"My 11-year-old seems to grasp all his schoolwork, so I try to step back and let him manage his homework, study for tests, and read for book reports," one reader tells us. "But when I do, he seems more unfocused and test scores drop. Am I trying to step back too early?"
by Ari Tuckman
Many students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) struggle to keep items from falling through the cracks. Talk with him about how he approaches his homework and studying when he does them by himself, and about how you may be able to help him stay on top of it all. It might be helpful if, at the end of his homework time, the two of you check that all the work has been done. Don’t get caught up in checking for accuracy, just for completion. This approach not only helps him perform more consistently but also gives you less to argue about. If he knows the process will be quick, he will likely be more willing to let you check his work.
Ari Tuckman, Psy.D., M.B.A., is the author of More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults With ADHD and Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD: A Practical, Easy-to-Use Guide for Clinicians.