Back-2-School can be a challenging time for both parents and students. But for families living with ADHD it can be particularly difficult. One of the often overlooked facts about this is that it doesn’t go away after elementary, middle, or even high school. Families dealing with ADHD often struggle with the challenges of Back-2-School throughout their school career, including college. What follows are 7 things that will help you survive the Back-2-School season and even get ahead! (These are written for parents, but can be very easily adapted for the student or even the teacher)
1. Plan for the first day of school. Start talking about it early. People living with ADHD function much better if they know what’s coming and there are no surprises.
2. Have positive conversations. Given the creative imaginations of people with ADHD, they can often imagine some incredibly bad first days of school. Keep things lighthearted and focused on the fun you’ll have.
3. Encourage them and their ability to make friends. People with ADHD can sometimes have trouble in social situations and making/keeping friends. They often overlook important social cues, making them appear bossy or insensitive to those who don’t understand them.
4. Have all supplies ready before the first day of school. Let the student get comfortable with the new supplies and become familiar with the organizational system they will use next year.
5. If possible, meet with the teacher before the start of the school year. This again calms the stress of points 1 and 3.
6. Remind them that they are smart! Students with ADHD can get so much criticism from well-meaning teachers and stressed-out professors that they begin to doubt themselves. Don’t let this happen. Encourage your sensitive student to excel and adopt her brain style!
7. Have fun! Keep conversations and preparations for the first day of school light and proactive. Talk about it often. Plan clothing, breakfast and lunch, even what they’ll do at recess. The less they know about it, the more confident they will feel as they enter their new grade with new teachers and new friends.
With these tips, embrace the new school year. Sometimes we anticipate stress that we KNOW is coming and actually end up creating it! As parents, there are so many things we need to do and put up with, and staying calm and positive, even when our kids are getting on edge, is on that list. But I promise you it will make a difference.