Homework Tips: Question?

My son is eleven years old with ADHD. He doesn’t want to do his homework? How can I help him?

The best homework tips are based on finding ways to get the homework done in a way that doesn't feel like a hassle to your child. It's got to make sense to the child in one way or another. We are not looking for perfection here.

When your child does well reward his progress, and allow him to learn from his mistakes and setbacks. Set some new goals and move forward.

Academic rigor can take a toll on all kids when they are just focused on the outcome. Help them to learn to enjoy the process. Set up clear and simple steps to achieve each assignment. This builds confidence and good work habits.

Also allow your child to take breaks and look forward to some free time once the assignment is completed. Positive reinforcement is critical. Avoid overwhelm in your child by understanding your son’s specific learning style. Find enjoyable and meaningful activities that tap into your child’s natural strengths.

Most kids with ADHS find it challenging to sit still and do reading tasks. Employ active reading strategies such as color coding answers to questions, and creating questions with your child based on what he just read, encouraging him to come up with the key points and ideas from the literature.

Concentrate on developing basic skills with your son. Reading, math, writing, and computer skills can be worked on during the summer to build a strong foundation, which will make all schools subjects much easier and enjoyable to accomplish.

It’s understandable for kids to get frustrated when asked to transition from a day of academic rigor in school to refocus at home for additional schoolwork. Much of this work may be in areas of little interest to the child as well. It’s important for a child to release excess energy in fun activities, and also to engage in self selected learning experiences.

When a child is not given a balance of work and play, you end up with fights, power struggles, and a lot of crying and resistance. At that point the best homework tips will not be effective. ADHD behavior child modification strategies are necessary in some cases.

Communication between yourself and the school is critical. Your son should be included in the majority of this communication. This teaches your child how to communicate, and also he learns how to cope with and overcome challenges.

Learn what is expected of your child, and the exact purpose of the homework. It’s extremely important that your son achieves a level of success. You may be able to individualize an assignment based on your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Discuss all options and alternatives with his teacher.

Also once you understand what the assignment is about, make sure you have all the needed materials to get it done. If necessary, there are tutors available with special needs experience to help your child.

One strategy that I have found extremely helpful in my years of working with children with special needs was to set up a consistent routine for homework. Establish a specific time each day in a designated area of the home that is relatively distraction free. Establish some guidelines, review them with your child, and post them in selected area of the house.

I look forward that these homework tips will be beneficial. Family involvement is important, and has a positive effect on your son’s performance. The fact that you are supporting your child makes an enormous difference.

Kim Roche of Phoenix University studied the effect of a technology called InnerTalk or Whole Brain in 1993 with children diagnosed as having ADHD in a double-blind experiement. Her findings indicated a significant positive effect.

You are helping your son in establishing good study habits needed for transition to high school and college. Also any system put in place should be flexible, re-examined down the road, and any needed changes made.

Contact me if you need any clarification on any of these points.

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