Providing
an Organized Workspace for the ADHD Child
 When
homework times rolls around, a cluttered or disorganized work
area may be daunting to the child with ADHD. The first order
of business in helping your ADHD child succeed in school is
creating a clean, calm area where your child is able to stay
on task. Here are some ways you can establish a favorable
workspace for your child so that he or she may have the best
chance at managing both ADHD
and homework:
- Provide assignment
notebooks and color-coded folders. By organizing each
class in a separate notebook and/or folder, it’s
easier for the ADHD child to keep everything straight.
- Help your child clean
out book bags, backpacks, and the work area every day.
Do not let things get out of hand before you sort through
them. Sit down with your child daily and organize paperwork
together.
- Have a place for everything.
Designate a space for filing, pencils, paper, pens, office
supplies, and so on.
- Offer several tools
in and around the workspace to keep track of time. The
workspace should include a clock, timer, calendar, weekly
assignment log, and white marker board.
- Find a sturdy notebook
or planner for your child to keep track of assignments,
needed materials, and other reminders or notes.
- Suggest that your child
compile a checklist of frequent mistakes such as punctuation
errors or mathematical miscalculations. The child can
use this list to proofread his or her own work.
As you can
see, the best workspace for the ADHD child is one that helps
the child cope with his or her symptoms of distractibility,
hyperfocus, and impulsivity.
Your child may need training in organizational skills for
several years before he or she develops good administrative
abilities.
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