7 Simple ADHD Homework Tips to Keep You Sane, Save You Time and Get Results.

Is homework time at your house a nightmare to manage? Use these 7 Simple ADHD Homework Tips to help you keep your sanity, save time and get the job done.

Students with ADHD struggle with focus, organization, and stamina. You can use strategies to address these specific issues and get set up for a much easier work time.

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ADHD Homework Tip for FOCUS & ORGANIZATION:

"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people." 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Before your student can get focused on an assignment, you need to set up the best case scenario to avoid distractions and help concentration. Give them the best chance for order and peace. This WILL look different for different students.

1.Pick a spot:

Some students do well sitting at a desk or table, some do better laying on the floor or the couch. I've even had students who focus best when they are slightly confined....sitting in a laundry basket! Think about where your student likes to spend longer amounts of time doing preferred tasks (smartphone, iPad, etc). Try that same location...they've already proven they are comfortable there.

2.Remove unnecessary distractions from the area:

If there is a TV - unplug it. If there is a smartphone or iPad - remove it to another location until the homework is done. I have had students that DO focus better when there is background noise. This is totally ok as long as it is background noise. Nothing with visuals, nothing that pull attention. Fidgets are okay too, as long as they don't become the focus. Sitting by an open window might work, or sitting in a room with the blinds closed. It all depends on the student. Feel free to experiment and see what seems to work.

Removing distractions may also mean removing other siblings from the immediate area for the time being. While this can be hard depending on your living environment, it can still be done. This is a great opportunity to spend time reading quietly to the other siblings. Just make sure it isn't a book that your ADHD student will cause your ADHD student to feel left out.

3. Set up your chosen location with ALL THE TOOLS:

ADHD students are masters at "looking busy." They will not begin working because they need to: sharpen a pencil, get a bigger eraser, use the bathroom, get a drink, change clothes to be more comfortable, go get the colored pencils, forgot the worksheet in the backpack.

Make sure that all the tools are ready for each assignment, but only give them one assignment at a time and the necessary tools for that assignment. For example, you have a math worksheet that needs pencil, eraser, ruler and two crayons; but you also have a phonics paper that needs to be colored, cut and pasted....PICK ONE.

Too many tools will create distraction. Do one assignment at a time with one set of tools at a time.

Getting up to put away the assignment and switch tools will also provide a sensory break with movement and stimulation.

ADHD Homework Tip for STAMINA:

Some of this is already helped by picking a comfortable location, limiting distractions and having tools ready to go.

Stamina is mostly about timing and practice. Think about when you try to get better at doing something that isn't easy for you. Maybe you run or hold yoga poses or try to get your house cleaned (yep).

"To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life." Romans 2:7

If we do all things to the glory of God, that includes ALL things.. house

cleaning and homework alike.

You don't start out trying to do the whole thing in one shot when you're exhausted, hungry and have only half an hour before you need to be somewhere, do you?

This is all the more important to consider when you are dealing with ADHD.

4. Pick a good starting time.

It should be when your student is alert, already fed, and has at least one straight hour to work (including breaks). So, if your student has soccer at 4, dinner at 6 and needs to go to bed by 8:30, where could you fit that in? Maybe homework is from 6:45-7:45 or maybe you move dinner back half an hour. Try a few options and see what will work. HOWEVER, once you pick a time...STICK WITH IT!

Consistency is key with this. If you keep changing up when homework gets done...it isn't going to get done and it's going to be a battle.

5. Make sure your student has been fed.

None of us can work for long at anything if we are hungry. If your homework time is more than an hour from the last meal, give your student a snack or a glass of juice.

6. Set a clear end time or end condition.

You know that your student cannot work for hours on end, so plan a set amount of time and stick to it. Allow about an hour for students in grades 1-6. Remember this includes breaks! If it takes less time, Yay! If not, at least you planned for it and you set a max. Having an end in sight makes unpleasant tasks more bearable.

For students in middle and high school, it will depend on the classes they are taking. A general rule is approximately 3-3.5 hours per week per subject. Obviously that will vary depending on the classes and the teachers. If your student's course load is too heavy, you may need to make an appointment with the guidance counselor.

If setting a time limit ends up working against you (because your student figures out they can quit when the time is up), you can use an end condition.

For example, they can work until they have completed 2 worksheets, or written one paragraph or read 5 pages, etc.

For students in middle school and high school, you'll probably need to help them plan their work and hold them accountable. Set up a homework calendar and plan when each assignment for the week will be worked on, but try to keep the work time consistent each day.

7. So, what happens if they don't get it all done in that one hour?

That's the time to have a conversation with the teacher to talk about making some accommodations.

Most teachers will be willing to make adjustments to assignment length or frequency so long as the student is able to demonstrate understanding of the assignment. If your student can show what he knows by doing 10 math problems, why have him do 20?

I hope you have found these tips helpful and encouraging.

Remember....YOU ARE NOT ALONE in this journey.

Make sure to grab THE ADHD PRAYER JOURNAL FOR MOMS by clicking HERE!

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Check out the rest of my website and blog for more practical ideas to deal with daily ADHD issues and to find encouragement and support in this Journey: www.bethskaret.com

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