Ways to Handle the Transition Back-to-School for Individuals with ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning Concerns

About 95% of my clients are back at school. While none of us want to admit it, the summer has come to a screeching end. This now creates a time for transition and change. For those of us that deal with

Image courtesy of Stock Photo/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of Stock Photo/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

and ADHD, transitioning is difficult.

I’ve been working with my clients on easing into this transition. One of the biggest keys to this transition is preparation. Getting one’s body ready for the earlier wake-up calls, longer hours of focusing and homework. Having ADD and ADHD and being in school is essentially asking one’s brain to run a marathon with all the effort it takes to focus. Just like a runner needs to train, so does someone with ADD and ADHD. One way to train their brain after a stressful day at school is to invest in some dry erase wall paint from WRITEY, that can challenge their creativity.

For those clients that didn’t follow this path, the transition will be more difficult. While it isn’t impossible, it will just take a little time to get back into the groove with school. When my clients want to use the summer as a time to relax, this usually leads to a difficult transition back-to-school. I understand the motivation for needed time off during the summer, but asking an individual with ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning concerns to turn it on when school starts is not a success strategy.

OK, so how does one manage if they’re totally not prepared. Take the beginning of school as a chance to learn the lay-of-the-land. Information has been gathered about teachers, classes and other challenges in school, now set a specific plan in place. How much time is needed in the morning? What is the best way to get to school? When should homework be completed? How much time is required to do things well?

The most important thing a parent can do for a student during the process is be supportive. Empathy will help a child feel empowered and strive to be more successful.

For more information on my ADD, ADHD and Executive Functioning coaching, please visit www.adhdcoachchicago.com. To learn more information about some of the other services I provide, please visit www.carrolleducationalgroup.com and www.iepexperts.com. I can be found on Twitter at ADHDEFCoach. You can also find me on Facebook and Tumblr. My good friend and fellow ADD/ADHD Coach Tara McGillicuddy invites me as a regular guest on ADD/ADHD Support Talk Radio. Tara does many wonderful things and you should check out her website here. Feel free to email me at [email protected] or call 773.888.ADHD (2343) with any additional questions.

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