If your child has ADHD, here are some tips to preparing for the return to school:
- Work to resume school sleep schedule sooner than later: it can be very hard to get back to those earlier bedtimes after getting to stay up with the daylight over summer break. Start by waking your child 30-60 minutes earlier every few days until you are at school wake up time. Putting them to bed earlier will not make them sleepy if wake up time is not being adjusted.
- If they are taking medication but took a break over the summer, with the guidance of your medication clinician, restart these at least 2 weeks prior to school starting. This allows for assessment of tolerance and potential unwanted effects prior to them being in school. This also allows for adjusting for potential effects- such as dietary practices.
- Consider the changes in routine they may need- assistance in taking medication, more time in the mornings to get ready, different food options for lunch if they experience appetite changes with treatment, assistance in managing school obligations, getting more sleep.
- Communicate with teachers or school staff in terms of things you as parents may want to be made aware of: loss in focus, changes in behaviors, not eating, appearing tired, troubles staying organized.
- IEPs/504 plans: how will this information be distributed to staff and sub teachers, when will meetings take place.
- Adopt organizational tactics early: utilization of a zipped binder with color coded folders/notebooks for each subject, assignment books to review with parents/teachers, medications turned in to school nurse/administration notes turned in, plans for early dismissals and late starts in terms of medication administration, when will the nurse notify parents that supplies are running low.
- Before and after school routines: reminder boards with simple, concise instructions for independent tasks.
- Review safety protocols with children: who is allowed to pick them up, what is expected for travel to and from school, rules if the child is home or transporting without adult supervision.
Erin Hodgson, PMHNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner