If you and your ADHD child have made a resolution to get organized for the New Year, there are a number of things to do to ensure you achieve your goal. Using small strategies, such as color-coding books and files, drawing up a calendar, and having regular clean-outs are all good organization tips for students with ADHD.
Use Color to Its Full Effect
An easy way to help your child stay organized and keep school subject matter separate is to color code. For example, anything to do with math may be colored green, history documentation could be purple, and geography, orange. All book covers, files, file dividers and notebooks need to be the color related to the subject; if you can't find stationery supplies in the appropriate colors, use big colored stickers to mark items. This makes it simple for your child to pick out what is needed for school or home each day.
Make a Joint Calendar
Work with your child to draw up a calendar of weekly and monthly deadlines and activities. This gives your child a visual aid to help remember what's happening when. The discussions at the beginning of the week or the day before about each item also serve as an auditory reminder. Be sure to include your own activities on the calendar so that your child knows when you'll be available to offer help with homework if needed.
Crossing items that are successfully concluded off a calendar gives your child a great sense of satisfaction, which is a good method of encouragement. If you and your child are technically inclined, make use of a calendar app that you can synchronize to keep your schedules up to date and coordinated.
Have Regular Clear-Outs
It's important that your child have regular clear-outs of belongings and school supplies; the longer this is neglected, the more difficult it becomes to tackle the task. If your child's locker at school is chaotic, resulting in lost assignments and missing sport equipment, encourage your child to either tidy the locker weekly or bring everything home so you can sort through it together. The same goes for the work space at home: a disorganized desk is not conducive to productive work.
Draw Up New Year Organizational Resolutions Together
ADHD and resolutions to get organized may seem incompatible, but are possible. Work together when drawing up the pledges, and get plenty of input from your child. If your child with ADHD has caught the vision of organization and realizes it'll make life easier, half the battle is won.
If you suspect your child has ADHD or has already been diagnosed with ADHD, contact us online or find a center near you to learn more about how the Brain Balance Program can help.
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