10 Tips for Parents to help their children with ADD/ADHD from Oak Creek Ranch School’s Principal

April 7, 2011 - PRLog -- 1.   Create a consistent schedule and set of expectations for activity/behavior at home.  Keep to the schedule regardless of the opposition your child may have to adhering to the schedule and expectations.

2.   If your child is in Middle School or High School start a dialogue with them about what they are going to do to be successful.  Too often the adults try to take on the responsibilities of their child – give that responsibility back to the child and assist them in reaching their goals.

3.   Make mistakes (except the really big ones) blame free.  Life is full of mistakes. As long as we learn from them we are headed in the right direction.  Encourage your child to talk with you about what went wrong with their day and what they can do the next time to make it better.

4.   Talk with teachers in regards to issues like problems with homework.  Inform teachers if your child has to take more medication in the evening to focus on homework and what issues that causes the child; lack of sleep, having to take more pills to get to sleep and other issues.  Can homework be reduced?

5.   Arrange with other ADD or ADHD families to host study groups; take this opportunity to not only work on the academics but also the social issues.

6.   Talk with your child about the positive ways in which they contribute to the family, friends and school.  Leave an opening for their interests and assist them in providing opportunities to engage in their interests.

7.   Do weekly grades checks with the school and your child and assist your child to make short-term goals for the next week.  Keep goals simple and easy to accomplish.


8.   Don’t forget to say thank you for positive action by your child, their teachers, and the neighbors, and encourage your child to develop a thank you habit.

9.   Keep an extra set of textbooks at home.  Read aloud with your child and ask questions or create discussion when reading. Make homework active!

10.   Make physical play a consistent part of your child’s day.  (That means shut down the electronics!)

# # #

Founded in 1972, Oak Creek Ranch School is a private, fully accredited , college preparatory, co-ed boarding school near Sedona, Arizona. The school’s curriculum and programs are designed to help ADD/ADHD, under-motivated and underachieving teens ages 12 to 18 accomplish their academic goals while developing valuable social and interpersonal skills.
www.ocrs.com • Twitter @ocrsnews