The last thing most children want to do after school is deal with homework, and this is equally true for a child with ADHD in school. After trying to focus all day on classwork and teachers, the ADHD child usually comes home to relax and escape stress. If you are the parent of a child with ADHD, homework time may be more enjoyable after you help set up a system for successful homework completion.

While children may not like homework, they still needs consistency and routine for everything. The first step for you as a parent is to schedule a specific time for getting homework done. Depending on the situation, it may be best to dive into homework right after school, or you may want to wait a bit so your child can take a breather after school. Talk with your child about what time of day is best for homework and agree on a fixed schedule.

Next, it’s time to set up a good area for homework. Most ADHD children study best in a clean area that’s free of distractions. Some ADHD children might need complete silence; others may appreciate some light, lyric-free music in the background.

Many ADHD children work better when the study periods are broken up into more than one session. In this case, you can schedule an hour of homework, a break for eating or resting, and then another hour before bed. Since ADHD children are known to have trouble sleeping, it puts their mind at ease when they go to bed assured that their homework is completed.

One other tip that may help your child is finding out if the school will allow your child to keep a set of schoolbooks at home. That way, your child won’t have to deal with the worry of bringing home the correct books. It’s also very helpful if teachers set up a website for parents to check on what assignments are due each day. Another advantage for ADHD children is books on tape. Hearing the words and reading along is often a better way for the ADHD child to absorb information.

With the proper tools, a homework routine, and parental guidance, ADHD children will learn valuable skills that they can utilize in their careers. Children may grumble about homework at first, but completing homework every day is a true ADHD self-esteem booster, showing the the child that he or she is capable of doing a great job.