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Back-To-School Organizing Tips For Busy Parents with Students with ADHD

Writer's picture: Kiera MalowitzKiera Malowitz

Updated: Jul 30, 2024

Yikes! Where did the summer go?! Whether you’ve been running your kids around from camp to various activities or they are old enough to have worked this summer, or you had a more laid-back schedule, as much as it does not feel like it, it’s time to get organized for back-to-school. And I’m not just talking about shopping for school supplies or making sure your kids have that cute new outfit for the first day of school (although these are definitely must-dos!). Every new season involves some prep work so below are tips for back-to-school organizing as well as tips included for those of us parents that have kids with ADHD.


decluttered desk area for students with ADHD to focus

Create a Schedule with Established Clear Routines

Start by outlining a daily or weekly schedule that includes school schedules and extracurricular activities, appointments etc and depending on the age of your kids, they too can outline a schedule of class times, study sessions, extracurricular activities, and downtime. Use a planner or a digital calendar to stay organized. We personally use our family Google Calendar to keep work and the kids schedules straight!


Once you have all the big stuff on your calendar, develop consistent daily routines for everyone in the house for waking up, studying, completing homework, and going to bed. Predictable routines can help manage impulsivity and improve focus for students with ADHD.


Set Goals with Daily Checklists

Establish realistic goals for work for the adults and the semester or school year for the kids. Break them down into smaller milestones to track progress and stay motivated. 


If you have middle school, high school or college aged kids with ADHD, it’s especially important for them to have a planner where they can outline daily tasks and routines in a checklist format. Checking off items as they complete them helps provide a sense of accomplishment and maintain motivation. Also, have them record assignments and due dates as soon as they are given. Review the planner or calendar daily to ensure they are aware of upcoming deadlines and can plan accordingly.


Organize Your Work/Study Space to Have Minimal Distractions 

Designate a quiet, clutter-free area at home for work for you if you work from home, and studying for the kid(s). Keep essential supplies (like pens, notebooks, and textbooks) within reach to minimize distractions and also have available tactile tools like fidget toys or stress balls to help maintain focus.

Have readily available noise-canceling headphones and a quiet space to study for your students with ADHD. This last part can be challenging when you have other kids in the house so do the best that you can in the space that you have. Creating a distraction-free study environment whenever possible is key. 


Use a To-Do List and Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

These days kids have everything on their devices to help keep track of assignments, projects and deadlines, but having both you and them make a to-do list is helpful. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance to stay on top of the workload.


Large assignments or projects can feel overwhelming so have your student break them down into smaller, manageable tasks with specific deadlines to reduce stress and improve productivity.


For our younger kids that do not have personal devices to help them, typically the teachers send home a folder that has the work they need to complete that day, as well as what needs to come back to them the next day. The key here is to have your kids check it as soon as they are home so that they can get their homework done. And I always recommend having a drop zone of additional papers that you need to review so that they do not get lost on the kitchen counter!

paper zone for students to stay organized at home

Prepare in Advance for Self-Care and Less Rushing Around

Have your kids pack their backpacks or bags the night before with all necessary materials for the next day, including textbooks, notebooks, and any completed homework. For younger kids, I like to have them pick out their clothes the night before so that there is less chaos when waking up.


On the same note, if you have not done this before or it dropped off in the summer, start using your weekend time to grocery shop and plan meals. Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and physical activity is part of taking care of your overall well-being and can improve concentration, mood, and energy levels, making it easier to stay organized and focused. A predictable schedule can reduce stress and improve productivity.


Utilize Technology for All These Back-To-School Organizing Tips

Explore apps and digital tools designed for students, such as calendar apps, note-taking apps, and productivity tools that can help streamline your organization efforts. Task managers with reminder features or apps that help with creating study schedules are helpful to students with ADHD. We are still on the hunt for what apps we like so feel free to share what you like in the comments!


Gather Your List of Support

As much as we want our kids to succeed independently, it’s important to have your kids reach out to teachers, classmates, or academic support services if they need help with understanding assignments or managing their workload. Have a list of your child’s teachers, contact information and office/after-school hours readily available so that when the time comes, you can help them find the support they need.


It’s also okay for you or your child to inform teachers and school counselors about their ADHD and discuss strategies that may help them succeed academically. They may provide additional resources and accommodations.


Make Time to Celebrate the Wins, Review and Reflect 

Take time each week to review progress, adjust the schedule or study habits if necessary, and celebrate achievements. Positive reinforcement can boost self-esteem and motivation to continue practicing good organizational habits. And reflecting on how things are going can help the kids stay motivated and improve over time.


These strategies can help students with ADHD effectively manage their schoolwork and stay organized throughout the academic year. And back-to-school-organizing tips for busy parents are key in finding your way through the school year successfully. Each individual may find different techniques more effective, so it's important to experiment and find what works best for you.

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