The Cleveland School District goes back to school this Thursday. Are you ready? If you’re the parent of a child with ADHD, your back-to-school checklist is likely longer than just making sure you’ve got all of your school supplies. Here’s an excerpt from a piece about back-to-school prep for kids with ADHD from Alabama’s WHNT, followed by a link to the full story. Remember that the Center for Effective Living is here to help people in the greater Cleveland area with ADHD and more, and that we specialize in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD, including treatment without medicine.
The new school year can be an exciting time for some students and a challenging one for others. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may find it especially difficult to return to a classroom routine.
Tony Watkins is a licensed family therapist in Huntsville who works with many children and teenagers. Through the course of his work, he’s developed an expertise in the area of ADHD and he says there are steps parents can take to ease the back to school transition…
Organization at home can also be key to a successful school day. Watkins says children with ADHD need more prompts to stay on task. He suggests a picture chart to help younger children with their morning routine of brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast and remembering their backpacks. Short notes can work for older children.
Researchers estimate approximately one in 10 children in the U.S. suffer from ADHD. While the cause is unknown, the disorder affects neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to a lack of attention, poor impulse control and/or hyperactivity. A teacher may recognize some of these signs and bring them to a parent’s attention but parents should never rely on an educator for a diagnosis.