up multiple designated homework places — the dining room table, a home office, or the local library — that your child can move between as she pleases. If your child struggles to stay focused while doing homework in her bedroom, open up your discussion by suggesting some personal exploration. “Let’s try some other homework stations this year and see where you feel most productive,” you might say. Encourage your child to be a “detective” and make a game out of finding where she works best — you’ll teach her the skill of self-examination, and show that you trust her judgment of what she needs to be successful.

Helping Restless Kids

If your child squirms in his seat or can’t stop getting up during homework time, do not admonish him. Instead, help him redirect that energy by allowing him to work standing up, lying down, or while holding a small fidget toy . Children with ADHD tend to fidget as a way to relieve an internal pressure; by releasing that pressure through small constructive movements, they can actually focus better and be more productive. In other words, don’t fight the fidget!

Script 3: Getting Started

Getting started is often the hardest part of homework. If your child dillies and dallies after school — maybe struggling to disengage from a video game, or getting up to sharpen her pencil over and over again — help her understand her priorities and give her the push she needs to get started. But instead of demanding, “Why haven’t you started your homework?” try asking, “What are your priorities today?” This question will help a child figure out what she has to do first — instead of getting overwhelmed and shutting down.

Setting Up Structure

Instead of asking, “Did you study for your science test?” — which often elicits a one-word answer — try asking this: “What’s the first thing you can do to get ready for your test on Thursday?” You’ll help your child think critically about what can and should be done, without letting him off the hook from studying altogether. Another good question is, “What could get in your way?” This way, if your child has an upcoming soccer game, or knows he left his textbook at school, he can anticipate problems ahead of time — and figure out strategies for working around them.

Script 4: Estimating Time

Your child insists that her diorama will only take 30 minutes to build; it ends up taking more than three hours. Children with ADHD don’t procrastinate and underestimate time on purpose. Their internal clocks are quiet or easily stalled, making it difficult to estimate time. If this sounds familiar, try asking your child at the outset, “How long do you think this will take?” Once he’s done with the assignment, discuss how long it actually took — and help him identify which steps slowed him down the most or caused him to exceed his estimate. Next time, ask him to factor in those trouble spots before he starts and, as time goes on, he’ll get better at estimating how much time he actually needs.

Planning for Long-Term Assignments

Daily work is one thing; long-term projects are daunting and confusing in their own special way. If your child struggles to break down big assignments, try creating external rewards to be doled out when he reaches small, pre-determined milestones. If your child likes baseball or Pokémon cards, for instance, try breaking a new pack of cards into four parts. Tell him, “When you finish the research for your paper, you can have one pile. When you finish your first draft, you can have the second” — and so on. Physical rewards help kids with ADHD turn the abstract concepts of time and prioritization into something concrete — and motivate them to get their work done.

Script 5: Solving Procrastination Problems

Kids with ADHD have a very short “time horizon” — that is, they don’t look far into the future. And the shorter your time horizon, the harder it is to plan ahead and set up long-term goals. If your child has a big project due on Friday, but insists, “Don’t worry — I don’t need to start until Thursday,” that’s a red flag. But starting on Monday will never work because that doesn’t sync up with her time horizon. So start small by asking, “How about you start on Wednesday instead?” and set up structures to help make that happen. Ask her what would help the most — guidance with the first step, a friendly reminder, and/or time carved out on the family calendar — to start that assignment on time.

Talking Openly

Verbalizing your child’s experiences and empathizing with his struggles goes a long way toward helping him manage procrastination. If your child is delaying homework time more than usual, try saying, “I can tell getting started is hard for you today. What can I do to help?” Instead of blaming and shaming — “You’re still on the first problem?! But you have violin practice in 20 minutes!” — this approach shows you understand that his brain is facing ADHD barriers. By identifying his feelings and brainstorming ways to help, he’ll be better equipped to set up his own systems.

[ How to Focus After 4: Defying Homework Distractions ]

Bonus Resources

For more scripts, tips, and resources, visit Ann Dolin’s website, ectutoring.com !

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