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Looking to find services for your child who may be at-risk?

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Looking to find services for your child who may be at-risk?

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Contact Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS)for diagnostic services for your child. They also provide other resources for parents like trainings.

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FDLRS Child Find, in coordination with the school districts, locates children who are potentially eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and links them with needed services.

Child Find services help to promote general public awareness of programs and services available for young children who have or are at risk of developing disabilities. Service coordination for diagnostic screening, placement, training, and support is also provided.

Sampling of Services Offered by Child Find:

Child Find Awareness/Outreach

Child Find Service Coordination

CHRIS Database

Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Early Childhood Developmental Screenings, Coordination, and Resources

Early Childhood Development

Early Learning Coalitions

Interagency Collaboration

Part C to B Transition Facilitation, Resources, Professional Development, Technical Assistance

Pre-K ESE Coordination and Meeting/Support

Support BDI Implementation

Technical Assistance

Child Find Contacts

Dr. Tracy Umpenhour
Coordinator
Phone: (386) 312-2265
Email: umpenhourt@nefec.org

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FDLRS Child Find, in coordination with the school districts, locates children who are potentially eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and links them with needed services. Child Find services help to promote general public awareness of programs and services available for young children who have or are at risk of developing disabilities.

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ADHD is a common condition that affects many school-aged children. However, students with ADHD still have the right to an education, just like their general education peers. Below is more information about ADHD.

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ADHD is a very common condition in kids and adults. But kids who have it are often misunderstood. You may not yet know if your child has ADHD (also called ADD). But if your child has trouble with focus, or is hyperactive and impulsive, there are many ways to help at school and at home.

This overview can help you learn the basics about ADHD and lead you to more in-depth information. If you're concerned your child has ADHD, here are steps you can take. And if your child was just diagnosed with ADHD, find out what to do next.

Here are some signs of ADHD you might see in different grades.

Ignores directions or doesn't follow them

Grabs things without permission

Needs to be frequently reminded to stop and listen

Gets up, fidgets, or talks when expected to be quiet

Seems daydreamy and distracted, and easily loses focus

Often loses or forgets things

Is often restless

Doesn't think about consequences before doing things

Has trouble getting organized and prioritizing things

Acts impulsively or does risky things

Fidgets and talks too much

Has trouble meeting deadlines and finishing tasks

There aren't any medical tests for ADHD. So evaluators use other methods to diagnose it. They ask parents to fill out detailed questionnaires about their child's behavior. (Teachers may also get a questionnaire.)

Evaluators also interview kids and their parents or caregivers. They ask for a detailed history of the child's health. They also ask about how the child functions at school, at home, and in social situations.

There are different types of professionals who diagnose ADHD in kids. They mostly work outside of schools, and many can look for other conditions that kids with ADHD often have. Two of the most common are anxiety and learning differences.

There are a few treatment options for ADHD. Different professionals help with different ones.

Health care providers can prescribe and monitor medications for ADHD. They also fine-tune or switch medications until they find the right prescription for a child. Experts agree that medication is the most effective treatment for most kids with ADHD.

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ADHD is a very common condition in kids and adults. But kids who have it are often misunderstood. You may not yet know if your child has ADHD (also called ADD). But if your child has trouble with focus, or is hyperactive and impulsive, there are many ways to help at school and at home.

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Master Guide Provided by the Florida Department of Education

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Master Guide Provided by the Florida Department of Education

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This guide provides parents with the most up-to-date information on the rights of you, the parent, and your child. Issues discussed are screening for disability, the IEP process, and contact information about your child's education.

TIP: Hit CONTROL + F buttons at the same time on your computer to search for key words in the document to find what you are looking for.

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CCF is part of Florida International University and provides treatment and services for children with disabilities. Below are resources during remote learning and contact information if you want to seek treatment for your child.

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Services Update

Our center offers a wide range of evidence-based telehealth services for families in need. We understand this is a difficult time for many, and we are here to support you while you are at home.

Please visit our Families page for a list of mental health concerns we treat, and Research for a list of clinical research and research programs that continue to screen and recruit participants. If you have any concerns or questions regarding our services or your appointment, please feel free to contact your provider directly or call us at 305-348-0477 to leave a message. Your message will be returned within 24 hours. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

We continue to closely monitor the development of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and to take preventive steps to ensure we keep our community, faculty and staff members as safe as possible. We continue to ask for your flexibility during this time as we continue to update you about our activities.

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Florida International University - Digital Communications

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Our center offers a wide range of evidence-based telehealth services for families in need. We understand this is a difficult time for many, and we are here to support you while you are at home.

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Parent to Parent serves families and children with disabilities in Miami-Dade and Monroe County. They provide advocacy and trainings for parents.

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Parent to Parent of Miami is constantly seeking new resources to help families help their children reach their fullest potential. Here you will find information regarding laws, financial help, summer camps and activities, support, transportation, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and more.

We encourage you to please take the time to search through our resources and learn about the services and supports available locally and nationally for children with disabilities and their families. If you know of a great resource that we have missed and would like us to feature on our website, please contact us at info@ptopmiami.org.

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Parent to Parent of Miami is constantly seeking new resources to help families help their children reach their fullest potential. Here you will find information regarding laws, financial help, summer camps and activities, support, transportation, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and more.

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Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)provides resources for parents with children with ADHD. A toolkit for parents is provided on their website.

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ADHD and School: A Toolkit for Parents - CHADD

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This toolkit for parents provides strategies to help with school success. It includes resources tailored to ADHD struggles, such as how to create routines, how to set up a homework station, and how to structure home-school communication. Additional resources include customizable charts, a sample le…

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The Advocacy Network on Disabilities provides resources specific to Miami-Dade that can help parents advocate for their child.

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The internet is a remarkable resource for people with disabilities, their families, professionals, and the community as a whole, but the accuracy and usefulness of information varies greatly. The list below consists of websites that The Advocacy Network on Disabilities staff uses and finds helpful. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly.

Disclaimer: We do not endorse any provider. The information displayed below was provided by each agency. It is very important that you call or visit to carefully evaluate which best suits your needs.

NATIONAL RESOURCES

American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
Formerly the American Association of Mental Retardation, the AAIDD is an association run by and for professionals who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Autism Society of America and Autism Speaks
Two very good resources on Autism for both families and professionals.

Medline
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health, Medline provides extensive information with an encyclopedia of medical and disability related topics, drug information, access to medical journal articles, and more.

National Organization for Rare Disorders
Focusing on less common conditions, the NORD website features a dictionary of over 1000 disabilities and health conditions that affect small numbers of people.

Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA)
Learn more about this condition from an organization of families and professionals working together to promote and fund research, provide education, and offer support to enhance the quality of life of those impacted by Prader-Willi syndrome.

Social Security Administration
The Federal government's site about information on Social Security benefits. online services include applying for benefits; replacing lost or damaged cards; changing address information; and finding a Social Security office. For information on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/index.htm.

Social Security and Disability Resource Center
This page has information about qualifying for disability in the disability questions section.

Spina Bifida Association
Using the tools of education, advocacy, research, and service, the national organization and its affiliate chapters are dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with Spina Bifida.

The ARC of the United States
Formerly known as the Association for Retarded Citizens, a national network of members and affiliated chapters working on behalf of those with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
A leading source of information about cerebral palsy, the site also includes information and news about other developmental disabilities and advocacy efforts nationwide.

STATE RESOURCES WITH LOCAL LINKS

Abilities Work Web Portal and Help Desk
Florida has launched a new initiative to help link employers to job seekers who have disabilities. According to Governor Scott, the Abilities Work Web Portal and Help Desk is designed to ensure that every Floridian can get a great job. I would like to thank everyone involved with the Abilities Work Web Portal and Help Desk for making employment a reality for many more Floridians. Connecting Floridians with disabilities to employers benefits everyone, and we must continue working each day to make sure everyone who wants a job can have one." The portal and help desk are designed to help employers recruit and hire more applicants with disabilities who are ready and able to work, and inform them of the available support that can help an individual succeed on the job.

ACCESS Florida: Florida Department of Children and Families
The Automated Community Connection to Economic Self-Sufficiency is the Department of Children and Family's online public assistance service delivery system enabling Floridians to apply for benefits on line. The site also has helpful links for seeking employment, child care, and emergency food assistance.

Agency for Healthcare Administration
Information about hospitals, nursing homes, extended care, and other licensed facilities in Florida.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
APD is the Florida agency responsible for providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities. This is an excellent source of information about all aspects of the program for people receiving services, individuals waiting for services, and professionals.

Local contact information:
Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, http://apd.myflorida.com/region/southern/
Broward County, http://apd.myflorida.com/region/southeast

Children's Medical Services
A program of Florida's Department of Health, CMS serves children who have serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions that require extensive preventive and maintenance care beyond that required by typically healthy children. Eligibility for services is based on both medical and financial criteria.

Local contact information: Miami Regional Offices

Early Steps - Florida's Early Intervention Program
Housed within Children's Medical Services, Early Steps offers early intervention services for families with infants and toddlers (birth to 36 months) who have developmental delays or an established condition likely to result in a developmental delay. Local offices coordinate with community agencies and other contracted providers for the delivery of needed supports and services. Find local contact information at: http://www.cms-kids.com/ContactUs/EIPdir.pdf.

Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
The site provides information about epilepsy and other seizure disorders, and services and supports available in the community.

Family Network on Disabilities of Florida (FND)
A statewide network of families of children and young adults with disabilities and special needs. Through its Parent Education Network, site resources include online tutorials on disability-related topics.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
The primary mission of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is to promote innovative programs and practices designed to prevent developmental disabilities and improve the quality of life of individuals with such disabilities and their families.

Florida Developmental Disabilities Resources Providers Search
A public reporting resource for individuals with developmental disabilities living in or moving to the State of Florida. The primary purpose of this Website is to help individuals with developmental disabilities find a provider that best meets their needs.

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
FDLRS is a special education support system for educators, parents, and professionals who work with children with exceptionalities. Both the website and local offices provide a wealth of information that is available to the public.

Local contact information:
Miami-Dade and Monroe: http://fdlrs-south.dadeschools.net/
Broward: http://academics.browardschools.com/ESE_SSS/Florida-Diagnostic-Learning-Resource-System

Florida's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
An employment resource for businesses and people with disabilities, its mission is to enable individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. Click here to find local contact information.

State of Florida
Provides central access to all state agencies and services, including the state legislature.

MIAMI-DADE RESOURCES

ACT4ME
Provides financial assistance to pay or supplement the cost of therapies, equipment, or treatment for local families with children who have developmental delays due to a neurological disorder.

Center for Independent Living of South Florida (CIL)
With services primarily for CIL's mission is to assist anyone with a disability to achieve and maintain an independent and self-determined lifestyle to the maximum extent possible. The majority of people managing, controlling and working at the Center are people with disabilities.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Special Education
The site provides information and extensive resources for students in special education classes and their families.

Miami Dade County Department of Human Services
Within this website you will find information on the social services and programs provided by Miami-Dade County at over 65 locations.

Parent to Parent of Miami Inc.
Parents working with other parents who have children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs to provide information, training and support.

South Florida Community Development Council: Affordable Housing
A coalition of nonprofit developers and their partners working to provide affordable housing. Provides a directory of South Florida housing programs.

Special Transportation Services
Guide to Miami-Dade's transportation resources for people with disabilities.

Switchboard of Miami Directory of Services
An online directory of a wide variety of services in Miami-Dade County including a section on disability and health services.

Teach More/ Love More
The special needs section of the Teach More/Love More website has a variety of resources to help families of children with disabilities connect, cope, and thrive.

The Children's Trust
The Children's Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their future. The Children's Trust encourages the inclusion of children with disabilities in all programs it funds.

United Way of Miami-Dade
United Way of Miami-Dade has a plan to achieve measurable outcomes in four main areas. The community plan, set forth by its volunteers and other community experts, is focused on helping kids and families lead successful lives, improving health and independence, responding to emergency and basic needs and encouraging neighborhood and civic involvement.

University of Miami/Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD)
One of seven regional resource centers established by the Florida Legislature, services include family support, technical assistance and consultation, parent and professional training programs, and public education activities about autism and related disorders.

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The internet is a remarkable resource for people with disabilities, their families, professionals, and the community as a whole, but the accuracy and usefulness of information varies greatly. The list below consists of websites that The Advocacy Network on Disabilities staff uses and finds helpful. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly.

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Support Online Learning for Children with ADHD During Remote Learning

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Support Online Learning for Children with ADHD During Remote Learning

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Remote learning has been challenging for children with ADHD. Below are some tips to help parents as their children navigate distance learning.

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Tears and tantrums-popular words among parents who've taken to social media to describe remote learning for their kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Without the usual support from teachers or the familiarity of classroom rules and structure, the struggle to stay organized and keep up with lessons and homework has suddenly become overwhelming.

"My son needs to be hands-on," says New Orleans mother Sydney Ray, whose sixth-grade son has ADHD and anxiety. Because of the frustration he's experiencing during online classes, he's begun blurting things out unexpectedly, interrupting both his peers and Ray's meetings as she works from home. "School from home plus ADHD is complete, ahem...hell," writes Ray via text message.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 6.1 million children in the United States between the ages of 2 and 17 have an ADHD diagnosis. It's considered one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, and by mid-elementary and middle school, symptoms can include difficulty starting and completing tasks, restlessness when not engaged in an activity, rushed and messy work, and trouble following multistep directions.

"ADHD affects the entire brain," says Adiaha Spinks-Franklin, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine. "Your brain does not make enough dopamine or epinephrine-chemicals that are important for self-control and self-regulation. So students with ADHD can't regulate their impulses, their attention, their emotions. They struggle with being disorganized and with time and money management."

Remote classrooms pose special problems. Researchers recently found that 31 percent of parents of kids with ADHD described remote learning as "very challenging" and struggled to support their children at home. Educators and students can be at a disadvantage, too. In the physical classroom, teachers can generally see when students with ADHD are confused, fidgety, and in need of a quick refocus prompt-but many of these signals are lost in translation during Zoom instruction. And because learning from home is generally more independent, it requires more focus and organization, two qualities that are often in short supply for students with ADHD.

To support kids with ADHD in elementary and middle school, the educators we spoke with said they're focusing on the fundamentals of smart online teaching: brain and body breaks, chunking lessons into shorter units, and connecting with and soliciting feedback from their students-but especially those with ADHD-as often as possible. "In regular classrooms, the whole first quarter is about understanding students' learning styles and creating partnerships with them to learn what I might do to help them," says New Orleans elementary school educator Sari Levy. "We can't forget that point when we're teaching digitally."

Here's a breakdown of what we found teachers are doing for their kids with ADHD:

Find Out How Students Learn Best-and Support That

Lessons that are repetitive and long, requiring sustained mental effort, are difficult for most kids, says Sydney Zentall, a professor emerita of educational studies at Purdue University-but they are especially tough for students with ADHD who tend to get bored and distracted easily. Intentionally incorporating an element of choice can engage students with ADHD and enable them to sustain attention longer. There's also research showing that when another activity is introduced that draws on a different sense-say, standing up for a few minutes during a virtual lesson or listening to white noise or soft background music while working through math problems-it can help focus kids' brains on the primary task.

Allen Jefferson, a 15-year-old student in New Orleans with ADHD, prefers to log into his online classes on his cell phone because this allows him to move around the house or stroll out into the backyard without missing a moment of class. Keeping his body busy helps him stay focused-the phone is just for convenience: "It's harder to walk around with a laptop," he explains.

To help students with ADHD create their optimal learning environment, Levy suggests a private check-in with students to discuss how they learn best and brainstorm ways to improve their home learning setup. She asks questions like "Tell me a little bit about where you learn" and "Does that feel calm for you?"

Finally, when students with ADHD are allowed to fidget, they're able to concentrate better. Annie Preziosi, a special education administrator in a New Orleans K-8 school, likes to remind students that fidgets don't necessarily need to be expensive, and many items can easily be found at home and are quiet, so they don't bother other kids: pipe cleaners, rubber bands, beaded bracelets, clay, a small handball, or paper clips, for example. All these items can help keep kids' hands busy while they learn.

Support Keeping Track of Time and Schedules

Students with ADHD can struggle to keep track of time. Setting reminders on their phones about class start times, due dates, and other tasks can help. Sometimes, a simple kitchen timer can help them break up tasks and stay focused for chunks of time.

Visual timers, battery-operated units that replicate analog clocks and allow students to see the passage of time via a colored disk that disappears as minutes pass-like this one and this smaller one-allow them to track the passage of time and provide helpful external cues that boost focus. During independent periods when kids are learning from home, time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique -essentially, setting a timer and focusing on a specific task for 25 minutes, then taking a five-minute break, then returning to the task-can help kids stay steadily productive.

Because organization can be a challenge-and because many schools continue to adjust their remote and hybrid schedules, requiring students to keep track of evolving schedules-kids need clear, easy-to-read schedules. Post daily schedules in a single, predictable space in your learning management system (LMS), and try not to vary that routine. If possible, include links to any resources you'll use, including all Zoom meeting IDs and passwords. Ask students who need extra scaffolding to tape the daily schedule at eye level in their learning space-or if it's a digital schedule with links, ask them to keep it on their laptop or iPad homepage.

Those kinds of strategies will help limit anxiety when students are late or don't know their next move, says Levy. "If any child starts off class in a panic, they won't do well in class," she says, and they won't be ready to learn. "Nobody should feel that way." If she sees students logging in late and feeling anxious, she offers calming words to help her students self-regulate: "Take a breath. You're here. Whatever happened before you got here, let it go."

Start With the Big Picture-Then Break It Down

Children with ADHD commonly struggle with executive function. Executive functions are the brain's self-control capacities; they allow us to sustain action and problem-solving toward a goal. Russell Barkley, PhD, clinical professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina and a leading expert on ADHD, describes executive function as "goal-directed problem-solving, and goal-directed persistence."

One of these executive functions is the ability to tap into what Barkley calls "nonverbal working memory" to create mental maps to guide behavior so that we can meet a goal-and remember the sequence of steps required to do that. A complex, multistep homework assignment without the appropriate scaffolding, for example, can be a major barrier for a child with ADHD.

During remote instruction, says Sydney Zentall, it's especially important for kids with ADHD to start with the big picture and then move to the small pieces. "They need to see the forest, then the trees," she says. According to Zentall's research, students with ADHD learn best when teachers present a new topic by teaching the big idea first-the ocean is warming, for example-instead of giving detailed descriptions of how warming oceans may be affecting animals. "Start with the biggest idea first, then specifics," Zentall says. Starting with too much detail, she says, is overwhelming for kids with ADHD.

Adapt Strategies That Kids Already Use Online

Poor working memory is common for people with ADHD, which can make reading comprehension and retention difficult. When students are reading text on a screen, says Annie Preziosi, they tend to skim rather than read closely-making it even more difficult for kids with ADHD to understand and retain what they've read. But when she asks students to slow down and summarize each paragraph, it makes information "sticky for them, so they can remember it better," she says.

When students are reading text online, Preziosi uses an active reading strategy whereby she numbers key paragraphs of the reading material and asks students to write down the main idea for each. And she uses a simple trick to help her students engage with the strategy: She asks them to write hashtags for the paragraphs. So, for example, students might hashtag a paragraph with #DerrickLovesFootball or #PrincessLovesTheColorGreen.

Build In Brain and Body Breaks

All kids benefit from quick breaks during the school day, but for kids with ADHD, taking regular breaks away from Zoom lessons is critical for maintaining focus.

To break up her lessons, Levy builds in regular movement breaks for her students with ADHD by asking them to complete specific tasks like gathering lesson materials and tools, using the bathroom, or getting a drink. Preziosi limits class time to 30-minute chunks broken up by regular breaks "to get that extra energy out." She's found that beyond the half-hour mark, "younger children can't absorb information, in my experience," Preziosi says. When kids return to her online class, she gets them back into the flow with breathing exercises, helping them settle down and prepare for learning.

And because kids learning from home are missing critical opportunities to socialize with their peers, Spinks-Franklin recommends scheduling unstructured Zoom breaks specifically for children to "goof around and talk, unscheduled," with each other. "They need that social interaction," she says.

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5 Ways to Support Kids With ADHD During Remote Learning

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Without the rules and structure of the classroom, students with ADHD are struggling. Here's how teachers can help.

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Maintaining a schedule for children with ADHD is vital to support their social development. Below is a link to set up a sample schedule for your child at home.

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There's no perfect plan for raising a child with ADHD, but by following a detailed, structured routine, your child will be able to complete his chores and still have some fun.

These strategies can guide you as you develop your family's ADHD plan:

Build good habits. "Good habits are just as easy to learn as bad ones," says L. Eugene Arnold, MD, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the Ohio State University in Sunbury, Ohio. Once a behavior is a habit, it requires a lot less attention to carry out. As you consider your child's overall schedule, however, emphasize only one habit at a time, such as putting away his toys before bedtime. Pick the one with the greatest effect, Dr. Arnold suggests, and work on that one first.

Set achievable goals. Break down larger blocks of time in your ADHD plan into smaller, doable projects. For example, instead of setting aside an hour for general chores, select a specific, manageable chore, such as feeding the family dog, to be followed with something more fun - or just a break.

Schedule fitness opportunities. Physical activity is beneficial for children with ADHD, so always try to build time into your schedule for an outdoor activity if possible. Plan on indoor options for bad weather days, such as fitness-oriented games like Wii Fit tennis.

Write down your daily plan. Written instructions or checklists with detailed steps are much more helpful for children with ADHD than verbal instruction because they're easier to remember and review. Also, says Arnold, written instructions have fewer emotional triggers for both parent and child. Giving children with ADHD short, age-appropriate lists of tasks to be done - or small steps for a larger task - will keep them on track. Young children may need pictures to help them complete the tasks on their list.

Create a daily reward system. Children with ADHD often respond well to a simple reward, such as stars for completed activities and a daily star-quota to be rewarded with a favorite activity. Older kids may also appreciate a chance to save up their stars for a bigger end-of-week reward.

Include your child. Giving your child some limited, age-appropriate choices in the schedule is a good idea. "The privilege of choosing your own schedule comes with responsibility," points out Arnold. So, for example, if your child prefers to shower in the morning but cannot do so and meet other deadlines, move showering to the before-bed list.

Creating Your Daily ADHD Plan
With the above guidelines in mind, you can create a schedule that's more personalized to your child's needs. Each day does not have to include all the activities listed below. For example, if you need to run a few errands in the morning, you might want to skip chores at home and build outdoor play into your errand-running schedule.
Morning Routine:

Wake up. Sticking with the same wake-up time every day will make mornings easier. Older kids can use an alarm. Younger kids can be woken up gently with your touch and singing or calling their name.

Morning hygiene. Your checklist at this time of day might include steps such as "make your bed, take a shower, brush teeth, brush hair, and put on clean clothes." Older children may need to add "take meds" to this list.

Breakfast. Offer choices of favorite healthy foods, but steer clear of those with artificial food coloring. Arnold says that children with ADHD benefit from a diet free of additives.

Pet care. If your child has a pet, this is a good time to give it food or water and clean its cage.

Morning study or chores. If your child is not going to school that day, morning is a good time to get some chores done. Pick an easy and very specific task or do some homework, then build in a play or relaxation break. You might want to make a weekly chore chart so that each day has a specific activity written down. Include basic steps for the chore if necessary. If you have a lot of errands to run with your child in tow, Arnold advises breaking up the time with a trip to a park or arcade that your child enjoys.

After-School Routine:

Snack. Children with ADHD often do well with small, healthy, frequent meals or snacks.

Outside play or sports. Even though children with ADHD benefit from structure, some free play such as romping on a playground is also important.

Nap. This is as needed and age-appropriate.

Homework or chores. Note that children coming home from school may need to take a break and have a snack before getting into schoolwork, but you have to make this decision based on the needs of your child and also when any ADHD medication may wear off. It's best to get homework or tutoring done while the meds are still working.

Play or relaxation. Although excessive television is not a good idea, Arnold says that if children enjoy watching certain TV shows, this can be a nice relaxation and reward for completing chores or work.

Clean up. Again, provide specific directions for a specific task. Instead of saying "Clean up your stuff," try "Let's put all the toys neatly back on the shelves."

Dinner Routine:

Enlist them to help with dinner preparation. Involve children with age-appropriate dinner prep steps. You could create a dinner-related checklist with steps like "set the table" or "make a family salad" to help them along.

Plan an after-dinner relaxation activity. "Children with ADHD have trouble settling down," says Arnold. Even if they are tired, they may still need your help. If your habit is to watch TV in the evenings, choose calmer shows - light comedies are okay, but avoid drama, he says. A quiet board game is another good option. Avoid energizing activities such as active games or video games.

Bedtime Routine:

Get ready for bed. This is another good time for a targeted checklist, such as "shower or bathe, wash face, brush teeth, put on PJs, and put dirty clothes in the hamper."

Put out clothes for tomorrow. Selecting an outfit and putting it where your child can easily find it will make for a smoother morning routine. Evening is also a good time to gather up homework and put it all in the backpack for school the next day.

Plan a relaxing, wind-down activity. Try a listing to calming music together or giving your child a mini-massage. "Fifteen minutes of massage is beneficial for children with ADHD," notes Arnold. For best results, use firm pressure. He recommends rolling a tennis ball up and down the child's back. Soothing music and recorded relaxation programs are also helpful for children with ADHD.

Set a sleep schedule. Children with ADHD often have trouble sleeping, but they need to be on a regular sleep schedule nonetheless. Make sure you have a set time for going to bed and waking up. If your child has sleep problems, Arnold advises talking with your child's doctor - medication may help.

With their high energy and creativity, children with ADHD can be great fun as they rocket through the day. Your job is just to provide a flexible structure, healthy snacks, and lots of love.

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Create a Daily Routine for Children With ADHD | Everyday Health

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There's no perfect plan for raising a child with ADHD, but by following a detailed, structured routine, your child will be able to complete his chores and still have some fun. These strategies can guide you as you develop your family's ADHD plan: Build good habits.

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Below are some apps students with ADHD can use to organize their schoolwork. Apps take practice to getting used to. Don't be discouraged if your child does not take a liking to them immediately.

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From forgotten assignments to after-school distractions, daily homework is derailed in so many ways. Download these tools designed to help students organize forgotten assignments, stay on task even through distracting daydreams, and avoid common homework obstacles.

Boy with ADHD wearing glasses using tablet in elementary school class

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Flashcards Deluxe is a great app for students with ADHD

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Evernote is a great app for students with ADHD

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From forgotten assignments to after-school distractions, daily homework is derailed in so many ways. Download these tools designed to help students organize forgotten assignments, stay on task even through distracting daydreams, and avoid common homework obstacles. 1 of 9 3 of 9 5 of 9

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Increased screen-time is often associated with children with ADHD. Linked is a family screen-time plan in both English and Spanish that can help families create a healthy relationship with technology at home.