Daily schedule for severe ADHD

[caitlinsmom]

What does your ADHD childs daily schedule look like? How do you break up their day/subjects?

My dd is 7 and has severe ADHD. We started doing school at night so that she can have our undivided attention and so that there are no distractions around. She is doing so much better. However, since my kids are generally not asleep until 8:30, Dd only has a short amount of time to work on her school before she herself is too tired to be productive.

I dont know what to do. I want her to get all of her work done without the distractions but there is no way she can be up till midnight. She can not concentrate on a task for more than 2 min if her brother and sisters are awake so during the day is pointless also.

I would appreciate any sort of ideas, schedules, etc from someone who has btdt or something similar.

Thanks!

[Laurie4b]

I'm assuming that you're asking for scheduling because you don't want to medicate her. You might do a search for "natural" on this board and you'll come up with several things that help concentration.

However, it sounds like things are too "busy" at your home to allow you to be with her one-on-one (a 2 year old and infant make that tough.) I would ask on the general board about 1) how to develop a quiet hour/naptime for your younger kids. You could school dd during that time and 2) what activities you can have available for your 2 year old and 5 year old. Grab those times to do heavy concentration things like reading instruction and math.

If you use a lot of hands-on instruction, it will help hold attention.

I've sat through a presentation from a school whose students are all ADD and they kept tasks to 15 min. at a time. One-on-one, you may find that you can go longer. However, what I would do is see how long she functions optimally and stop before she starts to tire out. So if you keep track and notice she focuses well for 10 minutes, but she begins to get antsy at about 12-15 minutes, stop at 10 minutes, give her a short break that incorporates either a protein snack or outside time or physical exercise, then back for 10 min.

[JennW in SoCal]

Before you start thinking of a schedule, perhaps you might consider what kind of school is essential for your 7yo. "School" for a special needs kiddo can be quite different from what you might be picturing -- it doesn't have to require seat work and filling out work sheets. By all means you should endeavor to continue giving your dd some focused time on math and her reading aloud to you, but most learning for a 7yo can come from other activities which can be done with younger siblings, and which don't look like school. It still is learning, though.

Here's what I did, and I've graduated a successful ADHD/Aspie...

math: manipulatives and games in addition to the more traditional Singapore math. We did all his formal math on a white board, sprawled on the living room floor, with me doing the writing and him dictating. Often he was sitting on a big exercise ball. Formal math was never more than 20 minutes, usually less. I think more is gained from 10-15 minutes of focus. We read books and picture books about math such as The Number Devil, or the Anno's picture books, he played Math Blasters on the computer. We used that white board all the way through high school, by the way.

Language Arts: I didn't worry about grammar and spelling too much during the younger years. It was part of our week, but only a small part. We played Mad Libs to start learning parts of speech, I gave some copy work as part of handwriting practice and we talked about punctuation or other matters. I didn't worry about writing, other than copy work, and hand writing practice until he was 11 or 12 -- really and truly -- and he turned into a fine writer. He did learn how to type at age 7, and once I started assigning narrations and essays he wrote everything on the computer -- and either stood to type (with a computer on a higher surface) or sat on the big exercize ball. I think we used sequential spelling starting when he was about 9 or 10, and I used a variety of grammar resources throughout middle school and high school.

Reading was the centerpiece of learning. We spent hours reading together and if I couldn't be there to read, they listened to audio books. We talked about everything we read, and read fiction and stacks of non-fiction books. My kids always had specific interests, so we'd read everything we could find on those interests. Through this reading they absorbed science and history and I helped them make connections through pulling out the globe or maps or looking up some fact or another on the internet. We went to the zoo or to museums every week and to the library. The kids had a table at their height stocked with markers, scissors, tape and reams of paper. I kept a journal through this period to list everything we did and it would reassure me that we they were indeed learning because there were so many wonderful books and activities we'd get through in a month.

My ds did much better with a routine, with checklists, and with a very organized space. I'm lousy at routines but the checklist I could handle. Think of your bottom line for the day and list it on a checklist, let your dd earn stickers for accomplishing each task. The reward that my ds loved was to get a special video to watch for the weekend, from the library or Blockbuster. It was a simple, inexpensive way to keep him doing the little bit I expected from him. I know organization is impossible with 4 young kids -- I probably shouldn't even mention it!!!

We had to put the dog in a room far away from where my ds worked during his brief, focused school time, otherwise he would never concentrate. And he did best doing school work in the most boring room of the house -- the dining room, sitting on that big exercise ball.

Hope something in this long and meandering post is helpful!

[CalicoKat]

I was just reading about setting a 10-15 minute timer for my ADHDer to learn to sit quiet and do work. If she's unable to sit quietly & work for 10 minutes, maybe do 7, 5, or whatever it is. Sloooowly build it up. Don't forget to give her a minute after the timer goes off to stand up and woop it up for until the 1 minute timer goes off.

We did this today during math time and she got it done. Of course I realize this will only work for a few days before I need to shake it up again. But hey, it's a relief for me today.

I'd also put a limit on how long school work goes on during the day. It only wears you out. Say from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. work in 10 minute increments, 7 work + 3 min ADHD.

:grouphug:

[scrapbookbuzz]

Wow, these are great reminders for me, too! That might explain why my dd has hit a wall when it comes to math. She knows the material but is constantly getting answers wrong. I think we need to go back to 15 minute increments.

[Geo]

Before you start thinking of a schedule, perhaps you might consider what kind of school is essential for your 7yo. "School" for a special needs kiddo can be quite different from what you might be picturing -- it doesn't have to require seat work and filling out work sheets. By all means you should endeavor to continue giving your dd some focused time on math and her reading aloud to you, but most learning for a 7yo can come from other activities which can be done with younger siblings, and which don't look like school. It still is learning, though.

Here's what I did, and I've graduated a successful ADHD/Aspie...

math: manipulatives and games in addition to the more traditional Singapore math. We did all his formal math on a white board, sprawled on the living room floor, with me doing the writing and him dictating. Often he was sitting on a big exercise ball. Formal math was never more than 20 minutes, usually less. I think more is gained from 10-15 minutes of focus. We read books and picture books about math such as The Number Devil, or the Anno's picture books, he played Math Blasters on the computer. We used that white board all the way through high school, by the way.

Language Arts: I didn't worry about grammar and spelling too much during the younger years. It was part of our week, but only a small part. We played Mad Libs to start learning parts of speech, I gave some copy work as part of handwriting practice and we talked about punctuation or other matters. I didn't worry about writing, other than copy work, and hand writing practice until he was 11 or 12 -- really and truly -- and he turned into a fine writer. He did learn how to type at age 7, and once I started assigning narrations and essays he wrote everything on the computer -- and either stood to type (with a computer on a higher surface) or sat on the big exercize ball. I think we used sequential spelling starting when he was about 9 or 10, and I used a variety of grammar resources throughout middle school and high school.

Reading was the centerpiece of learning. We spent hours reading together and if I couldn't be there to read, they listened to audio books. We talked about everything we read, and read fiction and stacks of non-fiction books. My kids always had specific interests, so we'd read everything we could find on those interests. Through this reading they absorbed science and history and I helped them make connections through pulling out the globe or maps or looking up some fact or another on the internet. We went to the zoo or to museums every week and to the library. The kids had a table at their height stocked with markers, scissors, tape and reams of paper. I kept a journal through this period to list everything we did and it would reassure me that we they were indeed learning because there were so many wonderful books and activities we'd get through in a month.

My ds did much better with a routine, with checklists, and with a very organized space. I'm lousy at routines but the checklist I could handle. Think of your bottom line for the day and list it on a checklist, let your dd earn stickers for accomplishing each task. The reward that my ds loved was to get a special video to watch for the weekend, from the library or Blockbuster. It was a simple, inexpensive way to keep him doing the little bit I expected from him. I know organization is impossible with 4 young kids -- I probably shouldn't even mention it!!!

We had to put the dog in a room far away from where my ds worked during his brief, focused school time, otherwise he would never concentrate. And he did best doing school work in the most boring room of the house -- the dining room, sitting on that big exercise ball.

Hope something in this long and meandering post is helpful!


FWIW, I'm gettin' a big 'ol exercise ball for my boy...tomorrow!

Geo

[JennW in SoCal]

Just so you know -- there will be a brief period where the silliness of sitting on the exercise ball makes it seem like a stupid idea, but once the novelty wears off, it works like a charm. Something about how it keeps the fidgety part of the brain busy, freeing up the thinking part (like my scientific terminology?!)

[caitlinsmom]

Before you start thinking of a schedule, perhaps you might consider what kind of school is essential for your 7yo. "School" for a special needs kiddo can be quite different from what you might be picturing -- it doesn't have to require seat work and filling out work sheets. By all means you should endeavor to continue giving your dd some focused time on math and her reading aloud to you, but most learning for a 7yo can come from other activities which can be done with younger siblings, and which don't look like school. It still is learning, though.

Here's what I did, and I've graduated a successful ADHD/Aspie...

math: manipulatives and games in addition to the more traditional Singapore math. We did all his formal math on a white board, sprawled on the living room floor, with me doing the writing and him dictating. Often he was sitting on a big exercise ball. Formal math was never more than 20 minutes, usually less. I think more is gained from 10-15 minutes of focus. We read books and picture books about math such as The Number Devil, or the Anno's picture books, he played Math Blasters on the computer. We used that white board all the way through high school, by the way.

Language Arts: I didn't worry about grammar and spelling too much during the younger years. It was part of our week, but only a small part. We played Mad Libs to start learning parts of speech, I gave some copy work as part of handwriting practice and we talked about punctuation or other matters. I didn't worry about writing, other than copy work, and hand writing practice until he was 11 or 12 -- really and truly -- and he turned into a fine writer. He did learn how to type at age 7, and once I started assigning narrations and essays he wrote everything on the computer -- and either stood to type (with a computer on a higher surface) or sat on the big exercize ball. I think we used sequential spelling starting when he was about 9 or 10, and I used a variety of grammar resources throughout middle school and high school.

Reading was the centerpiece of learning. We spent hours reading together and if I couldn't be there to read, they listened to audio books. We talked about everything we read, and read fiction and stacks of non-fiction books. My kids always had specific interests, so we'd read everything we could find on those interests. Through this reading they absorbed science and history and I helped them make connections through pulling out the globe or maps or looking up some fact or another on the internet. We went to the zoo or to museums every week and to the library. The kids had a table at their height stocked with markers, scissors, tape and reams of paper. I kept a journal through this period to list everything we did and it would reassure me that we they were indeed learning because there were so many wonderful books and activities we'd get through in a month.

My ds did much better with a routine, with checklists, and with a very organized space. I'm lousy at routines but the checklist I could handle. Think of your bottom line for the day and list it on a checklist, let your dd earn stickers for accomplishing each task. The reward that my ds loved was to get a special video to watch for the weekend, from the library or Blockbuster. It was a simple, inexpensive way to keep him doing the little bit I expected from him. I know organization is impossible with 4 young kids -- I probably shouldn't even mention it!!!

We had to put the dog in a room far away from where my ds worked during his brief, focused school time, otherwise he would never concentrate. And he did best doing school work in the most boring room of the house -- the dining room, sitting on that big exercise ball.

Hope something in this long and meandering post is helpful!

Thank you for this post! I read it yesterday and have pondered it since. You have given me some great ideas. Yesterday I wanted to see if dd really was struggling in math as much as it appears she is. So for my dinner I "purchased" everthing from her. I called out different numbers and had her add and subtract them (double digits, 3 or more facts, skip counting), all while she was doing her dance steps, playing with a car, and walking in circles around the island. She nailed every single problem with barely any hesitation. I am going to pull out the yoga ball today for the rest of her subjects.

Thank you all for the suggestions.

[Evergreen Academy]

I too have a very wiggly ds, 7 next week. He is prone to "zoning out" in his seat during seatwork, or hopping up and doing a dance, wandering away, etc. 15 minute work-sessions are biggies for him, and I've been trying to make sure his work fits his learning style. For example, certain workbooks (not my favorite teaching mode) are great for him because he is such a visual learner. He loves the Spectrum reading workbook with Little Critter - not WTM by a longshot but hey, he reads, he writes, it works. He loves ETC workbooks. He loves having a timer set to see how much he can get done. He does well with copywork too. Math...not so much, we are working on that, but he does much better with flashcards than with sitting and looking at his workbook. He does two subjects in the morning and then can have snack, then a bit more work. Perhaps your little one could do some scattered 15-minute work sessions during the day, with playtime and exercise in between as motivation/sanity savers!

Some things I've found that help ds focus: no nitrates or artificial colors; a brisk bike ride or walk every morning before school; regular meals and snacks; an exercise disc to sit on (we call it his wiggle seat); early bedtime; keeping the big kids calm around him. If we had littles, it would be all over, LOL, so I feel for you!

A good friend recently reminded me (during an SOS phone call I'd placed) that sometimes playdough, watercolors, hearing good stories read aloud and playing outside are just what a child this age is supposed to be doing.
Blessings,
Aimee
mom to 6 great kids ages 6-19, schooling grades 1, 3, 3 and 6

[transientChris]

There was no way my two adhders would have done as well as they did without medication. My severaly ADHD girl is doing so well with medication that no one ever thinks she is ADHD if she doesn't tell them or see her without medication. Without medication, she scores very poorly and can;t remember anything. With medication, she is in the top 10% of any kind of achievement test she takes and is definitely in the top 10% of the homeschoolers she has encountered.

[sheryl]

Just so you know -- there will be a brief period where the silliness of sitting on the exercise ball makes it seem like a stupid idea, but once the novelty wears off, it works like a charm. Something about how it keeps the fidgety part of the brain busy, freeing up the thinking part (like my scientific terminology?!)

Before you start thinking of a schedule, perhaps you might consider what kind of school is essential for your 7yo. "School" for a special needs kiddo can be quite different from what you might be picturing -- it doesn't have to require seat work and filling out work sheets. By all means you should endeavor to continue giving your dd some focused time on math and her reading aloud to you, but most learning for a 7yo can come from other activities which can be done with younger siblings, and which don't look like school. It still is learning, though.

Here's what I did, and I've graduated a successful ADHD/Aspie...

math: manipulatives and games in addition to the more traditional Singapore math. We did all his formal math on a white board, sprawled on the living room floor, with me doing the writing and him dictating. Often he was sitting on a big exercise ball. Formal math was never more than 20 minutes, usually less. I think more is gained from 10-15 minutes of focus. We read books and picture books about math such as The Number Devil, or the Anno's picture books, he played Math Blasters on the computer. We used that white board all the way through high school, by the way.

Language Arts: I didn't worry about grammar and spelling too much during the younger years. It was part of our week, but only a small part. We played Mad Libs to start learning parts of speech, I gave some copy work as part of handwriting practice and we talked about punctuation or other matters. I didn't worry about writing, other than copy work, and hand writing practice until he was 11 or 12 -- really and truly -- and he turned into a fine writer. He did learn how to type at age 7, and once I started assigning narrations and essays he wrote everything on the computer -- and either stood to type (with a computer on a higher surface) or sat on the big exercize ball. I think we used sequential spelling starting when he was about 9 or 10, and I used a variety of grammar resources throughout middle school and high school.

Reading was the centerpiece of learning. We spent hours reading together and if I couldn't be there to read, they listened to audio books. We talked about everything we read, and read fiction and stacks of non-fiction books. My kids always had specific interests, so we'd read everything we could find on those interests. Through this reading they absorbed science and history and I helped them make connections through pulling out the globe or maps or looking up some fact or another on the internet. We went to the zoo or to museums every week and to the library. The kids had a table at their height stocked with markers, scissors, tape and reams of paper. I kept a journal through this period to list everything we did and it would reassure me that we they were indeed learning because there were so many wonderful books and activities we'd get through in a month.

My ds did much better with a routine, with checklists, and with a very organized space. I'm lousy at routines but the checklist I could handle. Think of your bottom line for the day and list it on a checklist, let your dd earn stickers for accomplishing each task. The reward that my ds loved was to get a special video to watch for the weekend, from the library or Blockbuster. It was a simple, inexpensive way to keep him doing the little bit I expected from him. I know organization is impossible with 4 young kids -- I probably shouldn't even mention it!!!

We had to put the dog in a room far away from where my ds worked during his brief, focused school time, otherwise he would never concentrate. And he did best doing school work in the most boring room of the house -- the dining room, sitting on that big exercise ball.

Hope something in this long and meandering post is helpful!


Jenn, WOW! Thanks for sharing that. I can tell you have good sense! Kudos to ya! Sheryl

[OneRoomSchoolHouse]

I have a 8 yr old as well as a 2 & 3 yr old. We ONLY do school during nap/quiet time. Ds(2) still naps, so when he goes down for a nap I allow the 3 yr old to either sit silently at the table doing preschool work, or to watch a movie in another room. This leaves dd(8) and I in completely silence and works very well. Every now and then we school on the weekends when dh is home to entertain the littles and he usually keeps them outside so we can have silence in the house.