If your child has ADHD, you may feel a sense of dread or frustration at the mere mention of homework. Most likely, this is a challenging time in your household and you may not be sure why or how to handle it.
Here’s why homework can be incredibly frustrating for children with ADHD, and how to handle it as a parent or aide.
Why is Homework Frustrating for Children with ADHD?
First things first, why is homework such a challenging part of the day for children with ADHD?
Issues Retaining Information
Children with ADHD may have thoughts that race much more quickly than they can voice them. Meaning that they may have assignments that ask them to explain concepts, historic events, etc. While they may very well understand the task, it may be hard to organize and articulate their thoughts on the subject.
Their responses may be incomplete or simply wrong because they are trying to get their thoughts down on paper as fast as possible. ADHD can also affect memory as well, so retaining information can be difficult overall.
Feeling Defeated
If your child is not doing well in school to start with, homework can be another reminder of their struggles and cause them to lose confidence. They may believe that they won’t do well no matter how long they spend on their homework, which could cause them to rush or become very frustrated.
Poor Time Management and Organization
Issues with both time management and organization can be common problems in kids with ADHD. When your child comes home with multiple homework assignments, they may not know how much time to spend on each assignment or how to plan out their evening of homework.
Also, they may put all of their focus into one specific task and then not have the energy to handle any more work.
Dealing with Developmental Disabilities
Lastly, children with ADHD often have developmental disabilities as well, such as dyscalculia or dyslexia. Compounded, these can cause additional frustration, fatigue, and inability to complete the homework.
How to Handle Homework Frustrations for Children with ADHD
Now let’s get into how to handle homework frustrations for those with ADHD. Here are our top suggestions.
Choose the Best Time of Day for Homework
First things first, consider your child’s specific after-school routine and choose the best time to start homework based on their wants and needs. Some kids may do better by starting their assignments right after they get home. Other children may have an easier time after dinner, playtime, etc.
Schedule Breaks
Either you or your child’s aide should stay nearby to monitor your child’s progress. If there is obvious frustration or distraction, it may be time for a break. To stick to a rigid schedule, consider creating specific break times to keep your child motivated.
Consider a Reward System
If you utilize reward systems for your kid, it may be a good idea to consider this for homework time. Whether it’s additional TV time, a special meal, a sweet treat, etc. consider what motivates your child and have a discussion with them about what needs to be done to earn that reward.
Listen to Your Child
Last but most importantly, make sure to communicate with your child about the issues they are having with homework specifically. Discuss what they think would make the process easier, and stay patient if they become overly frustrated.
If the task becomes too overwhelming and you sense a meltdown or excessive frustration, it may be time for an additional break or conversation. Listening to your child will make all the difference when it comes to navigating a high-stress situation.
Looking for more resources on children with ADHD? We can help! Here is a great tool to get you started.