Helping kids with ADHD
Kids with ADHD struggle with focus, hyperactivity, and schedules. To help them excel in school, it’s especially important for them to keep a consistent routine, limit screen time, and get a good night’s sleep.

Kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with focus, hyperactivity, and schedules.  To help them excel in school, it's especially important for them to keep a consistent routine, limit screen time, and get a good night's sleep.

Since kids with ADHD are more likely to get distracted, they can have a harder time remembering to get tasks done.  A consistent routine helps them stay on track.  Write out and display a "daily routine" chart somewhere that's easy for your child to see.  Make sure it includes tasks your child must complete every morning—such as brushing teeth and hair, washing his or her face, and changing clothes—before heading out the door.  And have a second one for evenings. Include things such as organize and prepare backpack for school, confirm homework is in a folder inside the backpack, and pick out clothes for the next day.  Repeating the same behaviors every day can help kids with ADHD stick to successful morning and evening routines.

Children and teens with ADHD tend to spend more time in front of screens than other kids.  Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation for kids 2–5 years old, and limit media exposure to one hour or less of high-quality programming.  For older kids, screen time shouldn't get in the way of other responsibilities, such as homework and time with the family.  Parents have to evaluate appropriate screen-time limits for their school-age kids on an individual basis.  And set up a "screen-free zone" in your house where everyone agrees to avoid TVs, cell phones, tablets, game consoles, and laptops.  Instead, funnel your child's energy into exercise by playing outside or being involved in sports teams.  Aerobic exercise especially can help reduce inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

Bedtime routines can help kids with ADHD improve their sleeping patterns.  Establish and maintain a set bedtime.  Consider removing all media and screens from your child's bedroom.  Limit kids' sugar intake, especially around bedtime so they can easily head off to dreamland.