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