Does your child have ADHD? Let's help them succeed in school (ADHD)

Is your child not staying in one place in class? Does school often complain that they are not paying attention to their work? Does they forget their homework? Or do you find it difficult to play with other children and make friends? As a parent, you must be very worried about these things. The cause of this situation may be a condition called ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). But don't worry, this is neither the child's fault nor your negligence. Let's understand this exactly and talk about how to help your child succeed in school.

Simply put, what is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that involves attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and impulsive behavior. Simply put, these children have a slightly different level of functioning of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in their brains. That's why they have these challenges.

This situation can cause the child to have all kinds of problems at school.

• Difficulty paying attention : It may be difficult to listen to what the teacher is teaching, follow long instructions, and complete work.
• Hyperactivity: Difficulty sitting still. Constantly getting up from a chair, fidgeting, and talking unnecessarily.
• Impulsivity: Doing things without thinking. Answering questions before they are finished, interrupting others, and not waiting for their turn.

These things can interfere with learning and socializing with friends.

Things you can do as a parent

Before you can help your child, as a parent, you need to be aware of this. The first and most important thing is to get a proper diagnosis from a qualified doctor . Talk to a pediatrician or psychiatrist about this.

The next most important thing is to work together with the school. Some countries have special laws (like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - IDEA) to help these children. Although our country does not have such a legal system, you can discuss the child's needs with the school principal and the class teacher and develop a support plan to help the child.

Let's see what support a child can receive from a plan like this.

Let's build a winning team together with teachers.

The two most important adults in your child's life are you and your child's teacher. Working together as a team is a great strength for your child.

• Meet and talk: Meet with the teacher on the first day of school and talk about your child's condition. ADHD affects each child differently. So explain how it affects your child, what his strengths are, and what things can help him.
• Speak positively: Instead of talking about your child's problems, talk about solutions . Instead of saying, "My child never listens," say something like, "When we look each other in the eye and talk in a quiet place, he can focus better."
• Stay in touch: If possible, talk to the teacher at least once a week. Ask about homework and behavior.
• Inform about changes: If you make a change in your child's medication (ADHD medication), inform the teacher about it. This way they can also see if there are any side effects or effects of the medication. It is also important to tell them about any major changes at home (e.g., death of a family member, parents' separation). These things can affect any child's behavior.
• Say thank you: If a teacher takes a special interest in your child and helps them, send them a little note to show your appreciation. It's a great encouragement to them.

Let's make the home environment child-friendly.

It is very important to help your child at home as well as at school. Creating a stable, orderly work environment is a great relief for your child.

Create a daily routine

It is very helpful for children with ADHD to plan their day and work at the same time. Write down the things they need to do in the morning and put them somewhere they can see them (like on the fridge).

• Get up.
• Make the bed.
• Eat breakfast.
• Put your homework in the bag.
• Get your bag, shoes, coat, and lunch.

A separate place to work from home

Create a quiet, tidy place to do your homework. It should be away from the TV and other noise sources. Turn your chair toward a wall rather than a window. This will help you focus less on what's going on outside.

Let's change the way we work from home.

Instead of giving them hours of homework at a time, break it up into chunks. For example, give them 20-minute chunks of homework and a 10-minute break. During that break, let them run around and play (not watch TV or use their phones). Then do another 20 minutes of homework. This way, they are less likely to feel tired or bored.

Incentives and rewards

Praise your child when they do a good job or complete an assignment. It's also a good idea to give them a small reward. This is not a bribe. Say something like, "If you finish your homework, you can watch cartoons for 30 minutes." This will give them a good motivation to finish the work.

Help get organized

Use color-coded folders to help organize your work for each subject. Set aside one folder for completed work and another for newly assigned work. This will help prevent homework from being forgotten at home or forgotten to be handed in at school.

ADHD, ADHD Sinhala, child's education, schools, teachers, attention problems, parenting advice