3 Coping Mechanisms for Children with ADHD

If you’re a parent with a child who’s been recently diagnosed with ADHD, it can feel overwhelming to learn how to help a child cope with everyday life. ADHD impacts every area of a child’s life. From completing homework assignments to interacting with their peers, ADHD is a disorder that affects a child’s mental and emotional health as well as their relationships.

3 Coping Mechanisms for Children with ADHD

Are you struggling to know how to help your child perform better in school or at home? Here are three coping mechanisms for children with ADHD:

1. Break things down

One of the symptoms of ADHD is that they become easily overwhelmed. They begin their school day or homework intending to complete it on time, only to go down a rabbit hole of phone time or other distractions that make it nearly impossible for them to complete their homework.

Additionally, a child can complete his or her homework, only to leave it in their backpack the next day and never turn it in to their teacher. This can cause a student to get failing grades even when the work has been done and is correct. The best way to cope with this is to break things down into chunks.

When the child comes home, ask them if they have homework. If they say no, check their backpack. If they do have homework, encourage them to complete their homework before any other fun activities – including sports – are completed. Set the example that work needs to be completed first before anything else. If a child has more than one or two homework assignments, help them prioritize by asking them to complete the hardest one first.

For example, if your child struggles in Math, you can ask them to finish the Math assignment first. They are the freshest when they first begin an assignment. As their focus wanes, get them to complete the easier tasks, giving them breaks in between. Set a timer for every fifteen to thirty minutes.

When that time is done, and they have completed some (or all) of an assignment, give them a break. Allow them to get up, have some screen time, or go outside. Then have them reset the timer for another thirty minutes of work.

2. Set reminders

Another symptom of ADHD is forgetfulness. Even kids with the best intentions forget what is due for homework or forget what needs to be done. Ask the teacher to write down directions on a piece of paper for the child. When the child comes home, review those directions with them. Make sure they comprehend what they are doing.

Once they complete each direction, have them place a checkmark next to it. This will help them keep order as to where they are in the assignment. Kids who are older and have cell phones fare better with a reminder from their phone. Have them write down their assignments and set a timer to remind them to complete them. Having it pop up on their phone will be a good reminder for them to complete their work.

3. Get an individualized plan for ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD manifest differently for each child. Just as Autism is a spectrum, ADHD is also. Therefore, not every child with ADHD functions the same way. Some struggle with forgetfulness, while others struggle more with completing assignments on time. Work with the school once you’ve received the official diagnosis from the doctor and ask them to do an individualized education plan.

This plan is tailored specifically to your child to get them the help and support they need in the classroom. If the child is easily distracted, have them sit close to the teacher or even next to the teacher, if necessary. Have a teacher remind them to bring certain books home and make sure their homework is in their backpack. These simple reminders will help a child with ADHD avoid the pitfalls that may cause them not to perform well in school.

While a child may feel alone and isolated when receiving an ADHD diagnosis, they are not alone. Partner with your school and get the personal help and support they need. Don’t be afraid to ask for and access the support available for your child. By giving your child the support he or she needs, you are writing them a prescription for their academic success.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a counselor to guide you through parenting children with ADHD, please contact our office at Rowlett Christian Counseling in Texas today.