11 Homework Tips to Help Kids with ADHD (and Others, too!)

For many children, homework is not a favorite word or activity. In fact, it is often the one word that causes more conflict than most during the school year for both students and their parents. When the issue of ADHD is also introduced into the mix, homework can become the catalyst for much angst in a home. So, what are parents to do? Should they immediately talk with their child's teacher to seek assistance? Should punishment be a method of making the child complete the homework assigned? Would some other approach be advisable?

It is always a good idea to discuss concerns about your child her teachers, but the idea of using punishment rarely solves any problem long-term. In fact, it can often create more problems than it solves. Punishment related to homework also does little to build a good parent/child relationship. Positive incentives for behavior modification are nearly always a good idea, especially when those incentives are chosen by the child and approved by the parent. Ownership of the issue is more readily accepted and then addressed by the child.

There are other strategies that can assist parents with problems related to on-time homework completion. We thought at the beginning of this new school year a list of such strategies might be helpful to many, especially to those parents of children with ADHD who struggle to focus and follow through with tasks in a timely manner---both inside and outside of the classroom. We hope you will discover at least one or two in this list of tips or strategies to help you and your child create a peaceful AND productive environment for homework at your house!

Helpful Homework Strategies for Kids with ADHD (and Others)

1. Consistency is important. Arrange for your child to study and complete class assignments in the same room or location each day. A desk or table where minimal distractions can occur is advised (a corner of a room with the student facing that corner is a good option).

2. Set aside a specific amount of time for homework each weekday. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that for each grade level, 10 minutes of homework is reasonable (i.e., for a student in grade 4, approximately 40 minutes of homework would be appropriate.) If your child finishes early, he or she can then read, write a thank you note to relatives or play an educational game online or offline.

3. Use a timer for the period set aside for homework. This will be one way to help your child focus more effectively since the timer will give the child a good sense of how much time tasks might take to complete.

4. Help your child develop a good and positive mindset for the homework tasks. If the child is tired or stressed (especially during periods in the late afternoon after school dismissal), allow some time for her to relax, have a snack to help replenish energy levels, play outside or indoors or listen to soothing music to help decompress BEFORE tackling the homework assignments.

5. If needed, step in to slow down the rate at which your child is attempting to complete the homework. Ask him questions like, "Will your teacher be able to read your work?" or "Do you think you are doing your best work there?" Notice that these questions are phrased not to reflect YOUR opinion but that of others. Asking such questions will help your child develop better reading and study habits going forward.

6. Encourage your child to review her work, both for content accuracy (expression of ideas/answers, spelling, etc.) and handwriting clarity (penmanship, etc.) This will no doubt not only improve the quality of that homework but also raise your child's sense of pride in work well done.

7. Help your child break down assignments into chunks or a series of smaller tasks (in a list format with perhaps only 2 revealed at a time.) This approach can be invaluable for large and long-term assignments. For such projects, remember to establish a timeline that is reviewed every few days to confirm progress and timeliness of completing smaller goals of the assignment. This will help to affirm your child and establish accountability for her.

8. Provide assistance and resources for your child when answers are not forthcoming or there appears to be a struggle of some kind. Depending on what you observe, this could mean a trip to your local public library for reference materials, etc., a computer session with your child locating needed resources for an assignment or other activity with your child to help explain an important concept. In some cases, you may need to advocate for your child. This may become an opportunity to seek out more specific accommodations or other resources from your child's teacher, a reading specialist or even a medical professional for an evaluation of the learning challenges you observe.

9. Remind your child of his strengths and de-emphasize (but don't forget) weaknesses. This will him help approach the homework tasks with more confidence and help boost self-esteem, too.

10.Use color coding in as many ways as possible to help with the reading, study and organization of assignments. Ask your child to write down every assignment in one place. For older, high school students who have phones, request that they record their assignments in the phone or send themselves a text message with the assignment complete with due date.

11.Provide your child with a 2-pocket folder for his completed work. This folder can be used for this folder for any school papers you need to sign as well.

Sources

8 Tips to Help Grade-Schoolers with Learning and Attention Issues Slow Down on Homework-by Kate Kelly, Understood.org
https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/learning-at-home/homework-study-skills/8-tips-to-help-grade-schoolers-with-learning-and-attention-issues-slow-down-on-homework?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3JWZ5OnA1gIVgSSGCh0bCQNNEAAYASAAEgLMYvD_BwE

10 Homework Tips for ADHD Children-by Eileen Bailey, HealthCentral.com
http://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/10-homework-tips-adhd-children#slide=10

For more information on customizable reading tools for better focus & attention, please visit:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com

Can SQ3R Help Students with ADHD?

As many of our readers may already know, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) can begin in childhood and continue into adulthood. ADHD and ADD symptoms, such as impulsiveness, inattentiveness and hyperactivity (with ADHD) can cause problems at home, school, work or in relationships.

As we begin the new school year, we wanted to offer information this week that would be helpful throughout the school year to challenged students, especially to those with ADHD. That is why we have written this article about SQ3R, a method of study that has helped many students in all age groups to read and study more effectively and successfully. This method can be especially beneficial to those students in middle school through high school and college. However, can this method called SQ3R help students with ADHD?

Before we answer that question, it will be helpful to understand just what SQ3R is. SQ3R helps a student build a framework to understand a reading assignment and prepare for a test or other assessment. It is a FREE reading and study strategy formed from its letters: Survey! Question! Read! Recite! Review!

1. SURVEY the chapter BEFORE you read it:
• Look at the title, headings, and subheadings.
• Look at captions under pictures, charts, graphs or maps.
• Look at review questions or teacher-made study guides.
• Pay attention to introductory and concluding paragraphs.
• Look at the summary of the section.

2. QUESTION WHILE you are doing the survey:
• Turn the title, headings, and/or subheadings of the section into questions.
• Read questions at the end of the chapters or after each subheading.
• Ask yourself, "What did my instructor say about this chapter or subject
when it was assigned?"
• Ask yourself, "What do I already know about this subject?"
Note: If it is helpful to you, write out these questions for consideration.
This variation is called SQW3R.

3. As you READ:
• Look for answers to the questions you first raised.
• Answer questions at the beginning or end of chapters or study guides.
• Re-read captions under pictures, graphs, etc.
• Note all the underlined, italicized, bold printed words or phrases.
• Study any graphics (photos, diagrams, etc.)
• Reduce your reading speed for difficult passages.
• Stop and re-read parts which are not clear.
• Read only a section at a time AND recite after each section.

4. RECITE AFTER you read a section:
• Orally ask yourself questions about what you have just read, or summarize, in your own words, what you read
• Take notes from the text but write the information in your own words.
• Underline or highlight important points you've just read.
• Reciting: The more senses you use the more likely you are to remember what you read.
For example: “Triple strength” learning: Seeing, saying, hearing
“Quadruple strength” learning: Seeing, saying, hearing and writing!

5. REVIEW---This is an ongoing process

(Source: Study Guides and Strategies---SQ3R Reading Method http://www.studygs.net/texred2.htm)

The steps involved in the SQ3R method make it an ideal tool to use when attention and memory may be issues for a student. For this reason and others, the SQ3R method may be particularly helpful to students challenged with ADHD because it promotes better understanding and retention of what is read and learned. However, to follow each of these steps, it will take time and patience, two things with which those with ADHD are already challenged. Support from others could go a long way in implementing this method. Parents and teachers as well as tutors and ADD coaches would be doing students a great service by introducing them to this SQ3R method of reading and study as well as providing ongoing support.

Additional SQ3R Resources

Strategic Reading Resource Center---Strategy Toolbox: Combinations---SQ3R
There are several strategies related to questioning. The following sources on this page provide some background on questioning, including the SQ3R Method.
http://www.iptv.org/pd/strategicreading/rws_stratcombo.cfm

Studying More Effectively
SQ3R helps you think about what you want to get from a document, study it in an appropriate level of detail, and remember information well.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_02.htm
More information at: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_02.htm#sthash.e9n7U6gu.dpuf

Other Related Resources

ADHD: What Is It? (Slideshow)
This online presentation from WebMD defines and describes ADHD, a condition that the National Institute of Mental Health estimates 3% to 5% of U.S. children may have. However, some experts believe the figure could be as high as 10%. Learn more by viewing the presentation via this link.
http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-in-children

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: Brennan Innovators, LLC: http://www.focusandread.com/blog/post/3537480

Simple Homework Tips for ADHD

Some parents have reported improvement in the management of their children's ADHD with specifically modified diets and/or the addition of nutritional supplements. Other parents have somewhat reluctantly decided on medications recommended by their children's pediatricians to help with focus and attention in school. However, there is a strong possibility that vitamins B12 or B6 and even prescribed medications may not be able to do EVERYTHING to help your child with ADHD.

We often like to mention that it is always a good idea to begin managing attention issues with simple strategies, tips and tools to help your child achieve and maintain more focus and follow-through, especially when a he is challenged with ADHD. Special strategies can be particularly important when the topic of homework is presented. Parents often ask us, "What tips do you recommend for the 'homework wars' we face on many weeknights?" or "Do you have a good list of ideas to help my child complete all his needed assignments?"

To help answer these questions, we are listing here some good but simple strategies and tips to help your child challenged with ADHD---and you!

Helpful Homework Strategies and Organizational Tips for ADHD

1. First of all, a daily homework or assignment notebook is key. Make certain that your child has one from the first day of a new term. Some schools provide this automatically as part of the curriculum materials for their students. If this is not the practice at your child's school, it will be a very good investment to purchase one for him.

2. “Gently” request of your child’s teacher that she "sign off" in his assignment notebook at the end of each day (like a double check that all needed work is listed and materials are in the backpack). This is considered an “accommodation” for children with attention challenges and/or organizational issues. If your child is currently enrolled in a departmental program, each teacher may need to be asked for this accommodation after each class.

Many schools will provide this described accommodation if kindly requested. There are some school districts, however, that will require an IEP to be in place before this accommodation to be provided. In still other districts, online access to homework assignments is available to parents. Yet, even this technology cannot ensure that your child will have brought home the needed books and other materials for the work to be completed.

3. Prepare a dedicated place for your child to study each evening (without the presence of “entertainment” tech devices). Yes, a computer may be necessary for homework, but provide appropriate rules for its use---ahead of time. Make sure that all supplies and materials are at-hand to prevent excessive “wandering” and other distractions.

4. Use Post-It notes at eye level in the study space (or elsewhere for other chores/jobs). They can serve as very good, VISUAL reminders of tasks still needing attention and follow-through. You might even suggest a different color note for each subject or other description. It can be somewhat “satisfying” for your child to take down and tear up a sticky note for a homework assignment or job well done.

5. Allow your child to have a few breaks and some physical movement before, during and after homework sessions. A brief walk outside for just 5 minutes or so can be all that is needed to re-focus and study even more effectively upon return.

6. Have all items needed for school prepared and ready the EVENING BEFORE a school day:
a. Set the breakfast table each weeknight for the next school day. Even place the cereal boxes (unsweetened, of course) within reach there.
b. Ask your child to put all assignments and supplies inside his back-pack and then you can CHECK to see that all is packed away as needed. The back-pack should then be placed near the exit door.
c. Choose and lay out (or hang up) all school clothing within reach in your child’s room.

7. Remember to INVOLVE your child in each of the above preparations, teaching him to think ahead, helping him develop good organizational skills and enabling him to see that good habits like these can result in much more academic success for him---and PEACE at home!

8. To see a FREE printable list of MORE strategies for both home AND the classroom, please visit http://www.focusandread.com/learning-strategies.

We hope that you will try the strategies described here with your child. They could make a real difference in your child's academic success this school year.

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

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