The Essential Back-to-School Guide for ADHD and Asperger’s

The Essential Back-to-School Guide for ADHD and/or Asperger's Autism

School Supplies

There are many school supplies out there that most people don’t know about or think about. Here are some of my favorites for kids with ADHD and/or autism: Triangular pencils help struggling writers with grip. Golf pencils also help kids with dysgraphia and writing struggles. I buy two boxes of these every school year. I have a pencil cup by the door and he grabs 1-2 pencils every day. They rarely come home, but at least he has a pencil at school. And I’m including our favorite pencil group below, as well.
Graph paper is fantastic for students who struggle with lining up math problems, by putting one character in each box.
The wide-tip highlighters have worked best for ‘Ricochet’ because you can highlight efficiently with just one pass over the text.
Post-It Message Flags are amazing! The pack comes with preprinted, pop-out flags that read “On Test, Study, and To Do. And the dispenser has adhesive on the back, so you can stick it in their binder or planner, or wherever makes sense to your student.
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I love math and science quick reference guides, especially when mom can’t remember the formula after not being in school 20+ years! 😉 Or when your child is frustrated because there are too many formulas to remember. They have these 2-4 page laminated quickstudy guides for every subject you can think of!
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Flash drives are necessary in most schools these days, but very likely to be lost. I recommend one that can be easily clipped on and off a binder or book bag.
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A durable water bottle is a must if your child is a chewer, like ‘Ricochet.’ He has been able to pick or chew apart and destroy just about every water bottle I’ve bought, but not the stainless steel bottles with the hard plastic spout. Now, he can still lose them…
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And, how about a little boost to their self-esteem. Lunchbox notes are great for that, although I wouldn’t recommend them for kids older than elementary school age, so they don’t get teased.
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Sensory Processing

Many kids with ADHD also struggle with sensory issues. They could be a sensory seeker, a sensory avoider, or a combination of both. Sensory struggles often happen in environments like school, where it may be bright, loud, chaotic, visually overwhelming, or not stimulating enough. Here are a few great products for your sensory-sensitive and sensory-seeking students: I cannot say enough about the HowdaHUG chairs! This is the one and only product that made a super-substantial difference in ‘Ricochet’s’ life for many years. This chair provides the sensory squeezing input many kids with ADHD need to be able to sit still and pay attention. It’s absolutely worth the cost!
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Headphones are essential for any kid who is sensitive to loud sounds or auditory overwhelm. We never leave the house without headphones… ever.
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This may seem silly, but I’m recommending chapstick for students who pick or chew or lick their lips a lot. Teaching them to keep chapstick on their lips will help to reduce the damage done to their lips. (The scents, like mint and citrus, could help with focus and alertness too.)
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Chew toppers for pencils have saved many s shirt sleeve and shirt collar…
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There are several companies that make sensory-smart clothing for kids — ultra soft, tagless, no-seams. See a list here >>> And, no-tie shoelaces saved many a morning battle:

Homework Station

Setting up a homework station in your home will make homework time easier. By having all the supplies ready in one spot, you thwart the procrastination tactic of looking for supplies, sharpening pencils, etc. This article from Landeelu is packed full of different ideas for how to structure your homework station:
DIY Back to School Homework Stations
And here are some of the products you may need to create your homework station:
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I’ve always had ‘Ricochet’ do his homework in roughly the same location in the house, although that location changes from year to year. It’s wherever he’s most comfortable. If that’s laying on the floor or hanging upside down off the couch, as long as he can get the work done, anything goes. Read the rest of my homework strategies, as well as a list of everything you should include in your homework station here. >>>

Working with Teachers

Work with teachers to discover and address problems at school with a collaborative approach. Remain calm and leave your emotions at home (easier said than done, I know). Ask the teacher to detail problems (including times they occur), then work with the teacher and your child to get to the root of the matter, and to create strategies for success. Following are some sample letters you can use to introduce your child at the beginning of the school year, to get off on the right foot (letters I use myself): > Dear Teacher, Please Meet My Child (I also have ‘Ricochet’ write his own very short letter to his teachers, and it’s often better received.) > A Guide to Your Child > How to Be Heard Loud and Clear at School Meetings (letters I use before each accommodations/IEP meeting)

 

Social

If your child struggles socially while at school, make sure you inform their teacher(s) and meet with the guidance counselor to discuss how he or she can help your child build social skills and navigate social awkwardness and struggles. Many parents don’t realize it, but helping students socially is part of the guidance counselor’s job.

 

Morning Prep

We all know mornings can be brutal with kids with ADHD. The best thing you can do is make a set routine and stick to it every single morning. In this blog post on ADDitudeMag.com I outlined what worked for us when ‘Ricochet’ was younger. This year we are going to try a sunrise simulating alarm clock as well. It wakes you gently by getting brighter and brighter, and can do the same to fall asleep. This one even has nature sounds. Our kids are far less grumpy when they are woken gently.
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Do you have another product or tip for back-to-school with kids with ADHD and/or autism? Share it in the comments!