As a teacher or parent, you know how difficult it is to get your kids to listen and focus. However, this is such an important skill for them to learn as it will help set them up for success. Many children with ADHD and autism, have an even more difficult time trying to focus in school.
Why?
There are so many students in a mainstream classroom with so much going on around them. They may also hear one thing or they may get diverted by a thought and hyperfocus on it. They could also feel overstimulated by their feelings, exhaustion and so much more.
Many children with ADHD and autism are able to focus when they’re away from distractions but when they’re surrounded by it, it serves as a deterrent.
So what can you do to help your kids focus?
Implement the three strategies mentioned in the Actionable Steps section of this article as a starting point alongside with the strategies outlined in the following articles:
- 5 Simple Ways to Support a Student with ADHD
- How to Support Students Who Have High Functioning Autism
- How to Support Students Who Have Mild Autism
- How to Support Students Who Have Low Functioning Autism
Actionable Steps:
#1. Decor
Far too many people love having big and grand items and colors in their class or at home. This serves as a distraction for children with ADHD and autism. Have a few items that you and your kids like but don’t go overboard with it.
For example, I’ve gotten rid of most of the bold colors I used to have up in my classroom and have opted for more earthy tones. At home, we have a lot of whites and dark blues. I do have a mango yellow room as it’s my happy color but beyond that, I keep the color palate simple so that my kids don’t get overstimulated.
#2. Visual Supports
Create a large visual schedule for your home or your classroom so that your kids can see what they need to do and the flow of the day.
Using the large version, create a smaller one for your child’s desk so that they have one that is close to them. This will serve as a mini checklist for them.
As well, depending on your child, take the mini visual schedule and create a rewards system to motivate your child to complete specific tasks. You can break this down into specific times of the day as well.
For an easy to put together visual schedule and reward system, CLICK HERE or on the following image.
#3. Mini Tasks
While it’s good to tell your child about the end goal or a big task, make sure to break it down into minute tasks after so that your child knows exactly what they need to do. When you do this, it not only allows your child with ADHD and autism to focus, but it also provides them with small wins, thereby helping motivate them to continue working.
This may seem difficult at first but once you implement it, you’ll get into the groove of it and it won’t seem like such a big deal. The following article, How to Help a Child with ADHD with Time Blindness, will help you create a system to break down a big task into small ones.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- Why it’s difficult for a child with ADHD or autism focus in school.
- Three ways to help a child with ADHD or autism focus in school: decor, visual supports, and mini tasks.
Free Resources:
If your children are struggling to hand in assignments on time, check out the following video training: 3 Steps to Teach Children How to Overcome Procrastination to Increase Productivity.
Next Steps:
For calm down areas on a budget, for your students who have autism, CLICK HERE.
You’re welcome to join us inside ADHD and Autism Self Regulation by CLICKING HERE or on the fallowing image.
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully. Since ADHD and autism are a spectrum, make sure to adapt these strategies for your individual child. Thank you!
