ADHD Blog

Does your child or teen spend too much time on homework? Do you find yourself worrying that he or she is going to bed too late or is overly stressed because the amount of homework he or she has is overwhelming? Well, you’re not alone. Complaints about homework seem to be at an all-time high, and relate to the quantity of homework (“He doesn’t have enough hours in the day to do all of this!”), the level of effort or skill required to complete homework (“This seems like a college-level assignment!”), and the age at which kids are starting to have homework (“How can he be expected to do that by himself?”). While national data show that the amount of homework assigned to kids of all ages has generally stayed flat over the past decade, and even decreased in some cases, the academic skills engaged during homework time have changed (e.g., increased emphasis on critical thinking, requirements to “show your work” on math assignments, etc.). As a result, homework may actually be more taxing today for kids with ADHD.  

In last week’s post I discussed how digital assistants, like Alexa, can help things run more smoothly at home when you have a child with ADHD. Digital assistants are developing rapidly, and already come with an impressive array of features and functions. Yet, as with all emerging technologies, parents should be on the lookout for unintended consequences that might crop up once they and their children start using the devices. With screen-free digital assistants, many of the pitfalls that come with tablet and phone-based technology are avoided. On the other hand, the language and style of speaking that we use to communicate with Alexa doesn’t match up with the way we talk with our partners, coworkers, and children. As adults, we can easily distinguish between a style of speech used with technology and a style of speech used with the people in our lives, but for young children and children of all ages who struggle with social interactions, this differentiation may not be intuitive.    

One of the most popular gifts of this past holiday season, according to CNN Money, was Amazon’s Echo Dot, featuring their digital assistant, Alexa. If you are one of the millions of people who recently brought Alexa into their home, then you are now learning that Alexa can do all kinds of things, from giving you the weather forecast to turning on the lights in your home or operating any number of Internet of Things connected devices. If you have a child with ADHD, then you’ll be happy to know that Alexa can also help with many of the challenges that you and your child face every day.

Are you and your child having a hard time getting back into the swing of things after the holiday break? You’re not alone! The week following the winter holidays is one of the most challenging times of the year for families of kids with ADHD. The excitement and intensity of the holidays, the delicious treats, late bedtimes and lazy mornings, and extra screen time sets kids up for a difficult adjustment when they return to school. For kids with ADHD, their symptoms often seem to be at their worst this week, and many will be more argumentative and oppositional than usual. As a parent, you’re undoubtedly having a difficult time getting back into your own routine, and have less energy available to deal with your child’s challenges.

“But, it’s not fair!” This phrase, and the tone that comes with it, is a universal button pusher for parents. It inevitably comes a time when you’re already running low on patience, and calmly engaging in a discussion about the fairness of a situation is the last thing that you want to do. Your child is equally as distressed, and because he or she truly believes that he or she has been wronged, your child’s mind becomes focused solely on arguing his or her position in the fairness debate. 

It’s December and your family has finally settled into the rhythm of the school-year. Homework time is firm, and work is getting done (most nights). Your child is getting to bed at a reasonable time, and waking up without too much difficulty in the morning. Finally! But just when you and your child have hit your stride, the winter holidays come around and you start to worry that the time off from school will send you and your child back to square one.