How to Homeschool a Child With ADHD

Many parents are turning to homeschooling. This can be a wonderful experience for any child, but for a child with ADHD, this can really be the answer! Fewer distractions and more one-on-one time, plus the fact that you can tailor your child's education to meet his needs often gives a child with ADHD a higher chance of success. Although it can be extremely challenging for the parent, it is highly rewarding for both the child and the parent.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Understanding
• Flexibility

1. It is important to have a routine. However, with an ADHD child, it is just as important to be flexible. Keep to the routine as closely as possible, but allow a little flexibility for the times when your child just cannot concentrate.

2. Don't try to recreate a public school day. If that method worked for your child, you probably wouldn't be home schooling. Adjust your "school time" to fit your child's needs.

3. Give small assignments. Children with ADHD struggle to focus on long, drawn-out assignments. Break these down into assignments that your child can accomplish without getting frustrated.

4. Use lots of movement in your learning exercises. The greatest obstacle for a child with ADHD is sitting still. Use dances, songs and role-playing as learning tools. When reading to your child, let her play with playdough or blocks rather than trying to get her to sit still and listen. A child with ADHD can listen much better while performing a task that does not require full concentration. Another great tool is to let your child bounce on a small exercise trampoline while reviewing spelling words or memorizing facts. Or toss a ball back and forth with your child. For instance, if you are learning states and capitals, you say the state and toss the ball to your child, he says the capital and tosses the ball back to you.

5. Make learning fun. Children with ADHD love to explore! Utilize field trips, science projects and arts and crafts projects to stimulate your child's body as well as her mind.

6. Be patient! Most of the time, it takes a child with ADHD longer to complete tasks. Be patient and give your child enough time without the stress of being timed.

7. Take lots of small breaks. If an assignment is taking a long time or you sense that your child is becoming frustrated, take a break. Take a walk outside, or go to the kitchen for a snack. If your child asks questions about the assignment, discuss it with him. If he does not want to discuss the assignment, let him have a complete break from it.

8. You make the rules! Remember that you are in control of your child's education. There is no right way and no wrong way. Adjust your child's school day to meet the needs of the specific child.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be available to answer questions or help your child.
• Be patient.
• Be flexible.
• Praise your child often, even if he/she does not complete a task successfully. Offer praise for the effort your child displayed.
• Don't try to imitate a public school day. If it didn't work for you child in public school, it won't work at home.
• Don't berate your child for having difficulty in completing tasks.
• Don't compare your child's progress with the progress of other children.