ADD Student

Archive for the ‘Time Management’ Category

For some reason, ADDers have very poor skills when it comes to managing time. We vastly underestimate how long things will take and we experience time differently than people without ADHD. To us, time is an elastic concept; to others, it’s more of a stated fact.

Here are 5 ways that you can help your ADD Student manage their time a little more effectively:

1. Use visual representations of time. An analog clock – the old fashioned kind with a face and arms – is much more effective at representing time and how much is left than a digital one.

2. Take advantage of television. This is especially effective with younger children. You can give them ways to mark time that they can relate to. For instance, when my oldest daughter Sarah was in kindergarten, she was a big I Love Lucy fan. She learned that when I Love Lucy was almost over, she needed to be ready for the bus to take her to school. You can also use television shows as measures of time. It will take us 30 minutes to get there – that’s like one episode of Sponge Bob.

3. Use small chunks of time as motivation for doing chores. For instance, set the timer for 10-15 minutes and challenge them to see who can pick up the most toys in that time. It makes the process fun and more bearable than just cleaning.

4. Build in break time, especially for homework. 15-20 minutes of homework should be followed by a few minutes break. If you have a big assignment to do, break it down into chunks and alternate it with something else. For instance, if math will take 30 minutes, and spelling homework will take 10, do a 15 minute chunk of math, take a break, do the spelling, and then another break before tackling the last of the math.

5. Break tasks down into teeny, tiny bits and then use odd bits of time to get them done. For instance, during commercial break #1, pick out the pants you are going to wear tomorrow and put them on the chair in your room. When you need to run into your room to get your shoes, take a few seconds and pick out a shirt or put 2 things away. A habit like this can be invaluable once learned.

We all have the same amount of time at our disposal every day. Help your ADD Student learn to use theirs to its fullest.

ADD Students tend to get into trouble when it comes to long term projects like a term paper or presentation. It’s hard enough for them to remember the homework that’s due the next day, much less something that’s due weeks from now.

In addition, they (like most ADDers) tend to suffer from I’ve Got All the Time in the World syndrome. You know, that assignment that’s due in 4 weeks? They have all the time in the world to get it done, until about 2 or 3 days beforehand when they realize they should probably get started.

If they had actually worked the entire 4 weeks, they could turn in something that would really showcase their talents, but what they end up with is something slapped together in a hurry that’s not indicative of their abilities.

Some sort of project management can help ADD Students with this problem.

Because ADD Students tend to be somewhat visually oriented, I think that a chart of some kind is a good place to begin. Be sure to post it where they will see it often.

It could be as simple as a calendar that you create just for this project with tasks assigned to various days. Make an effort to really have those dates stand out – use stickers or great big colorful letters or just color them in with a bright color.

You could also do the same kind of thing with a timeline rather than a calendar, just make sure to make the dates prominent.

If your ADD Student is more computer friendly, you might want to try a software program or website that will help them break down the project into tasks and then assign a date. One I like is My Life Organized because it seems like a simple, easy to use program.

You might also want to check out sites like Toodledo and Remember the Milk. Both of these sites will integrate with iPhones which might be a bonus for you.

Whatever method you choose, remember that your ADD Student will need help breaking the project down into tasks and then remembering to do them.

It never ceases to amaze me how many great ideas and products are out there to make our lives easier. On Task, On Time for Kids is one of them.

On Task On Time is a unique timer made just for kids that helps them get their tasks and chores done without mom nagging them to do it. Can you imagine how different your life would be if you could significantly reduce the reminders to your ADHD child, and be able to rely on them to do what they should when they should?

On Task On Time is the brainchild of Moschel Kadokura, who came up with the idea after one too many mornings trying to get her 5 year old triplets out the door on time. The system worked well for her, and then again 8 years later when she had another child.

On Task On Time is much more than a timer. It is a portable and customizable chore chart that builds in motivation to get things done. Moschel calls it “beat the clock” and it is apparently a great motivator for many kids.

Moschel also points out that

“…an established routine helps children during transition
from sleep to school; from school time to home; from family time to bed time. A
routine promotes stability by letting children know what is going to happen next and what
they are expected to accomplish.”.

As parents of ADHD children, we know how difficult transitions can be for them; a product such as this that helps them make those transitions easier can be very beneficial. It also has the advantage of “remembering” for the child what needs to be done and in what order and lets them see what comes next.

Moschel suggests a reward system for tasks done on time or before the timer goes off. She even provides a place on the back of the timer to keep track. In addition, if your child is one who does not respond well to being timed, there is the option of turning the ticker off. You can also allow as much time as you think is needed for certain tasks simply by spacing the next task further away.

On Task On Time includes 3 disks so that you can allow for different tasks at different parts of the day (before school, after school, before bed) and includes 52 task stickers as well as blank stickers to make it easy to set up a routine.

For more details, be sure to check out the site and Moschel’s blog, too.