How Can I Help My ADD Child at School?

Attention Deficit Disorder is a common condition among children. Its intensity can vary greatly, with some children having minor problems with concentration and others having severe academic problems or very poor impulse control. Helping a child with ADD means looking at her as a person, not a condition. Each ADD or ADHD child has different needs and requires a different approach.

Develop a Treatment Plan

Helping your ADD child doesn't start in the school, but in the doctor's office. If you suspect that your child may have ADD or ADHD, it is important to talk to your pediatrician about it. The pediatrician may have you and your child fill out a written evaluation such as a BASC (behavior assessment system for children) or undergo behavioral testing.

Discuss the different treatment options available. Many pediatricians are quick to medicate attention deficit disorder children, so you may want to see a specialist if your pediatrician is not familiar with the full range of ADD treatment options. Your child may get excellent results from a behavior modification program or another drug-free treatment. Work with your child to keep a record of how she responds to the treatment. It may take several tries before you find an approach that works to control her symptoms.

Be an Advocate

One of the most important things a parent can do for a child with ADD or ADHD is to develop a positive relationship with the teachers and administrators. Introduce yourself to your child's teachers and find out as much as you can about their educational philosophy, curriculum and classroom expectations. Check in regularly with the teacher to find out what problems your child is having in class. Attention Deficit Disorder can cause a variety of problems, including difficulty focusing in class, restlessness and acting out, so you need to work with the teacher to find out what issues your child has and correct them. In particular, be sure your child is turning in his homework. ADD and ADHD kids are notorious for forgetting to turn in or losing their work.

If your child has particularly severe ADD or ADHD, you may want to set up an Individual Education Plan or IEP. An IEP will ensure that your child gets the accommodations he needs and help him to set and achieve goals. Schools are legally required to grant IEPs to students with learning and other disabilities, including ADD and ADHD.

Work at Home

Your Attention Deficit Disorder child will probably require a lot of help with organization. Work with her to set up schedules and checklists to keep track of her homework and other obligations. Set a schedule for doing homework that works for both of you. If your child has trouble concentrating for long periods of time, you can allow her to divide her homework into two blocks. If she gets restless, let her stand up while she works.

Most importantly, hold your child accountable for her conduct and recognize her accomplishments. Check in with your child every day to make sure she has completed and turned in her assignments. Set behavior goals with your child if she is being disruptive in school or at home. You can reward her with privileges for good behavior and punish her by removing those privileges for poor conduct just like any other child.

Source:

WebMD: ADHD---Helping Your Child Get the Most out of School

Wisegeek.com: How Can I Help My ADD Child?