By John and Diane.
NOTE: This posting is about ADD and Trust disorder kids who CAN attend school. For all those parents who are dealing with kids who aren't attending or cannot attend school yet due to behavioral issues, we have information for you as well, and are working on our post about home-teaching and transitioning to school. We know you are out there... and we hope you are hanging in there....
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All parents are anxious to get their kids back to school,
but those of us with high energy ADD, ADHD or kids with other impulsivity
issues and trust issues, well, we are even MORE excited about the prospect of a
break from the endless attention-needy kids.
If you have been successful and diligent about sticking to a
schedule as I suggested in my blog post
The ADHD and RAD Kid Summer Planner: or "Why I Didn't Lose My Mind While My Kid's were on Summer Vacation" then the transition won’t be too difficult. Having a routine that you have stuck to with wake up and bedtimes means less of an adjustment to your routine-loving kids, so that will be to your benefit. If you haven’t been able to keep the school routine going, you still have a chance to create one that will make the back –to-school transition less dramatic for your kids.
The ADHD and RAD Kid Summer Planner: or "Why I Didn't Lose My Mind While My Kid's were on Summer Vacation" then the transition won’t be too difficult. Having a routine that you have stuck to with wake up and bedtimes means less of an adjustment to your routine-loving kids, so that will be to your benefit. If you haven’t been able to keep the school routine going, you still have a chance to create one that will make the back –to-school transition less dramatic for your kids.
So, let’s just focus on the most important thing that kids
with ADD, ADHD and trust disorders need and want. STRUCTURE AND ROUTINE. If you have fallen out of the usual wake and bedtimes
from the school schedule, begin adjusting those times now so that the child is
waking and going to bed at normal school times at least three weeks before
school begins.
If you haven’t done any homeschooling during the summer and
have let your ADD and RAD kids do their own thing, start pulling in the
reins. I had recommended keeping
to a regime throughout the summer of learning and exercise programs to mimic
lesson times at school to keep kids use to the school day schedule and to
minimize anxiety and tantrums. If you have done this you are probably having a
realatively decent summer. If not,
you are Definitely ready for school to start. :)
Re-introduce a
daily schedule of play, chore and learning times. ADD and RAD or kids with
trust and impulsivity issues do better when they have structure and routine, so
their anxiety levels will decrease and outbursts will be limited. A schedule
similar to their school day with outdoor play and lunchtimes about the same as
at school will help them make a smooth transition back to class.
Finally, get yourself organized. Start planning now
for doctors appointments, teacher meetings and purchasing school supplies so
that you don’t feel stressed as the big day approaches. Your kids can pick up
on your stress levels, which will set them off, so do yourself a favor and plan
ahead for all those things you need to take care of so that you aren’t feeling
pressure.
Here is a week to week planner for you that might help:
July 9 –
15 Start adjusting the child’s schedule to school
schedule times.
July 16 – 22 Make doctors appt. to check on medications levels, get
immunizations, and
physicals for sports if necessary.
Update immunization records. Update your emergency contact numbers. Make sure any medication changes are given to school nurse. Start putting together a file to give to the school with the list of medications,caseworkers names and numbers, your phone numbers and doctors and any allergies. Very important for New Foster Kids! (sometimes the schools have this information from the year before if YOU need it for new foster kids!)
July 23 – 29 Get back to school clothing and shoes.
July 30 – Aug 5 Get list of school supplies needed and shop the sales. Child should be on School Day time schedule now.
Aug 6 – Aug 12 Kids clean and organize their rooms and homework spaces. Get kids hair cut and prep for school pics.
Aug 19 – Aug 26 Get teacher’s names and email addresses, Get digital copies of IEPs that you may have to send to various caseworkers, teachers or doctors throughout the year. Start a file folder with the new school year marked on it for all of the upcoming paperwork you may get and want to keep track of. Put a list of child's meds in the folder for easy referral.
Get new school year calenders printed up to mark days-off, events and appointments.
Everyone celebrates a
new and happy start back at school
Good luck everyone!
If you have more tips on how to make the transition easier
on your foster, adopted or bio kids with issues like RAD, ADD or Aspergers,
please comment here or on our Facebook page!
For more information, check out these resources:
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