Struggle getting ready and with homework

[BornInPA]

My son (11 y.o.) is on ADHD meds. He really struggles with getting ready in the morning and with homework in the afternoon when the medication is no longer in his system. In the morning, I just started using music as a timer (trying to prompt him less). I play one song for getting dressed and then another song for brushing hair and teeth. And in the afternoon, I do 20 minute blocks of time with 10 minute breaks for homework. What are some ways you are able to motivate your kids to do required tasks when medication is not in their system?

[LisethHIS]

Good day, BornInPA,

Thank you for contacting CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD. When it comes to routines, consistency is key. Here are a few tips that might help him with his morning routine and homework. chadd.org/for-parents/homew... d393uh8gb46l22.cloudfront.n... and d393uh8gb46l22.cloudfront.n...

If there is anything else you need, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Liseth

Health Information Specialist

CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD

chadd.org

[BornInPA in reply to LisethHIS]

Thank you so much! I'm already enjoying the "ADHD School Toolkit" link that has Webinars located on the last page. What great resources!

[Mamamichl]

Lofi music works for me. Visual timers too. Teach him how to reward himself with little things. Though you dont want to do a lot of edible reinforcers, it may be a good place to start. You can also tell him he gets extra time on electronics or gets to choose dinner one night of the week, or even gets out of a chore. This can all be tied to x number of minutes working hard in x number of minute cycles.

As a special education teacher, I know you can request only pertinent homework or shortened assignments on his IEP (which are common for kids with ADHD), so that he is not overly bogged down. You can also request him being allowed to use speech to text to write assignments. Audiobooks are also your friend for readings. Letting him drink caffeine helps some too (cola, coffee, or energy drinks). Another thing that helps for many with ADHD is writing the assignment into smaller, manageable tasks and doing only a couple tasks each day. This could look like:

“having to write a 5 paragraph essay”…

Pick topic.,Find 3 resources on the topic, write outline, write intro, write body paragraph (1, or 2 or 3), write conclusion, revise, edit, etc.

this could be done in multiple days instead of all at once. Make a checklist and tell him he only needs to do 1-2 of those a day and certain other assignments.