The school is in full swing now. School work, home work, tests, quizzes, after school activity are all on schedule. This is also the time that teachers are recognizing that some of the students may be finding the classes challenging, other students may be missing home work, parents are hearing from the teachers and wondering how to help their kids. It can be a stressful time for all concerned.
If your child is in elementary or middle school and has been diagnosed with ADHD he/ she may showing impulsive behavior at school, missing homework, failing tests, or having friend problems. This ofcourse can be difficult for the student, the parents, and the teacher
Here are some brief suggestions to help you ,
1. Get to know your child's strengths and weakness. Praise his/her strengths, while working towards specific goals. Establish consequences for behaviors.
2. Have a place/ time for regular home and help your child with homework if possible.
3. Establish regular communication with the teacher/ counselor.
4. Ask for a meeting with the teacher or the school based support team if your child will benefit from special accommodations. Ask for extra help at school.
5. Teach the child simple strategies he or she can use. For example, placing homework in the folder at home, doing the challenging work first before they get tired, tolerating frustration, taking breaks, etc.
6.Talk to your child's Pediatrician if medication will benefit your child.
7.Enrolling the child in sport activity is helpful sometimes.
8.Young children may benefit from a behavior chart.
9. For younger children play date with one child may be helpful.
If the child is anxious, the child may complain of headaches or stomach aches. Getting a physical exam with your pediatrician is helpful to rule out physical causes. If the headaches and stomach aches are caused by stress, here are some brief suggestions for parents :
1 Teach your child some simple stress management techniques like relaxation response and focusing on the breath when feeling overwhelmed
2. Learning to tolerate anxiety and recognizing that headaches and stomach aches may be caused by feeling tense and nervous.
- Talk to the school psychologist and if needed have your child meet with the psychologist on a regular basis.