how to help child with adhd do homework

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6 Ways a Child With ADHD Can Study Better

 No kid likes homework. But for a child with ADHD, homework time can be extra hard. Assignments that might take other kids an hour can take yours 2 or 3 -- or more.

Homework doesn't have to ruin your kid's day. And it doesn't have to turn you into a stressed out, nagging parent. A structured routine can help your son or daughter stay focused and on track.

1. Set up a homework station.

Choose one spot where your child can do their homework every day. Make sure it's away from distractions like noisy siblings, a phone, and the TV. (The kitchen table works well for some kids, since you can easily check in on them.)

The seat should face a wall, not a window. White noise, from an MP3 player or a fan, can help drown out sounds to keep their mind on the work.

Try to give siblings their own space, though this may be hard if you have to monitor more than one. Remember that different kids may have different needs.

2. Break up study time.

Does your child start strong, then sputter out? Split up assignments so they don’t have to do it all at once.

Instead of a solid hour, have them tackle three 20-minute sessions with playtime or a snack in between.

Or switch subjects: math for 20 minutes, then English for another 20, then back to math. They'll struggle less, and their work may improve.

3. Stay on schedule.

Kids with ADHD have trouble managing time. They also get off track easily. A schedule can help with both problems.

Ask your child to break down their homework into mini-assignments that take only a few minutes each. Then use an egg timer or alarm app to keep them on task for each section. Not only will it help them, but you won't have to nag as much.

Like the daily assignments, break down big, long-term projects (like a diorama or a book report) into simple steps. Set up a schedule with a due date for each step. These small deadlines will help them get the project done on time.

4. Plan studying around medication.

A child who takes ADHD medication may study better earlier in the afternoon, when the drugs are still in effect. They may have a hard time later in the evening, after they wear off.

5. Motivate with rewards.

They're not bribes. It's OK to reward your child when they do a good job. A little encouragement can go a long way.

Some parents set up a currency -- poker chips, for example -- in return for getting homework done. Your kid can turn the chips in later for rewards they like, such as time to watch TV or play a video game.

6. Make sure homework is handed in.

Your child might spend hours on their homework, then lose it or forget to hand it in. An organized binder or folder system, with pockets for new assignments and finished homework, can help get the papers across the finish line.

Keep on top of assignments.

This last one is a bonus for you. It's not uncommon for a kid with ADHD to miss a due date or misunderstand instructions. Create a backup plan. Talk to your child's teacher -- weekly or even daily -- about upcoming assignments.

Some teachers post homework on the Internet. Others may email copies of assignments directly to you. Ask the teacher to let you know about any late or missing homework.

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7 Ways To Motivate A Kid With ADHD To Do Homework And Chores

Start by meeting your kid where they are — and really listen to what they’re telling you.

All parents fight with their kids to do their chores or homework, but with kids who have ADHD, it’s a whole other battle. Children with ADHD are neurologically wired to have difficulty starting and finishing tasks . They often struggle with executive functioning , a family of mental skills that includes the ability to plan, conceptualize, and execute goals. All of this means that completing everyday tasks such as homework and chores — or even getting up for school — can become major points of difficulty for some kids, and major points of conflict between them and their parents.

That doesn’t mean that the only option is to push your way through. For children (and adults) with ADHD, staying on task can sometimes be as easy as reframing the process using management and motivation styles that better fit their needs and are more suited to the way they think. While the same strategies won’t work for everyone, these seven tips are a great place to start figuring out the right setup to keep your kid with ADHD on task.

1. A Little Understanding Goes a Long Way

Start by meeting your kid where they are — and really listen to what they’re saying. When a child appears disinterested or unable to start a task or an assignment, try to identify anything that might be getting in their way. ADHD and anxiety often go hand in hand , and tasks can feel overwhelming if they’re long and complex, or they may bring up some underlying discomfort (like assignments from that one terrifying teacher). Once you know what obstacles your child is facing, you’ll be better poised to find ways to overcome them. And yes, being bored definitely counts as one of these obstacles.

2. Break Down Larger Goals

Maintaining focus and motivation over a long period of time is difficult for kids with ADHD — it’s like trying to remember your place in a book with pages that won’t stop flipping around. Plenty of projects can be broken down into discrete parts, and writing them down on a piece of paper or a whiteboard can help free up brain space and encourage your child to focus on one step at a time, says Carey Heller, Psy.D. , a Maryland-based psychologist who specializes in childhood and adolescent ADHD. Try finding a way to help your child unwind in between each step.

3. Encourage Routine

“Creating structure is really important,” Heller says. Small routines, like a pre-homework snack after school followed by a set reminder to do homework , can help create a familiar flow of activities that eliminates the need to spend mental energy on planning when to tackle heftier tasks.

Knowing when a change in activity is coming is also a huge boon for the ADHD brain, which can easily become fixated and difficult to redirect . “For example, if a child is reading for fun, or playing a game of some kind, suddenly being surprised by parents saying ‘It's time to do homework ’ may make them yell or react a little more strongly because of the difficulty shifting attention, rather than it being that they truly don't want to do it,” Heller says. If it’s a routine that game time stops at 5 p.m. everyday, switching away from that activity will likely be less of a fight.

4. Set Reminders

When it comes to ADHD , organization is key. Luckily, there’s no shortage of tools to help parents and children achieve it. For older kids with smartphones, using the reminder and calendar apps to break up tasks into to-dos and deadlines is just a matter of building the habit. For parents of younger children, or those who may not want their kids relying on screens to manage their planning, smart home devices can act as hands-free virtual assistants for even the tiniest of tots. Heller says he uses his own Amazon Echo to set reminders so often that his son was listing off his own tasks to the device at the age of 4. For a tech-free option, paper planners can be a huge help to older kids — some are even made specifically for those with ADHD . The best reminder system for your kid, Heller says, is whichever one they’ll use.

5. Add Rewards

It’s what we all want for a job well done — something to look forward to. There’s good evidence that the dopamine reward pathway — the portion of the brain that makes you feel good when you accomplish something — is disrupted in people with ADHD, leading to a deficit in the ability to motivate from within . Thankfully, there’s also evidence that for children under 12 , having an extrinsic reward, or something tangible to look forward to, can improve performance on a task.

For bigger projects, Heller suggests sprinkling rewards along the way. Which rewards work best is going to vary a ton from child to child, but options such as a favorite meal or quality time with a parent tend to be a hit in his office.

6. Embrace Fidgeting

Sure, your kid has to sit still at school. But at home, there’s no need to be so rigid. Heller swears by the strategy of “ harnessing fidgeting to improve focus .” Turn your kid’s desk into the most fun home office in the house with items like an under-desk elliptical, a balance board, or even a simple standing desk setup — find what clicks for them. Even something as simple as pacing the room while reading can help some kids with ADHD stay engaged.

7. Remember: You’re There to Guide

Helping your child manage their ADHD is all about “parenting for independence ,” Heller says. He encourages parents to develop strategies that their children and teens can take into adulthood and use themselves, rather than ones that require constant parental involvement. For younger kids, modeling certain routines and behaviors can be a huge push in the right direction.

This article was originally published on Aug. 16, 2022

The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School Success

Available formats, also available from.

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• Reviews and awards
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The Homework Squad is here for kids with ADHD! This easy-to-use guide will help with key study skills to improve reading, writing, math, listening, memorization, concentration, and more! Bite-sized tips and tricks, journal prompts, and advice for challenges help kids with ADHD recognize how they learn best and act on that knowledge.

This is an accessible, straightforward, and relatable guide to key study skills for kids with ADHD that features a cast of characters with ADHD to enliven the lessons. The author covers an array of areas where kids with ADHD might struggle academically to help kids recognize how they learn best and act on that knowledge.

Joshua Shifrin, PhD, specializes in pediatric and school neuropsychological evaluations. Joshua is a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and New York, a diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider.

He lives in West Caldwell, New Jersey. Visit him online and visit the The Homework Squad’s ADHD Guide to School Success website .

Tracy Bishop has a degree from San Jose University in graphic design, with a focus on illustration and animation, and is the illustrator of more than 20 children’s books.

She lives in San Jose, California. Visit her online and on Instagram and Twitter .

Meet the Homework Squad, four very different and racially diverse students with one thing in common: their ADHD diagnosis… The tips and tricks, appropriately, are not one size fits all, so readers are encouraged to try them all and keep track of what works… All adults working with children should have a copy of this book, not only for their students, but to understand how they can put strategies and accommodations in place to provide an equitable environment for all. An important, affirming, and beneficial resource. — STARRED REVIEW , Kirkus Reviews

A useful guide with appealing graphic-like illustrations for youth with ADHD or for anyone seeking good study techniques. — Booklist

Dr. Shifrin’s book on ADHD strategies for school-age kids is highly readable and relatable. The book lays out common real-life examples of the struggles of children with ADHD and gives clear, easy-to-follow strategies for intervention. I plan to use this book in my private practice all the time! — Nolan Katz, PhD, LSP, NCSP, Licensed School Psychologist

I love the overall style, presentation, and usefulness of the book. It is very relatable for students and eliminates the disability “stigma” often attached to an ADHD diagnosis. Practical and very useful. As a school psychologist (with ADHD , no less), I look forward to using this to support my students struggling with executive function! — George Singo, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Cape Henlopen School District

This is the resource I’ve needed for my elementary through middle-school clients struggling with attention and executive functioning skills. The Squad normalizes the experience of having different brains and skills and provides a variety of intervention and accommodation options. There is definitely something for everyone in this book! — Samantha Buell, PhD, Licensed Psychologist

• Read Like a Champ
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Help for Kids with ADHD for Back-to-school and Throughout the Year (PDF, 118KB) An excerpt of the book that provides strategies and skills to help kids improve reading, writing, math, listening, memorization, concentration, and more.

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How to Help a Child with ADHD Do Homework

Last Updated: March 29, 2022

This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD . Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care. This article has been viewed 12,885 times.

Getting a child with ADHD to focus on their school work can be a challenge, especially if there are assignments, readings, and due dates involved. You can help a child with ADHD complete their homework with flying colors by introducing methods for learning at school and at home. You should also focus on staying positive and supportive of the child with ADHD so you both feel a sense of accomplishment when the homework gets done.

Preparing for Homework at School

• You may ask the teacher to hand out a typed assignment sheet to take home, especially if the child has attention deficits that make it difficult for them to copy down the homework in their notebook.

• If the child tends to forget to hand back in their assignments, their teacher can include a sheet for a parent to sign once the homework has been completed and packed in the child’s bag. This will serve as a reminder to the child’s parent to check that the homework has been done and is packed in the child’s school bag.

• The “study buddy” system can help the child make sure they bring home the books they need for the assignment. It can also ensure the child with ADHD stays organized.
• Another option is to get the child to join a homework club, where they spend time with other students and a tutor after school to get their work done. This can be useful if the child’s medication is still working after school and you want to keep them motivated to do their schoolwork.

• You can then work with the child's teacher to modify the IEP so the child has less homework or a lightened workload. For example, as part of the child's IEP, maybe the teacher assigns only the odd-numbered math problems for the child or five homework questions instead of ten. This can help the child still learn and get their work done, without being overly stressed or frustrated.
• You may also talk to the child’s teacher about spreading out the child’s assignments so they are not due all at once as part of the child's IEP. You may sit down with them and create a schedule of assignments that will fit the child’s abilities and time management skills. This can make the child feel less overwhelmed, but still get their work done.

Helping the Child at Home

• Having your own copy of the child’s assignments will also allow you to read them over beforehand. You can then help the child with the assignment and break it into manageable chunks for the child.

• You may set the homework time for right after school, especially if your child does well with staying in “school mode” at the end of the day. Or you may give the child a break after school and then prepare them for homework time ten to fifteen minutes ahead of time.
• Some children do well with warnings a few minutes before homework time, such as reminders to “get their brain turned to homework” or “have their mind set to homework mode.”

• Keep the child’s homework spot stocked with school supplies, an extra set of school books, and folders for their assignments. You may also make sure they have a reading lamp and lots of writing utensils in their spot.
• Make sure the homework spot is free from distractions such as TV, phones, or frequent visitors. A room through which other family members are constantly passing, for instance, may not be the best spot.

• For example, you may block out the child’s homework in 20 minute chunks, followed by short breaks. You may schedule 20 minutes on math homework, followed by a five minute break. Then, the next 20 minutes may be on social studies homework, followed by another five minute break.
• You may also set a timer for 20 minutes and place it in front of the child so they stay motivated. Once the timer goes off, you may then allow them to take a five minute break to do something else.

Staying Positive and Supportive

• Try to encourage the child to come up with an answer on their own before you help them. You do not want to do their work for them or allow them to lean on you too much.
• If you notice the child has reached their threshold, but they have not finished their work, do not try to force them to keep going. Speak to their teacher about assigning less work so the child can still get some work done.

• You can also use verbal praise as a reward. A simple “Great job!” or “Excellent!” can encourage the child to stay positive and focused as they do their assignments.
• You should offer the child a reward if they get good grades on their homework. You may take them on a fun outing or get them an item they really want as a reward for doing well.

• You should also make sure they have put their completed homework in their bag so it is ready to turn into their teacher. This will ensure the homework ends up in the right hands and that the child gets graded by their teacher.

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Homework Study Tips, Apps and Technology to Help Children with ADHD

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) find many aspects of education challenging, especially studying at home. ADHD children typically struggle with patience, organisation and focus. Kids with ADHD tend to rush through their homework, making mistakes. They often find it difficult to organise their thoughts and tasks,  which then prevents them from planning ahead. 

In this article, we will be looking at some apps and websites to support ADHD children studying at home, as well as offering some suggestions that may help children to focus better on their homework. 

Assistive Technology

A child with ADHD might also struggle with study skills such as reading, concentration and writing. Here are a few apps and electronic resources to assist an ADHD child studying at home:

Audiobooks has a wide range of bestselling audiobooks and podcast episodes. This is great for students who love learning, but not reading. 

There are a great many types of assistive technology that support children with ADHD and here we have listed just a handful of ideas. The good news is that there is more and more innovative software being developed all the time. It’s just a case of trying out different things until you find something that works well for your child.

Home Study Tips

Here are a few ideas to support ADHD kids with their homework:

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How to Get a Child with ADD to do Homework

Homework can be tricky for children with ADHD, especially after they’ve spent all day at school.

When children come home from school, they want to play, spend time with their friends and family, or watch TV. Homework is simply not something most children are excited about, but most kids are willing to do it because they have accepted that it is a requirement and there will be negative consequences if it is not completed.  

Unfortunately, it is often difficult for children with ADHD to sustain their focus long enough to do their homework, making them resigned to the negative consequences of not completing their work.

This is because the ADHD child’s brain is “stuck” in a certain pattern of dysregulation that doesn’t allow them to sustain concentration on non-stimulating tasks or perform certain executive functioning tasks, such as planning, organizing, and prioritizing their assignments. In a way, ADHD children are physically incapable of self-regulating and performing certain tasks because their brain won’t allow them to engage with the task.

However, with the right homework plan, it is possible to help motivate ADHD children to complete their assignments on time, study for tests, and become responsible, successful students. While completing schoolwork will likely always be more difficult due to their struggles with focus, there are strategies that can help mitigate this weakness and maximize their available resources to increase their productivity.

In this article, we will cover some effective ADD homework strategies for children that can improve their study habits. This article will also discuss the Drake Institute’s non-drug treatment protocols used to help children reduce or resolve ADHD symptoms by achieving a healthier state of brain functioning, resulting in long-term symptom relief.

Diet for ADD

Learning how to study with ADD can be difficult, especially if your mind and body are not receiving the necessary resources for the brain to function optimally. That’s why providing children with a healthy and nutritious diet should be a top priority for every household, as diet is the foundation of productive thinking and behavior.

Without a healthy diet, children suffering from ADHD will find it even more difficult to concentrate on their schoolwork, and this is especially true if their diet consists of sugary soft drinks, candy, and processed fast foods. Indeed, if your child is not eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, they are more prone to misbehaving and performing poorly on their assigned tasks.

For parents with ADHD children, avoiding processed foods loaded with artificial colorings and high sugar content should be a top priority, as both of these ingredients can have detrimental effects on behavior and health.

As a general guideline, ADHD diets should consist of essential trace minerals such as Zinc, Iron, and Magnesium. Foods that are heavy in these minerals include:

• Beef & Lamb
• Nuts such as cashews, pecans, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and hazelnuts
• Sesame seeds
• Beans & Lentils
• Low-Fat Dairy
• Dried fruits such as figs, prunes, apricots, dates, and raisins

Parents should also take great care to ensure that their children are eating enough healthy fats, as every cell in the human body (including our brain) is made up of fats, and some reports have shown that in some children, Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is 40% as effective for ADHD as Ritalin, minus the side-effects. Healthy sources of Omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Coldwater fish (e.g., mackerel, tuna, salmon, and sardines)
• Cod liver oil
• Flaxseed and chia seeds
• Soybeans & Tofu

Even if your child doesn’t have ADD, providing them with a healthy diet is one of the best ways to ensure that they will grow up to be healthy and productive.

And when it comes to mitigating the effects of ADD and ADHD, we feel that the optimal method is to combine ADHD diets with clinical ADHD treatments, like brain map-guided neurofeedback, as nutritious diets can reinforce and maximize the improvements in brain functioning brought on by our non-drug treatment protocols. 

Create a Homework Schedule

When it comes to ADD and homework, creating a homework schedule is one of the best ways to improve a child’s productivity.

By creating a homework schedule, children will know exactly what they will be doing once they get home (so long as the schedule is enforced), so there’s no guesswork involved from either the parent or the child as to when the work will be completed. However, this doesn’t mean that there won’t be arguments about the schedule and whether it’s fair: children with ADD intrinsically struggle with non-preferred asks, and a homework schedule won’t make these issues magically disappear.

That being said, a homework schedule can help students be more disciplined and productive because, without it, most children would rather turn on the TV, play a video game, or browse social media instead of completing their homework. In children with ADD, these issues are exacerbated, as their ability to plan and organize their day (executive functioning) is already hindered due to their attention deficit disorder.  

When creating a homework schedule, remember to include breaks, as most children will need a few minutes to relax so that they can better focus on their work. Many researchers have pointed out that the average attention span of children and adults is only around 20 minutes. Beyond this point, it becomes increasingly difficult to pay attention to the task at hand. So, by giving children a brief, 5-10 minute break, they will be better able to focus on their assignments without becoming too tired or fatigued.

Knowing when to schedule these homework breaks will require a bit of trial and error, as every child is different. However, including a break as part of the schedule somewhere around the 20 or 30-minute mark is generally a good place to start. During these scheduled breaks, it would be a good idea to have healthy snacks readily available to ensure that your child has enough energy to power through their assignments. Parents should encourage children to stand up and walk around during these breaks, but to avoid activities that are too stimulating or too far away from the task at hand.

Finally, there are two other important aspects to creating a homework schedule that parents should keep in mind: place and time.

In general, it’s a good idea to have a designated “homework space” for your child to work in that is free of distractions. As part of the schedule, the child should work in this space each day since this will help the child get into a “work mode” that allows them to concentrate on their tasks.

Time is the last aspect of creating a homework schedule, and this too will require a little bit of trial and error. In some cases, your child may need a break from schoolwork and might not be ready to jump into their homework as soon as they come home. Instead, they may need to go outside and play or go on a long walk before they can re-engage with their schoolwork. On the other hand, many children are more than willing to dive straight into their homework as soon as they get home so that they can watch TV later in the day or play video games with their friends.

In the end, it’s up to the parents to determine when “homework time” will begin, and once the time is set, everyone must abide.  

Monitor Distractions

From smartphones to televisions, there are a whole host of things fighting for your child’s attention.

As mentioned, part of the solution to this problem is to create a “homework space” that is free of distractions; however, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee that your child will be more productive.

Sometimes, your child might feel “alone” or “claustrophobic” in a workspace that is too sterile or boring, which can actually decrease their ability to concentrate. 

As many of us can attest, sometimes we need a “slight” distraction while working or performing schoolwork, like listening to the radio or having the TV on in the background, as these things can provide stimulation that helps some children to concentrate.

However, even background noise can be distracting for some students, especially if they have ADD. This is why parents need to monitor the effects of these distractions to see whether they improve or decrease productivity. Furthermore, while background noise may be beneficial for some people, individuals with ADHD will likely have a lower threshold for what is “too distracting.” For example, having the TV on is likely to be entirely too distracting for individuals with ADHD, and they will likely have better success if background noise consists of things such as music, ambient sounds, or even white noise.

If your child seems to work better while listening to music, then this “distraction” should be fully integrated into the homework schedule.

Be Present During Homework

Being there for your child when they’re working on their homework can be critically important to their success, especially when a difficult problem comes up.

By being present, children are less likely to become frustrated or to give up when they encounter a problem that they can’t solve because they know that they can turn to you for support.

Try setting a good example and sitting with your child reading a book, a magazine, or doing some other quiet, sedentary activity that is similar to studying and doing homework, proving to your child that it’s possible to sit still and focus for an extended period of time. Don’t forget to leave your smartphone behind!

If you can’t be there during “typical” (early afternoon) homework hours, you might want to consider trying to align your child’s homework schedule with your work schedule so that you can be there to help when they do need it. Being able to provide support to your child during a task that is challenging to them can be crucial to their success. Even if you are not actively providing guidance, simply knowing that someone is there to support them can be invaluable in maintaining their focus, motivation, and self-confidence.

Find a Study Buddy

When a child with ADD gets stuck on a homework problem, they’re likely to get frustrated, which in turn can cause them to misbehave.

In many cases, a parent can help their child work through a difficult homework problem, but sometimes having a “study buddy” will be even more effective, especially if the children are friendly and have academic strengths that complement each other.

However, it’s also important that parents ensure that their child is studying when with their study buddy, as sometimes this arrangement can cause children to goof around and not take their homework seriously. There also has to be some monitoring to make sure they are not simply being provided with answers by their partner. While this partnership may not be appropriate for everyone, for those who can work through these “temptations,” the benefits of such an arrangement can be significant.

This isn’t to say that parents should hover over their child when they’re with their study buddy, but monitoring the rate at which homework is being completed and its correctness will be important when determining the effectiveness of the study buddy.

That being said, if the homework is taking a little bit longer to be completed, but it’s being done correctly, and your child is happy about doing it, then that’s a tradeoff that might be worth making.

Provide Positive Feedback

Something that often gets overlooked is positive feedback for turning in assignments on time, receiving high marks, and abiding by the homework schedule.

Positive feedback is also often the best answer to the question of “how to get kids to do their homework,” as both children and adults like attention and rewards, and will alter their behavior to earn more of them.

However, obtaining attention can be accomplished in a variety of ways—not all of which are healthy and productive.

This is especially true when it comes to completing schoolwork: if your child makes an effort to adhere to their homework schedule and to achieve good grades, but isn’t rewarded, they will have less incentive to continue behaving in this manner. While it is tempting for parents to view this behavior as simply “doing what they are supposed to be doing,” there needs to be an acknowledgement that for individuals with ADHD, as this is an accomplishment that likely took significant effort. That additional effort is an accomplishment for these children and should be acknowledged and rewarded.

Therefore, it would be wise to reward your child for good behavior, especially behavior that results in positive grades at school.

Many parents have found success using a star chart that keeps track of their child’s weekly progress, where these stars can be “cashed in” for a reward of some kind, like extra time for playing video games or perhaps a snack of their choosing. How these stars are rewarded is up to the child’s parents, but it’s probably best to be a little lenient to incentivize homework and positive behavior.

For example, completing a homework assignment might be worth 1 star, but completing the homework correctly might be worth 2 or 3 stars. Extra stars can also be rewarded for other, non-homework related tasks, like taking adequate notes in class, remembering to bring the correct books home from school, and keeping their study materials (notebooks, binders, etc.) tidy. 

Talk to the Teacher

Finally, if your child is still struggling to complete their homework despite adhering to a homework schedule and everything else mentioned above, it might be time to talk to their teacher.

Some teachers will be more than willing to adjust the amount of homework your child is receiving on a day-to-day basis, so long as the problem is presented clearly, calmly, and without placing any blame on the teacher.

In addition to not placing blame, it’s probably best to discuss your child’s struggles in a face-to-face conversation, as too many things can get lost in translation over the phone, through emails or text messages.

When discussing your child’s struggles with homework, it’s important to mention how your child is trying as hard as they can to complete their assignments, but despite these efforts, the homework is taking an inordinate amount of time. Make sure to discuss all of the structure and accommodations being provided at home and be open to the teacher’s suggestions of things that may provide additional benefit for the child.

When this occurs, some teachers will allow parents to sign off on homework once the child has worked on it for a certain amount of time. Other teachers might substitute the current homework for something else that might be more suitable for your child’s needs. Accommodations can also be formally provided by requesting an IEP or 504 plan that addresses these concerns.

In short, conversations with your child’s teacher should be solution-oriented, face-to-face, friendly, and focused on improving your child’s academic performance, while still requiring them to perform at the best of their abilities.

ADD Treatment Options

When it comes to treating ADD, there are a few options available to parents, including stimulant ADD medications , and non-drug treatment options like the ones found at the Drake Institute.

Treatment of ADD or ADHD with medication is a widely used treatment option, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best in terms of safety and long-term improvement. Many stimulant ADD medications carry a significant number of negative side effects, including:

• Nervousness
• Change in personality
• Loss of appetite
• Suppressing growth rate
• Weight loss
• Upset stomach
• Psychotic reactions
• increase in blood pressure and palpitations
• Risk of substance abuse

In addition, many people develop a tolerance for these medications over time, which results in the individual needing a higher dosage to obtain the same level of symptom reduction. Unfortunately, when the dosage of these medications increases, so does the likelihood that they will experience one or more of the negative side effects associated with the medication. It should also be noted, that treating attentional deficits with medications is not necessarily correcting the cause of the problem, meaning that if an individual were to discontinue these medications, their symptoms are likely to return.

Popular ADD medications include Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine, and while these drugs can work for some people, parents must understand all of the associated risks.

Non-Drug ADD Treatment at the Drake Institute

Learning how to study when you have ADD doesn’t require taking medications.

At the Drake Institute, we fully believe that children can experience symptom reduction without the use of ADHD medications, which is important since many of these medications carry a significant number of negative side effects.

Through the use of advanced treatment technologies such as qEEG Brain Mapping, Neurofeedback, and Neuromodulation, children can actually improve their brain functioning and sustained focus, resulting in better performance at school and work.

Brain Mapping

At the core of everything we do at the Drake Institute is Brain Mapping , as it provides us a window into how the patient’s brain is functioning and where the dysregulation is occurring.

In the case of ADD, brain mapping can help identify which parts of the brain are under or over-activated and contributing to the child’s struggles with school. During treatment, we’ll target these regions to improve brain functioning, which can help minimize the effects of the child’s attention disorder.

Once brain mapping is complete, the findings are compared to the FDA-registered normative database to identify which regions are deviating from “normal” activity patterns.

When dysregulation is discovered, a treatment protocol using Neurofeedback and Neuromodulation is designed specifically for the patient’s unique situation. This customized process allows us to provide better results compared to treatment protocols that use a “one size fits all” approach. It should also be noted that by addressing their underlying cause of the child’s difficulties, the subsequent improvements obtained through neurotherapy are typically long-lasting and do not require continued maintenance, like medications do.

Biofeedback & Neurofeedback

Biofeedback and Neurofeedback treatment is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment protocol that helps the patient retrain the brain to more optimal functioning, thus increasing their ability to complete homework or other assigned tasks.

During Neurofeedback treatment, the brain is not artificially stimulated and drugs are not administered; in fact, nothing invasive is performed at all.

Instead, Neurofeedback involves placing sensors on the patient’s head that records and displays the patient’s current brain functioning patterns, providing real-time feedback into how their brain is operating. When patients can witness firsthand how their brain is functioning, they are better able to self-regulate and improve brain functioning for concentration, which in turns, helps reduce the manifestation of negative symptoms.

One example of Neurofeedback treatment is one where the patient’s brainwave patterns are converted into a computer game where a car is driving down the highway. When the patient’s brain shifts into a healthier functioning frequency, the car moves and stays in the proper lane and an auditory tone is triggered. This tone is then repeated every half second that the patient sustains this healthier mode of thinking, which helps improve and stabilize this brave wave pattern.

With continued treatment, Neurofeedback treatments like the one described above will help the patient learn how to improve sustained focus on even nonpreferred tasks. Furthermore, with practice and repetition, the underlying dysregulation that caused the child’s difficulties can actually be improved, resulting in a “stronger” brain and long-lasting benefit.

Neuromodulation

Finally, the Drake Institute utilizes Neuromodulation therapy to support, enhance, and accelerate therapeutic improvements gained through Neurofeedback. This approach has been so successful that we’ve fully integrated it into our existing treatment protocols in 2019.

What is Neuromodulation?

In short, Neuromodulation provides therapeutic neurostimulation of dysregulated brain functioning by stimulating brainwave patterns that the patient is deficient in. Once established, the brain can then mimic or emulate this pattern to form healthier brain wave activity. This treatment protocol can also increase blood flow in damaged areas and reduce inflammation.

This treatment technology is so safe and effective that it is now used worldwide in renowned medical centers such as Harvard University School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, UCLA School of Medicine, and many others.

Contact the Drake Institute

If your child is struggling with their schoolwork due to ADD or ADHD, please don’t hesitate to call us for a free consultation. Our non-drug treatment protocols have provided many students with long-term symptom relief, helping them to achieve and go farther in school than they ever have before.

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"They started biofeedback right away to produce more alpha brain waves. I went daily for 4 weeks I believe? It was relaxing. My brain learned what to do. It CURED me."

"The treatment involves doing different protocols, you start to notice a difference after a couple weeks. The Drake Institute, and their treatment method is the way of the future! It absolutely was an answer to our prayers."

"I was hesitant to go to The Drake Institute but was at a loss on how to help my son. I can not thank Drake and Maria enough I don't think we would be where we are today without it."

“David F. Velkoff, M.D., our Medical Director and co-founder, supervises all evaluation procedures and treatment programs. He is recognized as a physician pioneer in using biofeedback, qEEG brain mapping, neurofeedback, and neuromodulation in the treatment of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and stress related illnesses including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Dr. David Velkoff earned his Master’s degree in Psychology from the California State University at Los Angeles in 1975, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta in 1976. This was followed by Dr. Velkoff completing his internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology with an elective in Neurology at the University of California Medical Center in Irvine. He then shifted his specialty to Neurophysical Medicine and received his initial training in biofeedback/neurofeedback in Neurophysical Medicine from the leading doctors in the world in biofeedback at the renown Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. In 1980, he co-founded the Drake Institute of Neurophysical Medicine. Seeking to better understand the link between illness and the mind, Dr. Velkoff served as the clinical director of an international research study on psychoneuroimmunology with the UCLA School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Pasteur Institute in Paris. This was a follow-up study to an earlier clinical collaborative effort with UCLA School of Medicine demonstrating how the Drake Institute's stress treatment resulted in improved immune functioning of natural killer cell activity. Dr. Velkoff served as one of the founding associate editors of the scientific publication, Journal of Neurotherapy. He has been an invited guest lecturer at Los Angeles Children's Hospital, UCLA, Cedars Sinai Medical Center-Thalians Mental Health Center, St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, and CHADD. He has been a medical consultant in Neurophysical Medicine to CNN, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Univision, and PBS.”

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ADHD – ways to help children at school and home

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can affect children's learning and social skills, and the way a family functions. Ways to help your child with ADHD include behaviour modification, home and classroom strategies, and sometimes counselling.

Strategies for school and homework

Verbal instructions.

• Keep instructions brief and clear.
• Say the child's name or tap them on the shoulder to make and keep eye contact when giving important information.
• Ask the child to repeat the instruction to make sure they understand it.
• The child may need prompting, monitoring and encouragement to keep them focused on tasks.

Written work

• Highlight important points in written information using asterisks (*), capital letters or bold text.
• Limit the amount of information that needs to be copied from the board. Instead, give handouts with this information.

Physical environment

• Keep the work area as uncluttered as possible.
• Sit the child near the front of the classroom.
• Plan seating and furniture carefully to minimise distractions, e.g. sit the child near classmates who will be good role models.

Other learning strategies

• Provide one-to-one instruction as often as possible.
• A class buddy, who gets along well with the child, can be helpful to reinforce instructions and directions.
• Make sure activities have plenty of hands-on involvement.
• Schedule the most important learning to take place during the child's best concentration time(s). This is usually in the morning.
• Give the child a checklist for what they need to do.
• Keep choices to a minimum.

Reducing over-activity and fatigue

• Build rest breaks into activities, e.g. a five-minute break for each 30 minutes of activity.
• Alternate academic tasks with brief physical exercise, e.g. the child could do structured tasks or errands such as delivering notes.
• Prepare a number of low-pressure, fun activities for when the child needs to spend a few minutes away from a task.
• Allow use of a non-disruptive fidget toy which can be kept at the child’s desk.

Keeping structure

Children with ADHD can struggle with changes to routine and need to know what to expect. The following strategies can help:

• Have a fixed routine and keep classroom activities well organised and predictable.
• Give the child advance warning when activities are changing, e.g. 'In five minutes you will have to put your work away', and remind them more than once.
• Display the daily schedule and classroom rules, e.g. attach a flowchart to the inside of the child's desk or book.
• Tell the child in advance of a change in the schedule whenever possible.

Self-esteem

• Set achievable goals and encourage the child to take part in activities where they will experience success.
• Acknowledge the child's achievements by congratulating them verbally and in written ways, such as notes or certificates.
• Focus their attention on the good parts of their written work, e.g. use a highlighter pen on the best sections of the child's work.
• Help them feel important in the classroom, e.g. acknowledging their effort to do a task even if they don't succeed.
• Near the end of the day, review with the child their accomplishments for that day.
• Attend to learning difficulties as soon as possible to restore self-confidence.

Social skills

• Involve the child in smaller groups of no more than two other children, instead of larger groups, whenever possible.
• Reward appropriate behaviour such as sharing and cooperating.
• Teach the child appropriate responses when they feel provoked. For example, teach them to walk away or talk to the teacher.
• Encourage the child to join activities where 'supervised socialisation' is available, such as Scouts or sporting groups.
• Talk with the child about the consequences of their actions upon themselves and upon others.
• Use visual prompts to remind the child to think before they act, e.g. 'STOP, THINK, DO'.

Communication between home and school

• Use a school–home daily communication book. Communicate both positive and inappropriate behaviours.
• Teachers, be sensitive to parents' feelings. Find positive things to share with them about their child on a regular basis. This can be done in front of the child.
• Make the work environment attractive, but it should be a quiet place without clutter so it is not too distracting.
• Have a regular scheduled time for homework.

Strategies for home

It’s often easy to focus on the negative aspects of a child’s behaviour, and you may feel that at times your child's behaviour is out of control. Their behaviour at home is likely to improve through a combination of rewards and reinforcement for positive 'good' behaviours, and consequences for negative behaviours.

• Consider implementing a positive behaviour system in your home. A reward chart for younger children or token economy for older children can add incentive for your child to increase desirable behaviours. Change the rewards frequently so that your child doesn’t get bored. This strategy can help switch your focus to times when your child is behaving well. 
• Have a set of family rules that are written down. Be explicit about what happens when these rules are followed (e.g. rewards) and what happens when they are not (e.g. consequences) and try to be consistent with this approach.
• Try to ‘catch’ your child being helpful, friendly or respectful and give them positive attention and praise for this behaviour. Make sure you are specific about what behaviours you really like and want to encourage. It is important for different caregivers to use the same set of rules.
• Ignore common minor attention-seeking behaviours. Turn away from your child or walk away, and respond only when they speak appropriately. Constantly attending to negative behaviours can teach a child that this is the best way to get your full attention.
• Use logical consequences for poor behaviours, e.g. homework should be completed before television, and if they take too long to complete the homework, they may miss out on watching their favourite show.
• Try to keep any consequences immediate, and ensure that they are consequences you can follow through with. For younger children, consequences should be linked to something happening that day, not on the weekend. If consequences are removal of privileges, ensure it is short-lived and the child is aware when it will be returned to them.
• Set aside small, regular sessions of one-on-one time with your child doing an activity your child wants to do. This helps to send the message that you love them and enjoy spending time with them.

Key points to remember

• Acknowledge and reward achievements and positive behaviour often.
• Attend to learning difficulties as soon as possible.
• A quiet place without clutter is important for homework.
• Talk with the child about the consequences of their actions.
• A positive behaviour system at home can help increase desirable behaviours.
• Ignore smaller negative behaviours, and use logical, immediate consequences for poor behaviours.

For more information

• Kids Health Info fact sheet: ADHD
• The Incredible Years: Parents, teachers and children training series
• ParentWorks
• Triple P: Positive Parenting Program

Common questions our doctors are asked

My child's teacher has said that my child frequently disrupts the class. How can we manage this?

Make an appointment with your child's teacher and run through the strategies given in this fact sheet. It is important that your child is rewarded and encouraged when they behave well (e.g. they work on a task without distracting their classmates). If your child's behaviour is causing significant problems at home and school, and the strategies in this fact sheet have not helped, you may want to discuss this with your doctor. See our fact sheet ADHD .

My child has problems getting along with other children in the playground. What can we do to help?

Children with ADHD sometimes have problems following playground rules, and other children may not understand the way they behave. This may lead to social isolation or conflict in the playground. Talk to your child's teacher about what can be done to help. 

Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Centre for Community Child Health. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

Reviewed August 2020.

Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au .

Disclaimer  

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

With ADHD Homework Can Be Tough: Here Are 3 Strategies For Success

If your child has ADHD, it goes without saying that you’re committed to helping them become successful and resilient, and overcome their academic challenges.

But on average, students with ADHD say that 80% of their interactions at school are negative ones.

Whether that’s because of how they feel about themselves, their surroundings, their peers, or just school in general… it means they spend the majority of their day feeling negative.

And there’s one issue in particular where this negativity tends to manifest itself most: homework .

With ADHD, homework can become a real struggle. But what we also know, is that it’s not a problem that can’t be overcome if we take the right steps.

In our opinion, there are three keys to success for students with ADHD:

• Know how ADHD manifests itself in your child
• Be the “Charismatic Adult”
• Set them up now with healthy homework and study habits

And in this post, we’ll cover different ways ADHD manifests itself and approaches to homework and studying that will help get them moving in the right direction and turn a negative school experience into a positive one.

1. Know how ADHD manifests itself in your child

It is essential to know how ADHD affects your child before you can choose the best approach to help them succeed academically.

More often than not you hear ADHD and you think of disruption. However, that is not always the case, especially when it comes to girls. Girls with ADHD may actually tend to be more shy and withdrawn. This is because when their minds wander away from the task at hand, they’re more inclined not to want you to know they’re not paying attention. As an avoidance strategy, it’s more straightforward to stay quiet.

Alternatively, with boys (generally speaking of course) the research shows they tend to manifest their ADHD symptoms more externally , whether through running around, interrupting vocally, or actively misbehaving. But it would also be a mistake to characterize all boys with ADHD in this way because there are many who don’t exhibit this behavior.

The bottom line is this:

Every case is different. You know your child. So it’s essential to try to best understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to schoolwork to determine which strategies are appropriate , and which don’t seem relevant.

2. Be the “Charismatic Adult”

Studies show the number one differentiator between students with behavioral, attention, or learning disorders who succeed and those who do not is the presence of a “charismatic adult’ in their life. As psychologist and researcher Julius Segal notes:

“From studies conducted around the world, researchers have distilled a number of factors that enable such children of misfortune to beat the heavy odds against them. One factor turns out to be the presence in their lives of a charismatic adult– a person with whom they identify and from whom they gather strength.”

Reflect on your own experiences…

How did you get to where you are today both personally and professionally? Did you have a charismatic adult in your life who encouraged and believed in you?

Being this figure in a child’s life does not mean being Mother Theresa, but it does require taking an interest in the child and their strengths rather than focusing on his or her shortcomings . And when mistakes and failures do happen, it means helping them work through them constructively so that they walk away from the situation knowing more than they did before and feeling positive about the experience.

3. Set them up now with healthy homework and study habits

You’ve heard them all before…

“It’s so booorrrrring…”

“I don’t have any homework.”

“I’ll start after I finish my video game.”

For most kids with ADHD homework and studying is filled with dread and excuses, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s break it down by topic so we can really hone in on how to help develop these essential habits that will carry them to success now, and later in their academic careers.

ADHD and Procrastination

Your child constantly procrastinates, even after dozens of reminders. How can you get him more excited about homework and completing it earlier?

Step 1: Have a predictable schedule

Allow a thirty-minute break after school before getting started on homework. When kids know what to expect they are less likely to procrastinate.

Step 2: Consider the “Tolerable 10”

Set a timer for just 10 minutes and encourage them to work as hard as they can until the time runs out. This helps give them a push to get started, and after the 10 minutes is up, they can either take a short break or continue for another round.

ADHD and Time Management

Time management is the enemy of kids with ADHD. Your child is smart, but when it comes to completing assignments, they can take hours longer than the instructor intended. How do you help them minimize distractions and encourage productivity?

Step 1: Make a game plan

Break homework or projects into smaller more manageable tasks. Check-in, in and make a big deal when he’s accomplished one or a set of tasks. For many kids, time is too abstract of a concept. Consider using candy or baseball cards and letting him know he’ll be rewarded when the task is complete.

Step 2: Help prioritize

Ask what they will do first to help them get started. Make sure they understand the directions and can do the work. Then, let him go at it alone but stay close by so you can help if needed.

Step 3: Use a timer Once you have broken up the assignment into more manageable pieces and helped prioritize their work, set a timer and encourage them to work in short spurts (see the “Tolerable 10” above). Then slowly make the time longer, but never more than 30 minutes.

ADHD and Missing Assignments and Instruction

Either they miss the teacher’s instructions, forget homework and books, or sometimes just ignore assignments entirely. How do you ensure homework and assignments are getting done without seeming overbearing ?

Step 1: Trust but verify

Set expectations, rewards, and consequences for completing homework and assignments. Then verify with an online grading portal if one is available. Communicate with teachers if necessary, but always do this with your child so that they’re involved in the process.

Step 2: Tie privileges to effort

Link things like screen time and hanging out with friends to the amount of time spent studying and doing homework, rather than outcomes like grades. Kids can see the direct correlation between working and learning, and a benefit… rather than feeling overwhelmed by the idea of getting better grades, when they may not know exactly how.

Step 3: Talk to teachers about emailing assignments and homework

Kids with ADHD and executive dysfunction may benefit from having the option to submit homework online or through email. They can focus on one thing at a time, and submit it right then and there, rather than having to manage to organize it, and bringing it to school and turn it in.

ADHD and Distractions

Pulling your child back into study mode from a break or video games seems near impossible. So how do you pull them away from those distractions and focus on homework?

Step 1: Put a limit on breaks

Kids may need a break after a long school day. For elementary-aged kids, a 30-minute break after school should do the trick. Older kids may need more time to “chill” after school is out, but ideally, assignments and studying should start before dinner time. Use this to have them indulge in their break time, while still setting boundaries.

Step 2: Control screen time

Limit breaks to outdoor activities or things that don’t involve a screen. Video games and social media are specifically designed addictive and hard to detach from. So allow a mental break, but don’t let them make things harder on themselves than they need to be by getting wrapped up in something that’s hard to pull away from.

ADHD and Homework: What’s next?

Now, after all of this you may be asking yourself:

“If I do all of this will my child eventually be ready for college and academic independence?”

The best way to ensure your child will be ready for the independence they crave is to back off slowly, but stay supportive.

Set up weekly meetings, maybe every Sunday before the school week starts, and discuss upcoming assignments and offer support. You’ve guided them through this far, and it is time to let them take the wheel… just make sure they don’t head off in the wrong direction.

If you would like to discuss how one-to-one tutoring or executive function coaching could help your child, we invite you to schedule a time to speak with one of our education specialists by clicking below.

How to Do Homework With ADHD | 5 Tips

Home » Parent Press » Neurodiverse Parenting » ADHD » How to Do Homework With ADHD | 5 Tips

ADHD can make homework feel overwhelming for any kid, but especially for kids with learning disabilities and thinking differences. I worked with a young boy who struggled with both ADHD and autism and often had total meltdowns after school when his parents tried to make him do his homework. He’d cry that he felt stupid, he’d kick and scream, and he’d say that the assignments were too hard and he wasn’t going to do them. After a lot of trial and error, we finally came up with a handful of tips that changed everything. Homework time turned into something he dreaded less and less, and he was eventually able to complete most of his assignments with only minimal support.

Table of Contents

1. Set a Deadline

A schedule can help kids with ADHD manage their time and stay on track. But when setting these deadlines, keep them short and flexible. Aim for small victories and don’t worry about getting the entire assignment done in one sitting. Plan for lots of breaks! For example, instead of saying “you need to finish all of your math homework tonight,” try setting a timer for fifteen minutes of focused work before a short movement break.

2. Break it Down

Large assignments and complex projects often feel overwhelming for kids with ADHD. To overcome this, help your child break big assignments down into smaller, more achievable pieces. This can transform frustration into focus, creating a roadmap towards successful completion. Let’s say they have a book report due in two weeks. Brainstorm with them how to break the task down into smaller daily goals – maybe they’ll read one chapter per day, or make an outline one day, and then write a rough draft on another day.

3. Study in Short Bursts

Kids with ADHD have a harder time staying on task for long stretches of time, so studying in short bursts can improve focus and avoid overwhelm. Instead of a marathon homework session, try aiming for twenty-minute work periods followed by short movement breaks. For younger children, this timeframe might be even shorter.

4. Create a Space

Finding the right study environment makes all the difference. Kids with ADHD need to minimize distractions and find a space with everything they need close at hand. Try to find a quiet space with good lighting and an uncluttered surface to spread out. Before homework time, have them gather all their books, writing utensils, and any other materials they’ll need, so they don’t have to get up and break their concentration.

Goally | The Safest Tablet for Kids

5. Take Breaks

Regular breaks boost focus and motivation for all kids, and especially for those with ADHD. But not all breaks are created equal. Aim for breaks that involve movement to help kids release pent-up energy and regain their focus. A game of tag in the backyard, a quick dance session, or even a few sets of jumping jacks can work wonders.

6. Track Your Assignments

As kids get older, they’ll have more and more assignments coming from multiple teachers, which can make things feel overwhelming and chaotic. Keeping track of everything is key, even for younger children. Whether it’s an electronic calendar, a Google Doc, or a simple homework planner, help your child write down their assignments and due dates in a format that works for them.

7. Reward Yourself

Positive reinforcement goes a long way. Celebrating the effort along with the end result is important. Let’s say your child’s goal was to focus on their homework for twenty minutes without getting distracted. Even if they didn’t finish the entire assignment, acknowledge their effort and offer a reward. Perhaps that means fifteen minutes of screen time, a favorite snack, or some one-on-one time before bed.

Additional Tips

Remember that consistency is crucial. It may take some trial and error to find the strategies that work best for your child. It’s okay to experiment, and don’t get discouraged if some things don’t stick at first.

Goally | Apps To Support Child Development

Looking for fun ways to help your child learn life skills? Try Goally! The Goally tablet comes with award-winning learning apps and video classes to help kids develop the skills they need to become independent with FUN & evidence-based practices.

Our apps teach executive function , language , emotional regulation, finger dexterity skills , and more.

As your child develops new skills, you can increase the difficulty level of the tasks in the app to challenge and motivate them even further. This helps your child grow and progress at their own pace, while also keeping them engaged and excited about their development.

Homework doesn’t have to be a battle. Using the right strategies and fostering a positive and supportive environment can make all the difference for kids who struggle to stay organized, focus, and complete assignments. Be flexible, patient, and don’t be afraid to seek additional help if you need it.

Additional Resources

• Understood – Offers practical information and resources for parents of children with learning and thinking differences
• ADDitude – Provides research-backed ADHD strategies and support
• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – National resource on ADHD

FAQs About How to do Homework with ADHD

This post was originally published on 12/28/2020. It was updated on 03/05/2024.

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5 strategies to make homework easier for adhd kids (and parents).

Home work. Those two words seem mismatched.

Home is where you can chill, be yourself, and get a little break from “work.”

Coming home from their 30-hour a week "job," many children crave down time. They want a break from "work" – from being "on" or putting effort into paying attention for six hours!

So who can blame kids for not wanting to do their homework ?

As parents, we understand that homework reinforces lessons learned from the school day. Revisiting material and practicing skills is fruitful. However, if you have a child (or more), you probably have stories that prove otherwise. Especially with screens as part of the equation.

Attention-challenged children struggle because of problems unrelated to the specific homework assignment:

• Dis tracted by the internet
• Dis enchanted with the topic
• Dis engaged during the lesson at school
• Dis mayed by how long it takes to answer a single question
• Dis combobulated from trying to categorize what is most important

Homework also assumes that all children have stay-at-home moms who are “on call” to help – which is not exactly true in this day and age!

Since our smart but scattered children aren't naturally supplied with minds that can keep track of due dates and directions, here are some homework strategies to ease the challenges ADHD kids face. But remember – the most important thing you can do to help your child, by far, is to notice what she or he does well, and encourage it.

Article continues below...

Want to stop school struggles.

Download a free tipsheet "10 Parenting Tips for School Success" to stop constant challenges at school and at home!

Here are 5 homework strategies for ADHD kids to get you started:

• Right after school or later ?
• Broken into time segments?
• With or without music?
• At a desk or the kitchen counter?
• Allow them to change it up from day to day

Foster Independence

Around 5th grade, a major goal can be independence with homework. From start to finish, the parent should assist – not nag to completion. You can gradually help your child less and less, and still expect high quality work.

• Note: this may be delayed for many kids with Executive Function challenges
• From start to finish, the parent should assist – not nag to completion.
• Gradually help less and less, and still expect high quality work.
• Goal: Only help when your child asks for it.
• Remember that it's their work – not yours.
• Digital post-it notes for work for some students – they see them on their desktop when they arrive at the screen.
• Reward for independently using processes and organization strategies, sticking to a time schedule, and being focused on online resources (rather than Youtube, etc.).

Visual Charts

• Calendars or bulleted lists help enormously. Student planners and online calendars tend to be "out of sight and out of mind."
• Large white boards are great, ideally one for each child.
• Designate a special place on the wall for it. Use it to make charts that track homework topics or nightly reading.
• Use abbreviations and humor to simplify and keep your child's attention.
• Boxes on the chart can also list homework assignments.
• Have your child write estimates for how long they should take to finish.
• It's beneficial to an ADD mind to track time elapsing. After the work is done, write down how long it actually took to track time management.

Physical Space

• Comfortable, flat surface
• Well-lit from above
• Not too far from the printer, if a middle or high schooler
• Quiet (except possible headphones)
• Free from distraction
• Stocked with needed materials
• Fidgets that help focus (not distract)

Paperwork – Breathe, and Scan Everything!

• Keeping track of the endless reading logs, rubrics, drafts, and study sheets seems impossible!
• Maintaining their original condition is even more difficult. This is where technology is your friend.
• Teachers who post documents on their websites are saviors. Scan any blank reading logs or assignments to keep on record at home.
• It also helps to color code folders and notebooks for some children.

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Because differences are our greatest strength

7 reasons kids with ADHD often rush through homework

By Gail Belsky

Expert reviewed by Andrew Kahn, PsyD

Updated January 3, 2023

All kids rush through homework once in a while so they can get to the things they’d rather be doing. But for kids with ADHD, rushing can be an ongoing challenge that results in sloppy, incorrect, or incomplete work.

Why does this happen? A key reason is that kids with ADHD struggle with executive function skills . They often have a hard time staying focused, managing their time, waiting, and monitoring their work. 

Other factors may come into play, too. Kids with ADHD may be worn out after school. Or they might have “ medication rebound ” if they take stimulants for ADHD. 

Here are some of the most common reasons kids with ADHD race through their homework assignments.

1. Trouble holding on to information

Trouble with working memory can make it hard for kids with ADHD to keep information in mind as they do their homework. Instead of taking their time to think through their answers, they might scribble them out as fast as possible before they lose their train of thought. That can mean incomplete or even incorrect responses.

2. Poor time management skills

When kids with ADHD have multiple assignments, they may have trouble gauging how much time to spend on each one. They also may hyperfocus on one task and then have a hard time moving on to the next. Having spent an hour on one assignment, they might speed through their remaining homework.

3. Difficulty staying interested

Kids with ADHD have trouble with focus and often tune out quickly when tasks are tedious. Faced with a worksheet of 25 similar math problems, they might zoom through it carelessly because they’re bored.

4. Difficulty with self-monitoring

For kids with ADHD, doing homework may seem endless. So the idea of sitting even longer to check over their work for mistakes can be unbearable. They may also think it’s OK to just turn in their first effort, rather than spend more time making sure it’s correct and complete.

5. Trouble with self-control

Kids with ADHD can have a hard time putting off what they want, even if it’s better for them to wait. If they’re itching to play their new video game or watch TV, they might rush through homework without even thinking or caring about the fact that taking their time can result in better grades.

6. Learning challenges

Kids with ADHD often have learning challenges like dyslexia and dyscalculia as well. So on top of the challenges that ADHD presents, they may struggle with the work itself. That can lead them to rush through homework just to get it over with.

7. Feeling defeated

Struggling at school can wear kids down and make them lose confidence. Over time, they may come to believe they won’t “get it.” Or that they won’t do well no matter how hard they try. If kids believe the outcome will be the same whether they spend 20 minutes or two hours on homework, they might not think it’s worth it to take the time to do a careful job.

If your child races through homework, knowing the reasons why lets you find strategies that can help. Observe your child during homework and look for patterns . Get tips for helping kids slow down on homework in grade school and middle school . And download a free homework contract that your child can follow.

Key takeaways

Rushing leads to sloppy, incorrect, or incomplete homework.

Kids with ADHD often also have learning differences that can make homework so difficult that they rush just to be done with it.

A medication “rebound” effect can make some kids get very tired or sluggish after school. Fine-tuning ADHD medication can help.

Explore related topics

Louisville: 502-907-5908  

How to Help Your Child with Homework

As a parent of a child with ADHD, you’re no stranger to the challenges that come with homework time. Distractions, disorganization, and frustration can make the process overwhelming for both you and your child. However, with the right strategies and a supportive approach, you can transform homework time into a more manageable and productive experience.

In this blog, we will explore practical tips on how to help your child with ADHD succeed in their homework assignments.

1. Create a Consistent Homework Routine

One of the most effective ways to support your child with ADHD is to establish a consistent homework routine. Set aside a specific time each day for homework and stick to it. Consistency helps your child know what to expect, making the transition into homework mode smoother.

2. Designate a Distraction-Free Workspace

Create a homework environment that minimizes distractions. Choose a quiet, clutter-free space with good lighting. Remove electronic devices, TV, and other potential distractions to help your child stay focused.

3. Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks

Homework assignments can sometimes feel overwhelming for children with ADHD. Break down tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Provide clear instructions and use a timer to encourage your child to work on one part of the assignment at a time.

4. Use Visual Aids and Timers

Visual aids, like charts and schedules, can be incredibly helpful for children with ADHD. Timers can also be beneficial for time management. Encourage your child to set a timer for work periods and short breaks, helping them stay on track and maintain focus.

5. Be a Homework Partner, Not a Director

While it’s essential to offer guidance and support, avoid taking over your child’s homework. Be a partner, not a director. Ask open-ended questions, provide encouragement, and offer suggestions rather than doing the work for them. This approach fosters independence and problem-solving skills.

6. Positive Reinforcement

Acknowledge your child’s efforts and successes during homework time. Positive reinforcement, such as praise or small rewards, can motivate them to stay engaged and complete tasks.

You can learn more about positive parenting in this blog: 5 Criteria for Positive Parenting.

7. Communicate with Teachers

Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers. They can provide insights into your child’s strengths and weaknesses and may be able to offer additional support or accommodations in the classroom.

8. Break Up Work Periods with Physical Activity

Physical activity can help children with ADHD release pent-up energy and enhance their focus. Encourage short breaks for physical movement between work periods.

9. Teach Organizational Skills

Children with ADHD often struggle with organization. Teach your child strategies for staying organized, such as using a planner, setting priorities, and creating to-do lists.

10. Encourage Homework Independence

As your child matures, encourage them to take more responsibility for their homework. Gradually decrease your involvement and guide them towards becoming a self-sufficient learner.

Need Help Managing ADHD?

Helping your child with ADHD succeed in homework is a collaborative effort. By establishing a consistent routine, creating a conducive workspace, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, using visual aids and timers, and fostering independence, you can make homework time less daunting and more productive. Remember to maintain open communication with teachers, offer positive reinforcement, and be patient and understanding as your child develops valuable skills for success. With your support, your child can overcome the challenges of ADHD and thrive academically.

If you’re seeking additional guidance and support in managing your child’s ADHD, our team at NextStep4ADHD is here to help. We offer personalized solutions and comprehensive strategies to empower your child’s learning journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out for an ADHD consultation and discover how we can make a positive impact on your child’s education. Click here to schedule an appointment with us today to explore the possibilities of a brighter academic future for your child.

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10 Tips for Supporting a Child With ADHD

January 31, 2024

Living with ADHD can be challenging for parents and children alike. By providing the right support to your child with ADHD, you can help them boost their self-esteem and reach their potential. Plus, it can help keep your relationship with them healthy and strong.

“Living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD , can be difficult for both the person who has the disorder and for those who live with them. When you have a child with ADHD, you can support them and make a positive difference,” says Denise Bothe, MD , a developmental behavioral pediatric expert at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s.

Try these tips:

• Learn about ADHD: Make an effort to research the disorder so you can better understand your child’s behaviors. This can include learning from a knowledgeable therapist or reading trustworthy sources of information, like the CDC .
• It takes a team: Parents, teachers and healthcare providers should work together to manage ADHD problems. Children with ADHD benefit from behavior guidance to learn self-regulation skills, environmental modifications to improve focus, and sometimes medication management to help with better self-control. Your child may need specially tailored instruction and goals at school.
• Encourage healthy habits: Following a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and plenty of sleep can help keep ADHD symptoms in check. Help your child avoid processed foods and those that are high in sugar. Schedule time for physical activity. See that they go to sleep and wake up about the same time each day.
• Stick to a routine: Following a similar schedule daily can help with organization skills by repeating what is expected each day. Plus, routines help reduce stress for all, which can help a child with ADHD feel less overwhelmed and function better.
• Communicate clearly: All children benefit from clear communication, but this is especially important for children with ADHD, who need clear expectations. Keep communications and directions simple, brief and specific.
• Join a support group: Talking with people who are in similar situations can help. Try joining a group that helps parents and family members of people with ADHD connect with each other. If that seems like too much, you can also attend therapy geared toward families. CHADD is a great online resource for parents.
• Encourage tidiness: Keeping spaces organized can help manage ADHD symptoms and lessen the strain that ADHD can cause in relationships. Encourage your child to reduce clutter and keep items in the same place. Designate a specific place like a basket or table by the front door where they can drop important items. That way, they’ll always know where to find them, and that will cut down on stress – for both of you.
• Promote organization: Being organized is a trait that helps life run more smoothly. Write down reminders and appointments or encourage your child to do so. Have them write a daily to-do list. Work with the teachers to come up with strategies for organizing school/homework, with reminders to turn it in for credit. For school, one strategy is a one binder system, where each subject is in a different colored folder in the same binder, and this goes with the child to every class and home to reduce the chances of leaving important work at school or forgetting papers.
• Help them manage stress: Teaching deep breathing exercises can help your child learn a skill they can do anywhere to promote relaxation. Lots of exercise also helps get the stress out. Yoga can help your child with concentration and relaxation, while massage can help reduce muscle tension.
• Take care of yourself: You cannot take the best care of your child when you are running on empty. Take time out for self-care, whether it’s enjoying a hobby, going for a walk or taking a few quiet minutes to yourself.

Related Links

The pediatric experts at UH Rainbow address a wide range of child development issues and help families nurture children’s development, build strengths, and address children’s and families’ needs. Learn more.

Tags: ADHD , Children's Health , Denise Bothe, MD

How to Tell if You Have an Attention-Deficit

Some people never know they have attentional challenges associated with adhd..

Posted June 19, 2024 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

• What Is ADHD?
• Find a therapist to help with ADHD
• The attention deficit associated with ADHD is misunderstood, leading to some being missed for the diagnosis.
• Many people with ADHD can pay attention when they are interested, but struggle to do so when bored.
• Analyzing where and when focus is easy can help individuals understand their attentional patterns.
• If attention is an issue for you, you might consider talking to a medical professional about ADHD.

Having a deficit of attention is often associated with the diagnostic criterion of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , ADHD. Historically, this trait has been stereotyped and misunderstood (Hallowell and Ratey, 2021). Recently, scholars have clarified that people with ADHD do not necessarily struggle with a lack of attention but, instead, have difficulty managing and directing their attention (Hallowell and Ratey, 2021).

This misunderstanding of what it means to have the attention-deficit part of ADHD is why I never thought I could have the condition and likely why no one around me thought I could have it either (I was diagnosed at age 37). Because I was able to focus in school, I thought that there was no way I could have ADHD. However, we now understand that people with ADHD often have an abundance of focus when they are interested in something. This ability to focus for long periods on particular activities or topics is described as hyperfocus (Mutti-Driscoll, 2024).

People with ADHD have interest-driven nervous systems , which means that if they are not interested in the subject matter or the context they are in, it is extremely hard for them to focus even if they want to (Dodson, 2024). Despite common misconceptions about people with ADHD “not caring” or “being lazy,” people with ADHD so often want to do well, frequently becoming people-pleasers and perfectionists in their drive to meet expectations. However, if people with ADHD brains are not interested in the content of a situation, it can be very hard for them to perform (Dodson, 2024).

If you are wondering if you might experience the telltale attention deficit of ADHD, the question should not be, “Can I focus or not?” because most people with ADHD can focus sometimes. Instead, ask questions about your attention patterns and whether the themes guiding it are interest-based. Try these questions instead and see if you might discover some possibly more nuanced attentional challenges:

• In what situations is it easy for you to pay attention?
• In what situations is it difficult for you to focus?
• How does your attention differ when working in an interest area versus not an area of less personal interest?
• How do boredom and fatigue affect your ability to focus?

As you reflect on these questions, you should be able to determine if your attentional patterns seem to have an interest-based arc to them. If these attentional challenges are getting in the way of your goals in multiple settings, you might consider talking to a medical professional about being assessed for ADHD.

Hallowell, E., & Ratey, J. (2021). ADHD 2.0: New science and essential strategies for thriving with distraction - from childhood through adulthood. Ballatine Books: New York.

Mutti-Driscoll, C. (2024). The ADHD workbook for teen girls: understand your neurodivergent brain, make the most of your strengths, and build confidence to thrive . New Harbinger Press.

Catherine J. Mutti-Driscoll, Ph.D. , is the author of The ADHD Workbook for Teen Girls and a director with the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center.

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ADHD Medications and Side Effects

Stimulants and Non-Stimulant Medications to Treat ADHD

• Non-Stimulants
• Antidepressants
• Medication for Adults vs. Kids

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications are prescribed to manage common ADHD symptoms, like difficulty focusing, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.

Medications approved to treat ADHD include stimulants, like Adderall and Ritalin, and non-stimulants, like Strattera and Intuniv. Antidepressants, like Wellbutrin, are also prescribed off-label to treat ADHD.  

This article discusses ADHD medication. It describes how different types of ADHD medicines work to manage ADHD symptoms. It also explains common ADHD medication side effects. 

Types of ADHD Medications

ADHD medications balance neurotransmitters in the brain like norepinephrine and dopamine to reduce ADHD symptoms. Medications used to treat ADHD include stimulants, non-stimulants, and antidepressants.

Stimulants are the oldest and most common type of medication used to treat ADHD. They work quickly to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Stimulants can increase a person’s energy, alertness, and attention and are available in short-acting and extended-release formulas.

Non-stimulants are newer ADHD drugs that increase norepinephrine levels. There are two classes of non-stimulant ADHD medicines: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors  (SNRIs) and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. These don’t work as quickly as stimulants, are not always effective, and may be used in combination with other ADHD medicines.

Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. They may be used in combination with other ADHD medications and are especially helpful when ADHD co-occurs with other conditions like anxiety, depression, or mood disorders.

Verywell / Michela Buttignol

Stimulant ADHD Medicines

Stimulants increase brain levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are linked to focus and attention. Boosting these neurotransmitters helps manage ADHD symptoms.

Stimulant medications are derived from either amphetamine or methylphenidate. Both have similar effects but work slightly differently. For example, methylphenidate tends to work faster, but the effects don't last as long.

Stimulants come in short-acting and extended-release formulas. Short-acting, immediate-release ADHD medications can last four to six hours, compared to long-acting, extended-release products that can last eight to 16 hours. Extended-release formulas typically have XR, ER, or LA in their name.

Stimulant ADHD medications are available in tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, and liquid formulas. A transdermal ADHD medication, Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine), was approved in 2022.

The following stimulant ADHD medications are available:

Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)

Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)

Adzenys XR-ODT (amphetamine, extended release)

Dyanavel XR (amphetamine) 

Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)

Evekeo (amphetamine sulfate)

Mydayis (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, extended release)

ProCentra (dextroamphetamine sulfate)

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine, extended release)

Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine)

Zenzedi (dextroamphetamine sulfate)

Aptensio XR (methylphenidate)

Azstarys (serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate)

Concerta (methylphenidate, extended release)

Contempla XR (methylphenidate) 

Daytrana (methylphenidate, extended release)

Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)

Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate)

Jornay PM (methylphenidate, extended release night formula)

Metadate (methylphenidate, extended release)

Methylphenidate 

QuilliChew ER (methylphenidate)

Quillivant XR (methylphenidate)

Ritalin (methylphenidate)

Ritalin LA (methylphenidate)

Side Effects of Stimulant ADHD Medicines

Stimulant medications have similar side effects, which are more common with higher doses. These include:

• Decreased appetite
• Irritability
• Mild abdominal pain
• Sleep problems
• Weight loss  or poor weight gain in children

Stimulants can also trigger depression or even suicidal thoughts, though rare. Different formulas may have additional side effects.

Stimulants also carry a risk of addiction. However, that risk is low when taken as prescribed for the treatment of ADHD. In fact, some research suggests that treating ADHD may reduce a person’s risk for  substance use disorder.

Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications

There are four non-stimulant medications that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat ADHD:

• Strattera (atomoxetine)
• Qelbree (viloxazine)
• Kapvay; Catapres (clonidine ER)
• Intuniv; Tenex (guanfacine ER)

Strattera (atomoxetine) is the oldest non-stimulant medication that’s specifically approved for ADHD. An SNRI, it works to control ADHD symptoms by increasing norepinephrine in the brain.

Strattera can be taken once a day or split into two doses (morning and evening). The medication can be taken with or without food.  It is available in brand-name and generic atomoxetine.

Strattera is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children and adults.

Qelbree (viloxazine) is a newer FDA-approved non-stimulant medication for ADHD, An SNRI, it works similarly to Strattera by increasing levels of norepinephrine in the brain.

Qelbree is only available in a brand-name formula. It is taken once a day, with or without food.

Qelbree is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children ages 6 years and older and adults.

Clonidine and Guanfacine

Clonidine  and guanfacine have been used for years to treat health conditions like high blood pressure. Both drugs are alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, which act on norepinephrine in the brain. These pills come in brand-name and generic forms:

• Clonidine: Catapres, Kapvay
• Guanfacine: Tenex, Intuniv

Clonidine tablets are usually taken twice a day. It also comes in film patches (Catapres) that are changed every seven days.

Long-acting guanfacine (Intuniv) can be taken as a single dose once a day or two to three times a day for the short-acting form (Tenex).

Side Effects of Non-Stimulant ADHD Medicines

Strattera (atomoxetine) and Qelbree (viloxazine) are in the same drug class and share some similar potential side effects. Some of these include:

• Reduced appetite
• Upset stomach

Catapres and Kapvay (both clonidine) and Tenex and Intuniv (both guanfacine) also share some similar side effects, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Low blood pressure and dizziness

Some of these symptoms tend to be less severe in Tenex and Intuniv than the others. Intuniv is also less likely to decrease appetite than other ADHD medications, so it may be a better option for people who are underweight.

Antidepressant ADHD Medications

Some providers use antidepressants “off-label” to treat ADHD, which means that while they have not been FDA-approved for this purpose, they can still be helpful.

Antidepressants are also non-stimulants. Even though they have not been studied enough to get FDA approval for ADHD treatments, some research suggests antidepressants are helpful for some people with ADHD.

Like other types of non-stimulants, antidepressants are an option when first-line ADHD treatments haven’t helped. Your provider may also recommend that you try taking an antidepressant along with ADHD medications.

Some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for people with ADHD include:

• Wellbutrin; Wellbutrin XL; Wellbutrin SR (bupropion)
• Norpramin (desipramine)
• Aventyl; Pamelor (nortriptyline)
• Tofranil (imipramine)

Side Effects of Antidepressants

Possible side effects of antidepressants include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight gain
• Sexual problems

Are ADHD Medications the Same for Adults and Children?

Both stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications are approved for children and adults. While the drugs are the same, the doses and forms of ADHD drug treatments can be different for children than they are for adults. For example, a child may need a lower dose than an adult.

Some kids with ADHD benefit from taking a long-acting ADHD medication so they can take it before they go to school and have their symptoms managed throughout the day.

Certain capsule forms of ADHD medications can be opened and sprinkled on soft foods like applesauce, which makes them a great option for kids who have a hard time swallowing pills.   

ADHD medications generally fall into one of two categories: stimulants and non-stimulants.

Stimulant medications such as  Adderall and Ritalin  are well-established treatments for ADHD, and they are safe and effective for most people.

Newer, non-stimulant medications, such as Strattera, are also an option. Some providers also recommend trying antidepressants either on their own or with ADHD medications.

As with all medications, ADHD medications come with side effects and risks. But there are also risks of having untreated ADHD. Work with your provider to come up with an effective ADHD treatment plan and decide whether medication would help you manage your symptoms.

Faraone SV, Banaschewski T, Coghill D, et al. The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder .  Neurosci Biobehav Rev . 2021;128:789-818. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.022

Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents . Pediatrics . 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528

U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. What medications are used to treat ADHD?  

Felt BT, Biermann B, Christner JG, et al. Diagnosis and management of ADHD in children . Am Fam Physician . 2014;90(7):456–64.

Faraone SV. The pharmacology of amphetamine and methylphenidate: Relevance to the neurobiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities .  Neurosci Biobehav Rev . 2018;87:255-270. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.001

Young JL, Goodman DW. Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderdiagnosis, management, and treatment in the DSM-5 era . Prim Care CompanionCNS Disord . 2016;18(6). doi:10.4088/PCC.16r02000

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Highlights of prescribing information: Xelstrym (dextroamphetamine) transdermal system .

Chang Z, Lichtenstein P, Halldner L, et al. Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse .  J Child Psychol Psychiatry . 2014;55(8):878-885.doi:10.1111/jcpp.12164

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Highlights of Prescribing Information: Strattera (atomoxetine) .

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Highlights of prescribing information: Qelbree (viloxazine) .

American Academy of Pediatrics. Non-stimulant medications available for ADHD treatment .

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Highlights of prescribing information: Kapvay (clonidine) .

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Highlights of prescribing information: Catapres (clonidine) .

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Highlights of prescribing information: Intuniv (guanfacine) .

Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Catapres-TTS (clonidine) transdermal therapeutic system .

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Highlights of prescribing information: Tenex (guanfacine hydrochloride) .

U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Commonly prescribed antidepressants and how they work .

American Academy of Pediatrics. Common ADHD medications & treatments for children.

Northwell Health. The ADHD medication guide .

By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD Dr. Hickman is a freelance medical and health writer specializing in physician news and patient education.

Welcome to Copilot on Windows

Experience Microsoft Copilot on Windows devices using the Copilot app! Copilot helps you get answers and inspiration from across the web, supports creativity and collaboration, and helps you focus on the task at hand.

Important: 

On new Windows 11 PCs and new Copilot PCs shipping into EEA and other markets where Copilot is available, the Copilot app will be pinned to the Windows taskbar. For existing Windows 11 PCs, timing of availability and delivery method will vary.

At Microsoft, we're guided by our AI principles , our Responsible AI Standard , and decades of research on AI, grounding, and privacy-preserving machine learning. Data privacy and security is a key principle of responsible AI. We aim to help our customers use our AI products responsibly, sharing our learnings, and building trust-based partnerships. To learn more about how Copilot on Windows uses your data to assist you, see Your data and privacy .

Get started with Copilot

To get started, open the Copilot app from the Start menu or use the Copilot icon if present on your Windows taskbar. If your device keyboard includes a dedicated Copilot key, you can also use it to launch Copilot.

Copilot uses your Microsoft account to provide personalized assistance and access to a wide range of features.

Interact with Copilot

Copilot is designed to deliver AI-powered assistance in a convenient manner, enabling you to seamlessly engage with generative AI on Windows. 

You can resize, move, and use Snap Assist  with Copilot, just like you can with other Windows apps. You can use Alt + Tab to switch focus between Copilot and other open apps. If you need to close Copilot, just select the Close    button at the top like you would for any other app. When you reopen Copilot, it opens exactly how you left it with your previous chat content intact. Copilot also respects your Windows theme including high contrast themes.

Chatting with Copilot

You can ask Copilot a range of questions, from simple to complex. If you want to call your family in Cyprus, you can quickly check the local time to make sure you’re not waking them up in the middle of the night. Want to plan a trip to visit them in Cyprus? Ask Copilot to find flights and accommodations for mid-winter break. While you're typing into the chat pane, Microsoft Copilot provides autocomplete assistance to make chatting easier. Just use Tab to accept the suggested text. To start fresh with a new chat thread, use the New topic button to clear your previous chat conversation.  

Copilot seamlessly integrates with the clipboard and provides the ability to drag and drop images to provide rich interaction, allowing you to get things done faster.

Note:  Performing Windows actions such as changing Windows settings or executing common Windows tasks is not supported at this time.

Microsoft’s commitment to responsible AI and Privacy

Microsoft has been working to advance AI responsibly since 2017, when we first defined our AI principles and later operationalized our approach through our Responsible AI Standard. Privacy and security are principles as we develop and deploy AI systems. We work to help our customers use our AI products responsibly, sharing our learnings, and building trust-based partnerships. For more about our responsible AI efforts, the principles that guide us, and the tooling and capabilities we've created to assure that we develop AI technology responsibly, see Responsible AI .

To learn more about how Copilot on Windows uses your data to assist you, see  Your data and privacy .

Keep in mind…

Copilot chat leverages GPT, a new AI system from OpenAI that creates text based on a prompt. As GPT is a new system, it may create things you didn’t expect. If you find content to be unexpected or offensive, send us feedback so we can make it better. 

Content may contain inaccuracies or sensitive material because it is generated by AI that draws from the internet. Be sure to review and verify the information it generates. Similar requests may result in the same content being generated. 

We want to hear from you! 

If there's something you like, and especially if there's something you don't like, about Copilot you can submit feedback to Microsoft through the menu located near your user profile icon at the top of the Copilot window. 

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Live Webinar on August 8: ADHD in Preschool: Early Diagnosis & Intervention for Young Children

Register below for this free webinar on adhd in preschool children on thursday, august 8, 2024, at 1pm et. sign up and you will receive the free webinar replay link as well.

Register to reserve your spot for this free webinar and webinar replay ►

Not available August 8? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.

What are the signs of ADHD in a preschooler ? Can preschoolers be diagnosed with ADHD? Research suggests that symptoms of ADHD can emerge in young children. In fact, to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), the symptoms must be present before the age of 12. But because preschool children are typically active and easily distractable, identifying early signs of ADHD can be a challenge.

In general, today’s parents have more research-based information available to them than did previous generations of caregivers. But so-called “expert” opinions often conflict about what constitutes typical toddler behavior. Some experts minimize extreme behavior and suggest that most children will simply “outgrow” hyperactive or impulsive tendencies . Others over-pathologize common variations in typical child development, such as when preschoolers struggle to stay engaged in adult-oriented activities that are challenging for most young children. The contradictory information can leave parents perplexed about how to address their child’s behavior and whether that behavior indicates early signs of ADHD.

As such, conversations between parents and providers on the early identification and treatment of ADHD are critical. Indeed, some children will exhibit emergence of ADHD in early development, and the accurate diagnosis of children with ADHD can, in turn, help parents learn strategies to mitigate challenging behavior and teach skills that lead to long-term success.

This webinar will provide an overview of the behavioral onset patterns of ADHD as well as the early signs, symptoms, and treatment for preschool children with suspected ADHD.

In this webinar, participants will also learn:

• How to differentiate between typical development and behaviors among preschoolers that may indicate ADHD
• About the different types of ADHD and their early signs and symptoms
• How a diagnosis of ADHD is made during the preschool years
• Evidenced-based treatment guidelines for managing ADHD in young children at home and in preschool

Have a question for our expert? There will be an opportunity to post questions for the presenter during the live webinar.

Meet the Expert Speakers

Alexis Bancroft, Ph.D., is a psychologist in the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute.

Cynthia Martin, Psy.D., is the Senior Director and a senior psychologist in the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute.

ADHD in Preschool: More Resources

• Self-Test: ADHD Symptoms in Children
• Read : Isn’t My 4-Year-Old Too Young to Be Diagnosed With ADHD?
• Read: “The Day My Hyperactive Toddler Aced His ADHD Test”
• eBook : A Parent’s Guide to Effective Routines

Certificate of Attendance: For information on how to purchase the certificate of attendance option (cost $10), register for the webinar, then look for instructions in the email you’ll receive one hour after it ends. The certificate of attendance link will also be available here, on the webinar replay page, several hours after the live webinar. ADDitude does not offer CEU credits.

Closed captions available.

More ADHD Articles Recommended for You

Think Your Preschooler or Toddler Has ADHD? Ask These Four Questions

The Doctor Is Not In: ADHD’s Pediatrician Problem

7 Surprising Ways ADHD Shows Up in the Classroom

“Is ADHD Really Real?” 6 Ranked Responses to ADD Skeptics

A Parent’s Guide to Effective Routines