How to make schoolwork easier for a child with ADHD? (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD)

No child likes to do homework. But if your child has ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), this 'homework' time can be a very difficult and stressful experience for him as well as for you. A task that other children complete in an hour may take your child two to three hours, maybe even more. If this is causing constant fights and shouting at home, don't worry. Today, we will talk about some ways to help your child pay attention and complete their homework in an orderly manner.

1. Should we create a separate place just for studying?

It is very important that your child study in the same place every day. This is because children with ADHD have a tendency to lose their focus very quickly. Therefore, the study area should be as quiet and free from distractions as possible.

Imagine a child studying at a table in the middle of the living room. At that time, his favorite cartoon is playing on TV, he can hear his younger brother and sister playing, and his mother is talking from the kitchen. How can a child focus on his studies with all this going on?

So here's what to do:

• Separate space: Depending on the space available at home, prepare a small table and chair specifically for studying. It is better to have the table facing a wall than a window, as this will reduce the distraction of things outside.
• Remove distractions: Keep the area away from toys, phones, tablets, and TVs.
• 'White Noise': Some children find that a continuous, soft sound (like a fan) helps them focus and block out distracting noises. A small fan can be used for this.

2. Break your study time into small chunks.

Does your child start out enthusiastic about something, but after a while, they lose interest and become bored? This is because it is very difficult for an ADHD brain to focus on the same thing for an hour or two at a time.

The solution is to break up your study time into smaller chunks.

Imagine you have an hour to study. Instead of doing it all at once, break it up into 20-20-20 minutes.

• Make the first 20 minutes or so.
• Then give him a short break of 5-10 minutes. During this time, let him eat a small snack, drink some water, or take a short walk.
• Do the Sinhala lesson for the next 20 minutes.
• A little rest again.
• Do the rest of the math again in the last 20 minutes.

When you switch subjects in this way, your child will feel less bored. They will also feel less like the work is difficult, and the quality of the work they do will increase.

3. Let's get used to working on a schedule.

Children with ADHD have a hard time managing their time . They also tend to be easily distracted. The best solution to both of these problems is a well-structured schedule.

• Break down your homework into smaller tasks: Instead of giving it all in one big task, break it down into smaller tasks that can be completed in a few minutes. For example, instead of saying "Do your math homework," give it a separate task like "Make the first 5 numbers," "Make the next 5 numbers," and so on.
• Use a timer: Set a timer for every little task (like an alarm app on your phone or an egg timer in the kitchen). Set the timer to say, "You have 10 minutes to do these 5 numbers." This will help him understand time, and you'll be less likely to have to yell, "Hurry up, hurry up!"
• Big Projects: Break down big school projects (e.g., a model for a science fair, a book review) into smaller, more manageable parts, and assign a separate day for each part. These small ADLs will help you complete the work without having to rush at the last minute.

4. Let's coordinate study work with the time of medication administration.

This is especially important if your child is taking medication for ADHD. These medications usually don't work the same way throughout the day.

Often, medications work best during the day after taking them. That's when a child's attention span is at its peak. But in the evening, as the medication wears off, they may find it difficult to concentrate on their studies again.

5. Let's encourage each other by giving small gifts.

This is not a bribe. This is a way to encourage a child to do good. When a child does something good, there is nothing wrong with giving them a little appreciation or a gift. This little encouragement can make a big difference.

For example, you could create a 'star chart'. When he completes his homework for the day, let him put a star on it. When he reaches 5 or 10 stars, give him a small reward that he likes. It could be a favorite snack, a chance to play a video game for 30 minutes, or extra time to play with you.

6. Let's help give the homework to the teacher.

This is also a big problem faced by parents of children with ADHD. The child works hard for hours and does all the homework. But the next day, he leaves the book at home, or even if it is in his school bag, he forgets to give it to the teacher. This is not a laziness or carelessness of the child. This is also a part of the ADHD condition.

To help with this, create a system that works smoothly.

• Colored Files: Use files with different colors for each subject.
• Separate Pockets: Set aside one pocket in the file for "New Assignments" and another for "Finished Homework." Join your child in checking this file every evening when they get home and in the morning before they go to school.

Additional tip: Stay in touch with your teacher regularly.

This is very important for all three of you, the child, and the teacher. A child with ADHD is more likely to forget a homework assignment or misunderstand instructions.

Therefore, stay in touch with your child's class teacher. Talk to them at least once a week and ask about the upcoming week's assignments. Some schools post homework online or email it to parents. Ask your child's teacher to let you know if they miss any work. Working together in this way will be a great boost to your child's educational journey .

ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Children's Health, Mental Health, Studying, Homework, Education