For children with ADHD, problems can begin when they start primary school.

They may find it hard to do homework, listen to the teacher or focus on tasks. Sometimes they may distract other children too.

Before this age, ADHD often goes undetected in children because attentional or hyperactive traits aren’t noticeably different from the behaviour of most pre-schoolers.

For this reason, children don't usually get an official ADHD diagnosis until ages 5-12.

Even if your child hasn’t received a diagnosis, it's important to let their school know about their emotional, physical and learning needs. Otherwise, your child may feel misunderstood and judged by their classmates and teachers.

Six things to let your child’s school know

1. Update them on your child’s ADHD diagnosis and any key parts of their treatment plan such as medication, recommended behavioural strategies and times when your child may be absent from school for counselling or therapy.

2. Make sure they update your child’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) if using one.

3. Consider giving them an information sheet about ADHD and schooling.

4. If your child is hyperactive, ask if the teacher can give them regular breaks to run around and let off steam. Some kids learn better when they’re allowed to stand up and jiggle from foot to foot. The teacher might give them a task like taking a notice to the school office.

5. If your child is inattentive, they may need tasks broken down into more manageable chunks and be allowed extra time for homework and tests. Teachers should check in with them to make sure they understood the task and be prepared to patiently go over it again with them if necessary. Visual diaries, reminders and routines can all be helpful. Timers can also help a child monitor how much time they have left to finish a task.

6. Children with ADHD usually work better if the task matches their interest, so encourage this whenever possible.

Above all, make sure the teachers know that your child isn’t being deliberately naughty. While it can seem like a hyperactive or inattentive child isn’t trying, they are – they just need help to manage their behaviour and emotions.

Keep in regular contact with the school so that, together, you can positively and productively work in your child’s best interests.

ADHD websites to check out

• ADHD New Zealand www.adhd.org.nz

• ADHD in children (Mental Health Foundation)

• ADHD – Aroreretini (Kids Health)

• ADHD and learning (TKI: Te Kete Ipurangi Inclusive Education)

• ADHD – ways to help children at school and home (Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne)

• Parenting Framework (Thriving with ADHD – AUS)

• About ADHD – Overview (from CHADD, the national resource on ADHD – USA)

‍

From the IHC Library

Articles (available on request or can be viewed online)

Video

Or if there’s something else you’re looking for, please reach out to the IHC library for a chat on 0800 442 442 or email librarian@ihc.org.nz