Communicating about Homework

Children with ADHD often have trouble with homework. It is important to identify these problems early, should they occur, in order to address them in a timely manner.

For example, a child with ADHD may:

• Forget to write down homework assignments
• Forget to bring home the books and other materials they need to complete their homework
• Become distracted and not finish their homework, or manage to produce homework that is complete but careless and full of mistakes
• Forget to hand in assignments once they are back at school

To help a child with ADHD, try the following:

• Find a method to communicate directly with the child’s teacher about homework
• Identify a “study buddy” among the child’s classmates, who can be contacted from home by email or phone for missing information about homework
• Use a checklist or “to do” list to encourage the child as they progress through daily homework tasks: Click here for a homework planner you can print and fill out
• For younger children, use a rhyme or song to help them remember daily tasks surrounding homework:
  • Unpack the backpack
  • Work on table, not the floor
  • Pack up the backpack
  • Put backpack back by the door

Click here for a list of Top 10 Tips on homework

Click here for a diary that helps you track a child’s progress at school and at home