Mastering Your ADHD Child’s Procrastination, part 1
Welcome to the first installment of our 3-part series dedicated to helping you support your ADHD child with procrastination. In this series, we’ll show you some practical, science-backed strategies to help your child manage and overcome procrastination.
The Challenge that Comes with ADHD
Let’s be honest: Parenting a child with ADHD can feel like an emotional roller coaster. The daily challenges can be extremely frustrating, especially when it comes to tackling procrastination. You’ve probably tried it all—strict schedules, gentle nudges, even the occasional bribe—but nothing seems to work. If you’re pulling your hair out trying to improve your child’s study skills and time management, then this blog post is for you.
Understanding ADHD and Procrastination: The Connection
Before diving into the strategies, it’s crucial to understand why procrastination is such a common trait among children with ADHD. These kids are not lazy! The issue is that they often struggle with executive function, which includes skills like organization, planning, and initiating tasks. Difficulty in prioritizing tasks can appear as procrastination, but it’s so much more complex than that.
What do I mean by executive function? Here are the key areas of executive functioning capabilities:
- Organization: The ability to keep track of information, manage materials, and structure tasks effectively. Without strong organizational skills, even starting a small task can feel overwhelming for a child with ADHD.
- Planning: This is not only about making a plan but also understanding the steps needed to complete a task. Children with ADHD might struggle to see the bigger picture so any task can seem daunting.
- Task Initiation: Getting started on a task can be one of the biggest hurdles. Kids with ADHD often have trouble transitioning from thinking about a task to actually doing it. This leads to procrastination and the rush to complete assignments.
- Prioritization: Children with ADHD often struggle with determining which tasks are most important or urgent. They may spend too much time on less critical tasks or avoid challenging ones altogether, leading to procrastination.
When children struggle with executive functioning, it often looks like procrastination. But it’s not that they don’t want to complete the tasks, it’s that their brain has trouble organizing and managing the steps needed to complete those tasks.
Why Traditional Methods Fail
If you’re like me, then you’ve probably tried traditional methods like to-do lists or policing your child’s schedule minute-by-minute. Unfortunately, these approaches often backfire because they don’t address the underlying issues of motivation and focus, which are vital to improving study skills.
But here’s the more difficult part that you might’ve already experienced (or you will) – your child doesn’t want to hear what you have to say and won’t listen to your suggestions on how to study.
The Importance of Identifying Procrastination Triggers
Before you can come up with a game plan, identify the triggers that spur your child’s procrastination. Is it an aversion to a specific subject? Is it overwhelming anxiety? Or perhaps it’s an inability to focus? The solution often lies in understanding the problem at its root.
Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination
Now that you understand how ADHD is connected to procrastination and how to identify those trigger points, we’ll show you some simple strategies to help your child feel less overwhelmed and more accomplished.
Tailor-made Strategies: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Your child is unique, and so should be the approach. Generic tips and strategies might not be effective for your child.
Your child will benefit from tailored organization strategies based on their learning style, strengths, and challenges. Try different types of strategies and see what works best for your child while observing their reaction, responses, and performance.
Break Down Large Tasks
One of the most effective ways to combat procrastination is by breaking large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. This makes the assignment less daunting and helps foster a sense of accomplishment.
Please see our blog posts on executive functions.
Use Timers for Structured Breaks
Children with ADHD find it difficult to focus for extended periods. This difficulty is rooted in the way their brains process information and manage attention. Extended periods of concentration can lead to mental fatigue, restlessness, and frustration, which makes them want to give up and shut down entirely.
Using a simple kitchen timer can be a game-changer. This technique, often referred to as the Pomodoro Technique or time-blocking, can make all the difference for children with ADHD.
Reward System: A Boost of Motivation
Small rewards after completing tasks can work wonders for motivation. Just make sure the rewards are appropriate for your child’s grade and age and not counterproductive (like rewarding with extra video game time).
The Role of External Help for Children with ADHD: Is Tutoring the Answer?
For children with ADHD, a private tutor specializing in study skills and executive function can provide the one-on-one customized attention they often need. These professionals can tailor their approach to your child’s specific learning style, making the learning experience more engaging and less overwhelming. This is exactly what I did when my children were diagnosed, and it completely changed our lives.
Using a private tutor or coach might also remove you from being the homework police. A good tutor will create a safe and encouraging environment for your child while teaching them the skills they need and holding them accountable, so you don’t have to.
Read Why I Got My Son a Tutor, from the founder of Successful Study Skills 4 Students, and learn how hiring a private tutor changed her life.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Mastering procrastination in your ADHD child is no small feat; it’s a long-term commitment that requires patience, tailored strategies, and sometimes, external help.
If you’re a parent looking for a private tutor to enhance your child’s study skills, consider one specializing in ADHD and executive function. The journey may be long, but remember: the goal is to empower your child to manage their responsibilities, and become an independent learner.
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