ADHD
<p><b>Online learning for your ADHD child</b></p><p><b>Here’s how you can help!</b></p>
<p>The global pandemic that’s COVID-19 has meant a shift in work, school, and daily activities. Online learning is the new normal. While it may have been a progressive learning process for many, this learning system may not be favourable for your child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).</p>
<p>Virtual learning for you as a parent with a child with ADHD may be stressful, especially if it’s all new for you. A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity that affect attention, the ability to sit still, and have self-control. ADHD can affect a child at school, at home, and in friendships.</p>
<p>This chronic condition is a neurodevelopmental disorder commonly diagnosed in childhood. Some outgrow it but for others, it continues through adolescence and into adulthood. The disorder can make it hard for your child to behave appropriately and affects their social and emotional development, causes trouble paying attention, and controlling impulses.</p>
<p>Children with ADHD also struggle with "executive function skills" which is organising which tasks to start first, manage time and finishing a task.</p>
<p><b>Maintain schedules and routines</b></p>
<p>1.<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><b>Children with ADHD need structure.</b> </p>
<p>Maintaining their routines will increase chances to thrive. Maintain the following:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Bedtime routines.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Sleep schedules.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Wake up times.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Morning routines.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Meal schedules.</p>
<p>Make morning routines just like the times when your child goes to school. This will signal to your child that it’s time to get ready for the day. Lunch and snacks should be consistent with when they would eat at school. These routines will make it easy to adjust again when it’s time to go back to school.</p>
<p>2.<span style="white-space:pre;"> <b> </b></span><b>Continue all medications</b></p>
<p>It’s important to maintain medication schedules as though your child was in school.</p>
<p>3.<span style="white-space:pre;"> <b> </b></span><b>Exert control</b></p>
<p>Give your child a list of tasks and assignments to be completed during the day and allow them to choose which order they will complete them in. Provide your child with a schedule of the school day and have them note in which hour of the day they will complete each assignment. This will limit arguments between you and your child related to order of assignments while providing her with structure and predictability in their day.</p>
<p>4.<span style="white-space:pre;"> <b> </b></span><b>Include extra mural activities during the day</b></p>
<p>Including extra mural activities that your child would do during the day at school will give them a much-needed release in their day. You can find fun art activities, take a bike ride, or kick a soccer ball.</p>
<p>5.<span style="white-space:pre;"><b> </b></span><b>Provide a distraction-free environment</b></p>
<p>Set up a workstation for your child, make sure this space is clean and clutter-free. Everything should be neatly packed, at arm’s reach to avoid distractions and interruptions.</p>
<p>6.<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><b>Encourage movement and breaks</b></p>
<p>Make sure your child takes five-minute breaks at the end of each hour. Allow her to run around outside for a while. Don’t allow screen time during breaks.</p>
<p>7.<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span><b>Don’t fuss about fidgeting</b></p>
<p>Research shows that children with ADHD learn and focus better when allowed to fidget or squirm in their seats. This behaviour is often seen as problematic in the classroom because it creates distractions. With learning from home, you can allow your child the freedom to fidget and squirm as much as needed if they are focused and completing their work. This may help their ability to learn and be more accurate in their responses.</p>
<p><b>Be mindful</b></p>
<p>As this is all new to you, please remember it’s new for your child too and this will cause great anxiety. When children with ADHD are anxious, it may lead to a worsening of ADHD symptoms, including:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Poor focus.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Emotional meltdowns.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Difficulty completing tasks.</p>
<p>Be positive and praise your child. Encourage her to see what she’s doing right rather than focusing on the negatives. Make learning fun and set up a rewards-based system, like points or a sticker chart, where your child can earn rewards for completing tasks and keeping up good behaviour.</p>
