Success at school isn’t the sole responsibility of teachers. There are many things parents can do to help a child with ADHD thrive in the classroom.
How Parents Can Support Success at School
Communicating with teachers
Tell your child’s teacher(s) about the child’s ADD/ADHD issues and possible interventions as the school year begins.
Take as a given that the teacher is acting in your child’s best interests; support the teacher’s efforts.
Be available for regular conferences in person or on the phone.
Educate yourself about how ADHD affects school performance.
Check your child’s notebook every day for homework assignments, communiqués from the school, and items that need your signature.
Homework
Make sure your child has a quiet, uncluttered place to do homework.
Help your child with homework, breaking down assignments into smaller tasks and keeping the child focused. Have a regular time for homework and allow for frequent breaks.
Reinforce study skills such as highlighting, note taking, and reading out loud.
Praise your child for work done well — and remember, “good” is not necessarily the same as “perfect.”
Check that completed homework and other materials are where they’re supposed to be when your child leaves for school.
Behavior
Have a reward system for good days or weeks at school.
Regularly praise your child for appropriate behavior at school.
Help your child develop social skills.
Collaborate with the teacher on behavior interventions.
Involve the school counselor or psychologist if necessary.