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Children with ADHD are often overwhelmed by what might seem like simple tasks. You can make it easier to achieve tasks by breaking them down into smaller steps, sometimes called "chunking." Teachers don't tell students they have a 10-page research paper with citations due in a month, then walk off and expect success. They pass out written instructions with the assignment chunked into milestones with deadlines. Students get feedback at every stage of the process. Parents can do the same with chores, establishing routines that reflect consistent instructions. For example, if your child is responsible for loading the dishwasher, you might break up the task in this way: First load all the plates on the bottom. Now load all glasses on the top. Next is silverware and so on. To ensure the child heard and understood the instructions you gave, ask her or him to repeat back what you said. This allows you to verify that the child understood, so you can clarify if necessary. It can also help reinforce the task in the child's mind There are several types of reminders you can provide that can help a child with ADHD stay focused and on task. For cleanup tasks, you can create a system that uses color-coded bins or shelves. Written labels and pictures can also help the child remember what goes where at cleanup time. A checklist, day-planner, calendar, or chore-board can also be helpful for children struggling with focus issues. At school, try to organize a "homework buddy" to help remind the child of school tasks they need to accomplish. Young people in general don't have a very precise sense of time. Children with ADHD struggle with this even more. To help a child with ADHD follow instructions in a timely manner, its important to help with these clock issues. For example, set out a kitchen timer. Let the child know you'd like to see the task completed the before it beeps. Or, play some music the child is familiar with. Tell him or her you want the task completed before the music is over, or before a particular song ends. As the child accomplishes each step of the task, praise him or her. This will help build his or her self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. Providing praise at each step increases the chances of future successes, too. Making chores fun can help reduce the stress that an ADHD child may feel when taking on a new task. Here are a few ideas: Give instructions using silly voices. Try role-playing. Pretend to be a character from a book, movie or TV show, and/or invite your child to do so. For example, your child could dress up as Cinderella on chore day, while you play music from the movie. If the child starts to get stressed out, make the next chore a silly one, or assign a silly movement to do or sound to make while working. Don't be afraid to take a snack break if things get too rough.
Break it down into steps. Ask the child to repeat what you've said. Provide reminders. Help with time issues. Provide praise at each step. Make it fun.