Skip to main content
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Sign in
  • My Profile
  • Shop
  • Cart
  • Donate
  • MembersToggle
      • Member Resources
      • Membership & Dues
      • Committees
      • JAACAP
      • Ethics
  • Families/YouthToggle
      • Facts for Families
      • Resource Centers
        • Resources for Clinicians
        • ADHD Resource Center
        • Anxiety Resource Center
        • Autism Resource Center
        • Bipolar Disorder Resource Center
        • Bullying Resource Center
        • Trauma and Child Abuse Resource Center
        • Conduct Disorder Resource Center
        • Depression Resource Center
        • Disaster and Trauma Resource Center
        • Emotion Dysregulation
        • Military Families Resource Center
        • Moving Into Adulthood Resource Center
        • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Resource Center
        • Oppositional Defiant Disorder Resource Center
        • Physically Ill Child Resource Center
        • Schools Resource Center
        • Substance Use Resource Center
        • Suicide Resource Center
      • Resource Libraries
        • Anti-Racism Resource Library
        • Asian American and Pacific Islander Resource Library
        • Coronavirus Resource Library
        • Disaster Liaison Network Resource Library
        • Guns and Violence Resource Library
        • Youth at the Border Resource Library
      • Parents’ Medication Guide
      • CAP Finder
      • Getting Help
  • Your CareerToggle
      • Medical Students
      • Residents & Fellows
      • Early Career Psychiatrists
      • Mentorship Matters
        • AACAP Mentorship Network
      • Awards
        • AACAP PsyFI Mentorship Award
        • Catchers in the Rye Awards
        • Distinguished Member Awards
        • Academic Paper Awards
        • Resident and Early Career Psychiatrists Awards
        • Medical Students
        • International Scholar Awards
  • LearningToggle
      • CME
        • Online CME Opportunities
        • Live CME Opportunities
        • CME Accreditation
        • How You Earn CME Credits
        • CME FAQs
      • Meetings
        • 2023 Pediatric Psychopharmacology Update Institute
        • 2023 Annual Meeting Call For Papers
        • 2023 Online Hansen Annual Update Course
        • Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
        • Upcoming Meetings
        • Past Meeting Resources and Publications
      • Continuing Certification
      • Pathways
      • Session Recordings
  • PracticeToggle
      • Clinical Practice Guidelines
      • Clinical Practice Center
        • Business of Practice
        • Clinical Care and Quality Improvement
        • Systems of Care and Collaborative Models
      • Telepsychiatry
      • Systems & Models
      • Healthcare Tools
  • AdvocateToggle
      • Be An Advocate
      • Policy Resources
        • State Workforce Maps
      • AACAP PAC
      • Advocacy and Collaboration Grants
      • Legislative Conference
      • Advocacy Updates
      • Major Action Lists
      • Policy Statements
      • AACAP & Presidential Statements
Supporting School Success

You are your child’s best advocate. If your child has been diagnosed and treated for ADHD, you should share this information with your child’s teachers. If your child has not been diagnosed but is having school problems you should have your child evaluated for ADHD.You may either find a qualified professional on your own or ask the school district for an evaluation or referral.

Sharing Information

School BoyIf your child has already been evaluated, diagnosed, and treated for ADHD, be sure to tell his or her teachers. Teachers can use this information to help your child succeed. Even if your child has not yet entered school, it can be very helpful to share information about your child’s diagnosis and treatment with his or her preschool teacher or caregiver.

When you talk with teachers:

  • Ask if your child is having any problems in school or on the playground.
  • Say that your child has ADHD, a common childhood illness.
  • List any medications your child takes.
  • Explain any other treatments, such as behavior therapy.
  • Find out if your child can get any special services to help with learning.

Requesting a School Evaluation

If your child has not been diagnosed with ADHD and you suspect he or she has it, you can ask the school to do an ADHD evaluation. Although some parents choose to consult a doctor or mental health professional outside the school system, you may instead ask your local school district to handle the evaluation. Some states require schools to do this if the symptoms are affecting the child’s school work and interactions with students and teachers. (Any decisions regarding medication, however, are for the family to make, in consultation with their physician.)

To request an evaluation by the school, consider asking your child’s teacher whom to contact.

  • Make your request in writing.
  • Include your name, your child’s name, the date, and your reason for requesting an evaluation.
  • Keep a copy of the letter for your own files.

Until the last few years, many school systems were reluctant to evaluate a child for ADHD. Recent laws make it clear, however, that schools must agree to do an evaluation if ADHD could be adversely affecting the child’s school performance. If you need help negotiating with the school, ask a local parent support group or your state Protection & Advocacy agency. To locate your state Protection & Advocacy agency, contact the Center for Mental Health Services at 800-789-2647 or visit their website at www.samhsa.gov.You can also contact Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (www.chadd.org)

Special Education Services

In addition to talking with the teacher about your child’s ADHD, it can be helpful to talk with a guidance counselor at the school. Some children with ADHD get tutoring or counseling at school.

Parent, Child and TeacherIf your ADHD child qualifies for special education services, the school must design an Individualized Education Program (IEP). In planning this program, the school must assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses and work with you.You should be allowed to review your child’s IEP periodically and approve it.

Tell your doctor about any services that the school provides. This will help you and your doctor figure out the best treatment plan for your child.

Helping Your Child Stay Organized

  • Schedule the day. Have the same routine each weekday, from wake-up time to bedtime. Include homework time, outdoor and indoor playtime, and family mealtimes. Post the schedule on your refrigerator or a bulletin board in the kitchen. When you need to make a change, try to schedule it as far in advance as possible.
  • Organize essential items. Designate places for your child’s clothing, backpack, and school supplies. Keep everything in its place.
  • Use home work and notebook organizers. Stress the importance of writing down assignments and bringing books home that will be needed.
  • Provide structure and praise. Children with ADHD need consistent rules that they can understand and follow. When your child follows rules correctly, offer small rewards. Children with ADHD often receive criticism, so they expect negative feedback. Look for good behavior and praise it.
  • List household chores. Include space for your child to check off a chore after completing it.

Sample Chore Charts

Daily Chores
  M T W Th F S Su
Set Dinner Table              
Feed Cats              

 

Saturday Chores
  Date Date Date Date Date
Take Out Garbage          
Straighten Bedroom          
Recycle Newspapers          

Contents
What is ADHD?
How Common is ADHD?
Common Signs and Symptoms
Getting Treatment
Supporting School Success
The Teenage Years
Working Together
Resources

AACAP Answer Center

Family / Youth

  • Facts for Families
  • Resource Centers
  • Getting Help
  • CAP Finder
  • Resource Libraries

Your Career

  • Medical Students
  • Residents & Fellows
  • Early Career Psychiatrists
  • CAP Career FAQs
  • Mentorship Matters
  • Awards

Practice

  • Clinical Practice Guidelines
  • Certification
  • Clinical Practice Center
  • Telepsychiatry
  • Systems & Models
  • Toolbox for Clinical Practice
    and Outcomes

Advocacy

  • How to Be an Advocate
  • Regulatory Issues
  • AACAP PAC
  • Advocacy Grants
  • Legislative Conference
  • Advocacy Updates
  • Statements

Members

  • Membership & Dues
  • Your AACAP Account
  • Member Resources
  • Job Source
  • Committees

Learning

  • Online CME
  • Meetings
  • 2022 Annual Meeting
  • Pathways
  • Continuing Certification
  • Session Recordings

AACAP

  • About AACAP
  • Press/News
  • Transparency and Disclosures
  • Regional Organizations
  • AACAP History
  • Publications
Sign In Join Donate

©2023 The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Contact

3615 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016-3007

Phone: 202.966.7300
Fax: 202.464.0131
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##