If you’re like me, you’re probably a little excited to have the kids back in school and returning to a routine… but not thrilled about the return of homework.
Homework is hard for many kids during the school year, and it can be downright painful for children and teens with ADHD and other executive functioning challenges. Trouble with attention regulation, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are hallmark challenges associated with ADHD, and in the classroom, it can present as distractibility, blurting out answers, constantly getting out of their chair, or even daydreaming.
We’ve dealt with all of the above at one point or another, and after a lot of hard work, we’re in a good place in terms of classroom management. Our son does really well in school, but when he walks in the door after holding it together all day, he’s ready to let loose, get loud, and party… homework is the last thing on his mind.
Nearly one in ten school-aged kids have ADHD, which makes homework a struggle for many families. To help lessen the stress this year, we got reacquainted with content from various parent trainings and group sessions we’ve done over the years. I pulled together seven of my favorite tips to establish an ADHD-friendly homework routine.
Don’t dive right in
Most kids come home exhausted from school. The last thing they want to do is more work, so consider allowing downtime first. Whether it’s a snack, a short show on TV, or a quick bike ride, encouraging the kids to unwind from the school day can help reset the focus before tackling homework.
Establish a homework time
Building on the last tip, set a non-negotiable homework time that you can stick to. A designated time will not only establish a routine, but it should help to eliminate the getting-started struggle, which can be half the battle for our ADHD kids. Take it a step further and help improve their time management skills by maintaining a weekly schedule that lists homework start and end times and other extracurricular activities each day.
Have a homework-only space
Whether it’s your dining room table (like us!) or a separate room with a desk — find a space in your home that can be used daily for homework. I keep supplies in a small caddy that lives on the table during the week so my son has everything he needs within reach. Try to keep this space free of distractions yet close by, so you can keep an eye on progress and offer support as needed.
Chunk it
Concentration takes a lot of effort for kids with ADHD. One of the best things we’ve implemented is chunking homework in 2-3 phases. My son likes to get 10 of his 20 minutes of reading done on the way home from school, then break up what’s remaining at the designated homework time. Try using an egg timer or alarm app to keep kids on task for a stretch of time and then time out short breaks. A good rule of thumb is a five-minute break for every 10-20 minutes of work, depending on their age.
Body doubling
Body doubling is a great concept for our ADHD kids — it’s basically where they work on a non-preferred task alongside another person, who serves as the “body double.” That person’s job is to anchor the person with ADHD to be present and stay on task (body doubling is great for all sorts of tasks, even outside of homework!). I love doing this because I can keep an eye on homework while also getting a few of my own things done. If your kid is older, a trusted peer or sibling can serve as a great body double.
Communicate with the teacher
Take time to meet with your child’s teacher to get a clear picture of homework expectations for the year. Ask for regular progress reports on your child and updates on homework assignments if they don’t proactively do this. Reach out early and often if problems with homework arise.
Offer support and praise your child’s efforts
Above all, the best thing you can do for your child is to offer support where they need it and recognize and praise their hard work. Between remembering instructions, learning new routines, bringing home the right books and assignments, keeping track of due dates, and sitting still… school and homework are a lot for any kid to manage. Always prioritize showing support and help them conquer academic challenges with simple habits and routines they can take through life.
With the proper tools, children and teens with ADHD can thrive academically and socially.
Tell us in the comments what homework tips work for your family.
