You can’t go to school with your child, but you can help prepare them for success by enforcing some habits and behaviors at home.

1. Write a letter to or schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher. Start the school year off on the right foot and either write a letter to your child’s teacher that gives them some background about their ADHD or meet them, in person to go over the information. Explain his or her symptoms and offer some ideas of what accommodations have help your child in the past.
2. Look into tutoring options. Having a little extra help with schoolwork can make all the difference for your child. If his homework is frequently incomplete or he’s having trouble understanding, a regular one-on-one help session can keep him on track. Some schools and local libraries have free after school tutoring programs, or you could look into private tutors online or advertised in the local paper. Your child’s teacher might have some recommendations too, so check with them. Some younger kids have success working with high school students that they can build a strong personal relationship with.
3. Make good friends. Talk to your child about what being a good friend means. Practice social skills like making eye contact and not interrupting. Schedule some small play dates with kids in the neighborhood or in your child’s class early in the year. Don’t hover but be ready to intervene if your kid picks a fight or is acting mean.
4. Find a hobby. Honing skills outside of the classroom will build up your child’s confidence and relationships. Hobbies can also act as positive channels for pent up emotional and physical energy that might otherwise be expressed as aggression. Creative hobbies like painting, drawing, writing, acting, and music are all good ways for your child to get in touch with their emotions and explore their feelings. More physical outlets like jumping on a trampoline or with a jump rope, going for a jog, or playing a sport can also let off excess energy.
5. Set an after school schedule- and stick to it. A structured routine helps kids feel safe and secure. Kids with ADHD thrive in predictability. A regular schedule will help you and your child feel more relaxed. Here’s an example of a solid after school routine: