My Stepson Has ADHD and Struggles with School. Any Advice?
This post is part of a series where our team of child mental health professionals answer real questions submitted by readers like you. This post deals with issues related to ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and school. Please take care when reading.
One stepmom recently asked for insight about how to help her stepson be more successful at school. Here’s a response from Little Otter’s team of experts.
“My 8-year-old stepson was diagnosed with ADHD, ODD and anxiety at age 4 by his school district after being kicked out of daycare. He’s now in 2nd grade, and his school continues to have problems with him in the classroom. Do you have any tips for how I can help him be more successful at school?”
- L., Texas
Thank you for contacting Little Otter. We know how frustrating it can be when children struggle in the classroom setting, because it seems to be out of our control. It sounds like you are trying your best and reaching out to best support your stepson.
We do have a few recommendations that we hope will be helpful, with more in-depth guidance below:
Understand his diagnosis.
Leverage (or inquire about) an IEP or 504 plan at his school.
Try using a Daily Report Card.
First, it’s important to understand his diagnosis and how it impacts his schooling, especially ADHD.
Children with ADHD struggle with executive functioning skills. Executive function is usually referred to as the “brain boss,” because it is the part of the brain that is responsible for executing or completing tasks.
This is why children with ADHD commonly struggle with school; the trouble with executive function can make it difficult for them to focus, follow directions, organize their work areas and handle emotions effectively (among other things). Kiddos with ADHD are also likely to have co-morbid mental health disorders such as anxiety.
If you're interested in getting a second opinion on his diagnoses, we encourage you to seek out a mental health or psychological testing evaluation with a licensed mental health professional.
Our whole-family approach can help support every member of your family; after all, when one person in your family is struggling, it impacts everyone. In addition, your pediatrician is a great resource to help you find providers in your area.
Second, explore your IEP or 504 plan options.
Students with ADHD are often eligible for school-based services or accommodations under the “Other Health Impaired” category of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
If your stepson does not have an IEP or 504 plan in place, our recommendation is to inquire (in writing) with his school in order to put it in place.
This will help remove certain barriers and help him succeed in school. Partnering with your stepson's school is a key factor in helping address the behavior concerns and understand what they are seeing that they are struggling with.
For children with behavioral difficulties at school, the use of a Daily Report Card (DRC) is an effective strategy to promote target behaviors and improve home-school communication.
A DRC would provide your stepson with rewards at home for achieving specific behaviors at school. This way he is creating a connection between his performance in school and how that relates at home. This is a tool that also helps children feel successful and empowered to improve their behavior. It will also help improve his relationship with his teachers and with you.
Your step-son is so lucky to have you thinking about how to supporting him! At Little Otter, we are here to support your family in any way that can be helpful.
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