Helping ADHD Teens Manage Responsibilities
As beach days fade and crisp fall air slowly sets in, we find ourselves back in the school routine. Whether this means coordinating carpools or marking the calendar for curriculum night for parents, our teens are now faced with an increase in responsibilities. Parents may be faced with the challenge of ensuring that their teen is keeping up with homework and coursework. For some parents of ADHD children, this may feel like pulling teeth. FPC Therapist Kerry A. Simizon, MHC-LP offers the following advice to help make back-to-school transition less of a battle.
Understanding the ADHD Teen’s Struggle
It’s important to first point out that ADHD teens may have challenges transitioning into the school year. Often they simply don’t remember how they successfully completed a task from the last time they were faced with it. We also should consider that they may be more focused on the solution rather than problem-solving. As these two factors create barriers for keeping up with courses, we can help our teens by implementing some simple interventions.
Strategies for Academic Success
Prioritizing time-sensitive tasks first is a helpful place to start when the workload becomes overwhelming. Teens may also benefit from prioritizing the most challenging task first because this likely requires the most focus and energy. Depending on motivation levels, parents may choose to help teens explore their incentives, i.e., Will completing this task mean there will be a reward? Will it bring personal gain?
Breaking Down Assignments into Manageable Steps
Breaking down assignments to manageable steps can make initiating tasks less intimidating. With focus in mind, it’s important to make sure that all materials are ready for use and that distractions are set aside. Our teens may need frequent breaks or time to stretch, so try using timers or alarms to account for these needs. Setting small goals for each time increment can also be encouraging, however, it’s alright if tasks take longer than expected. Preparation and structure can be frustrating for our ADHD teens, but these skills are transferable and may aid in future success.
Encouraging Growth Through Support
It may take some trial and error to figure out what works for each student, but connecting with your teen as an ally and supporting them through frustration can help foster growth. Meeting goals may take encouragement, persistence, and collaboration. When you find yourself celebrating your teen’s progress and success, the journey will feel very worthwhile.
