ADHD and School: Tips for Helping Your Child Succeed

There’s nothing you want more in life than to see your child succeed. It’s every parent’s core wish. For some parents, ensuring their child’s success in school can be a bit more challenging than for others. Kids with ADHD can be “hyperactive” and/or have a hard time regulating their emotions and behaviors. They require a different learning environment to get ahead; however, many schools aren’t built to accommodate their special needs.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to set your child up for a very bright future. Some of them don’t even require a lot of work. Here are a few tips that will help you navigate your child’s education.

Start Out on the Right Foot

Getting help as early as possible could lessen the symptoms of your child’s ADHD. But how do you know what will work and what won’t? You’ll need an expert opinion about that. Finding an experienced ADHD therapist that can offer testing and assessment as well as offer therapy and medications based on their findings is very important.

If you live near Washington D.C., Virginia, or New York City you will definitely want to take your child to The Ross Center. The Ross Center’s psychologist and physiatrists are able to work with you and your child to find a plan that will work for their specific needs. ADHD isn’t the same for everyone, so there isn’t a “one size fits all” way to treat it. Find a therapist who really cares and will evolve with your child.

Learning at Its Root

Finding the right school for your child is pivotal in their educational success. Some schools are going to have better programming for children with ADHD, while others are less equipped. If you live in Tarrant County, Texas, Schoolahoop is a free app that can help you find a school system near you that’s right for your preferences and needs. By simply taking a quiz, Schoolahoop can match you with the right K-5th grade school. They can even get you in touch with your top matches so that you can schedule a tour and ask further questions. If Schoolahoop sounds incredible, but you’re not in Texas, make sure you contact them, and let them know of your interest.

Keep Adjusting

Even if you get to a point where your child’s ADHD symptoms are stable, you’ll still want to see a doctor every three to six months. The medication your child takes is a delicate business. Work with your doctor by tracking side effects and general observations about your child’s mood and activities, so that they can adjust the level of medication accordingly. Don’t be surprised if the medication level changes a few times before you find an effective dosage. Make sure you’re following the doctor’s medication instructions for safety reasons and for the best treatment results.

Patience Is a Virtue

A final strategy for helping your student succeed is being as patient as possible. According to a New York Times interview with Dr. Bertin, the parents of children with ADHD are often anxious, stressed, and lack confidence. You greatly influence your child’s learning environment at home. If you’re frustrated by your child’s inability to focus, imagine how they’re feeling. Having empathy and continuing to work together as a unit by following all of the strategies your doctors and therapists suggest will reap the best rewards. Make sure you thoroughly understand your child’s diagnosis, so you can be their biggest advocate inside and outside of the classroom. Always have patience with yourself as well, because you’re also always in the process of learning what works best.