Surviving ADHD at Home During COVID-19

This information is brought to you by the Vermont Department of Health. They conducted a survey among 24 Vermont school nurses regarding successful strategies parents had shared with at home schooling for children with ADHD. These are some of the ideas shared:

• Develop a daily structure and follow it regularly; set time limits and use timelines to complete projects; short breaks following 10-20 minutes of instruction. Include things like showering, getting dressed, brushing teeth, bedtime in routine. 
• Create visual schedules with your children and post them in plain sight.
• Having virtual sessions with the school counselor, behavioral interventionist. 
• Talking with PCP about medication.
• Connecting with friends via the internet.
• Getting outside for a walk.
• If both parents are home, take turns if possible.
• Focus on relationships.
• Hands on projects.
• Lowering your expectations.
• Being creative.
• Clear limits on screen time.
• Phone alarms to support medication regime.
• One parent had success making a desk right next to theirs.
• Setting up scheduled meal breaks,with low carb/sugar options as much as possible.
• Small trampoline as a study break. One parent had their child run around the house 3 times every 30 minutes. Scavenger hunt that was 50% outside. 
• Encouraged communication between PCP, school nurse, other team members. 

This website also has some great resources and ideas for parents: https://consciousdiscipline.com/covid-19-five-helpful-responses-for-families/?mc_cid=89fc7c1740&mc_eid=46a27bf706