by Julia Beirut

Created on: April 26, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

A daily routine helps a child with attention deficit hyperactivity stay organized and focused and is crucial to the child's emotional well being and academic success. The time before school should allow time for the child to take any medications needed and eat breakfast to ensure the school day begins with the child ready to focus and work. The family should have a schedule that allows the child time to travel to school without rushing. A calm environment is very important for the hyperactive child. If the family focuses on a daily schedule and stays organized the child will start each day in a focused and calm way.

Before the school year starts check with the doctor to ensure that all prescriptions are up to date. Then once school starts contact your child's teacher and discuss the diagnosis of ADHD. Inform the teacher to please contact you if any disruptive behavior arises and to keep you posted on academic progress. Get to know your child's teacher so that she or he may serve as a resource for your child to obtain the best educational experience that year.

Ask the teacher and guidance counselor what sort of accommodations might be made to help your child achieve to their potential. Also find out if there are any study aids or equipment they recommend. Get a list of the books that will be read throughout the year and try to start them a bit early at home so your child feels comfortable with the book once it is used in class.

Talk to your child regularly throughout the school year about the importance of focusing on work and following all school rules. Make it clear to your child that it is very important to you that children make their best effort in school. As the year progresses compliment your child on their hard work.

At least 3 times a week ask your child to see their notebook. Keep watch over your child's daily work in school by checking their notes at home in the evening and sitting with them while homework is done. Show them through your attention that school is important and that you value hard work.

You may find weekly or monthly rewards effective for motivating your child to focus on schoolwork. The reward could be as simple as a new pen to use in school or as fancy as a new computer. Small treats throughout the year give the child a sense of accomplishment and pride.

The child with ADHD typically just needs some strategies to use to have a good school day. Help your child get organized before bed for the next morning and start every day with the routine of a hug and a good breakfast to start the day off in a positive way.

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