According to the CDC, approximately 11% of kids age 4-17 have ADHD. The start of a new school year is a great time to fine tune your ADHD treatment. ADHD treatment can consist of both medication and behavior therapy. Medication alone is not the answer! Kids with ADHD do much better with a schedule and a routine so that they can know what to expect day to day.
Medication is also important, as ADHD is a chemical reaction in the brain. There are two ways to treat ADHD, stimulant and non-stimulant medications. These medications work differently, but can have the same result. Stimulants are more immediate, they usually kick in within an hour and lasts 4-8 hours, and they are completely out of your system by the next day. Non-stimulant medications take time to build up in your system, but once they are built up they keep working. If you go off non-stimulant medication, you may need time for it to build back up in your system once you are ready to begin taking the medication again.
Behavior therapy can also be very effective to treat ADHD. There are several things you can do to help your kids to help them succeed in school. At the start of the year, get your child a new school calendar with plenty of space for them to write their assignments. Make sure that the teacher knows that your child has ADHD and ask that they be allowed to sit at the front of the class. Set up a homework routine, have your child sit in the same spot, in a quiet room to do their homework, if possible, right after school, before their medication has worn off.
Many kids with ADHD have trouble with time management and prioritizing. Color Coding homework assignments by priority can help when there are multiple assignments due. There are apps you can get to help remember dates for projects that are due. Some kids with ADHD have trouble with time management, a good technique to help with that is to have them time their tasks so that they know how long each thing takes and therefore they can manage their time.
ADHD can be challenging, but with these tips your child can have a successful school year!