| Does the homework battle so typical with your | | | | As with any parenting issue, rewarding good behavior |
| hyperactive or A.D.D. child have you at the end of your | | | | and disciplining poor behavior motivates kids toward |
| rope? Relax. We have some tried-and-try ADHD | | | | good behavior. The A.D.D. child needs all the rewards |
| information that should get your A.D.D. child on the right | | | | they can get, along with firm and consistent |
| homework path. | | | | consequences. |
| The hyperactive or A.D.D. child especially needs | | | | A "homework contract" is an effective motivator for |
| consistency, a work place free of distractions, solid | | | | the A.D.D. and an especially valuable tool to encourage |
| encouragement and praise - along with established | | | | the A.D.D. child to accept responsibility for their work. |
| consequences if the positive homework tips fail. | | | | The homework contract clearly states that when the |
| Establish a Set Homework Routine: | | | | homework is completed, the child will earn a reward. |
| Because the A.D.D. child functions best in a consistent | | | | The contract also clearly outlines consequences for |
| environment, homework should be done in the same | | | | not completing homework. |
| place, at the same time and for a set amount of time | | | | You can offer daily modest rewards like earning time |
| every day. | | | | to play Gameboy, the right to choose a favorite dinner |
| Work with your child to develop that routine. Some | | | | or a modest treat or special privilege. Or, you can |
| Attention Deficit and hyperactive children work best | | | | develop a point system for larger weekly rewards. |
| immediately after school while others need an hour or | | | | You can give out one point for every night of |
| two to settle down before jumping back into studies. | | | | completed homework for the child to cash in for a trip |
| To help the A.D.D. child better focus, the work area | | | | to the zoo after earning five points, for instance. |
| should be free of distractions, such as televisions, video | | | | Effective consequences for not completing homework |
| games, music and other people. The kitchen table | | | | are losing phone, computer, stereo and television |
| might not be the best place if there is too much activity | | | | privileges for the evening. To add a little more |
| in that room. The bedroom can offer distractions if the | | | | discomfort to the situation, have the child stay inside |
| television or stereo have a way of "turning themselves | | | | for the evening without friends. |
| on" when you are not there to monitor. | | | | It is important that you remain calm, firm and consistent |
| Mandatory Homework Time: | | | | on nights when Attention Deficit Disorder child decides |
| We are strong proponents of establishing an allotted | | | | to get into a power struggle over homework. It may |
| amount of homework time on school days. This set | | | | take a couple consequence days before the child |
| amount of time gives consistency to the hyperactive | | | | realizes that completing homework makes for a better |
| or A.D.D. child and discourages rushing through | | | | night than not doing homework. |
| homework. | | | | It is also important that you reward for effort and not |
| Talk with your child's teachers about the average | | | | just grades for the A.D.D. child. The goal is to develop |
| recommended homework time for the child's grade | | | | a solid homework habit. With a homework habit |
| level. In general, elementary school children should | | | | established, better grades will automatically follow. |
| spend about 30 minutes each night on homework. | | | | Don't forget to offer the intangible rewards of smiles |
| Middle school and high school students should spend | | | | and praise when your child puts the effort into |
| about one hour on homework. | | | | completing his homework. A "way to go" goes a long |
| If the child does not have homework that evening or | | | | way in positive reinforcement for Attention Deficit |
| they finish before the allotted time, the child can read | | | | Disorder children. |
| until their mandatory homework time is over. | | | | Additional Homework ADHD Information: |
| "Chunking" and Scheduled Breaks: | | | | - Using an assignment book for the A.D.D. child helps |
| The hyperactive and A.D.D. child often experiences | | | | parents keep track of the child's daily and weekly |
| difficulty with long-range tasks. "Chunking" homework | | | | homework. If the teacher does not use an assignment |
| for the hyperactive or A.D.D. child helps break the | | | | book, develop a system with the teacher so you |
| homework task into smaller, more manageable pieces. | | | | know the child's homework assignments. |
| You can break a 20-problem math assignment into | | | | - If the A.D.D. child insist on heavy parental homework |
| four chunks of five problems each, with a small break | | | | help, require that the child attempt problems at least |
| in between chunks. If using the mandatory homework | | | | twice before asking for homework help. They may |
| time schedule, set a kitchen timer to ring every five to | | | | need homework help, but make sure he puts a |
| 15 minutes, depending on the child's attention span. At | | | | genuine effort into solving the problem first. |
| every break, give your hyperactive or A.D.D. child a | | | | - Attention Deficit and hyperactive children may not be |
| few minutes to move around or grab a snack to | | | | able to receive "A"s on every homework and school |
| refocus their attention. | | | | assignment. Instead of getting hung up on the traditional |
| Rewards/Consequences: | | | | grading scale, give you're A.D.D. child an "A" for effort. |