Time management, doing all his steps, going back and forth between school and home… Even though it seems like we are always behind them, they want it as much as anyone! With a few good strategies, you can help your ADD/ADHD child become more organized (a little without you!)
With my daughter, a simple brushing of teeth can be epic. She talks to herself while staring at her reflection in the mirror, makes a few faces… Getting through a daily routine can be a marathon, but it can be done a little better!
I am Jessica Rousseau, Special Education Technician and Family Coach for MamanÉducatrucs. I will give you some tips to make your family’s daily life easier.
Routine and organization: What tips and tools to use?
-
Illustrate or write down as many steps as possible that will remind them at a glance what to do: in the morning, to go to school, at night, in the bath, etc. If possible, have them take an action that commits them to their routine. Have them check off the completed step, move a pictogram, press a small bell, etc.
-
Make time measurable and visual by using an hourglass, a timer, a Time Timer.
-
We structure a task by giving a time limit for completion. You have 15 minutes in the bathroom for your routine. After that, finished or not, it’s someone else’s turn.
-
We motivate them with a challenge to mobilize them for a given time. They’re daydreaming as they look at the illustrations in their reading booklet, and it’s taking them a long time? Give them a challenge! In less than 10 minutes, we will have read the entire booklet, are you up for it?
-
We get around their resistance by setting benchmarks. I know sweetheart that you don’t like to do math, but I’m going to ask you to work on it for 10 minutes and then we’re done.
-
We help them organize their time by displaying the time they have left. Breakfast time in the morning is 20 minutes, then we clear the table.
-
Leave a comment