Going back to school after winter break can be hard for any family, but having a child with ADHD can present different challenges. 

Children with ADHD can experience difficulty with transitions, especially when moving from a highly-stimulating activity to one that is less so, especially if that activity causes them stress. That’s because people with ADHD experience motivation from things that stimulate their brains and avoid things that don’t.

A break from school is when children relax, have fun, and have less structure away from the pressures of school. Pressures at school include the high demands of classroom etiquette, staying focused, keeping track of school assignments, and socializing with peers. 

When returning to school after winter break, children with ADHD may express refusal to go back, trouble getting out of bed, emotional dysreguation, and difficulty getting organized and out of the door in time to make it to class. This can be stressful for children and parents, but preparation can help. Here are some tips to help your child go back to school with confidence.

Start by preparing your child ahead of time.

This means reminding your child when school is starting up again. Reminders can be verbal or visual like setting up a countdown on the fridge. The goal is to keep this upcoming change in their awareness so it doesn’t take them by surprise when it arrives. Another way to prepare them ahead of time is to talk about this upcoming transition with them. If they’re expressing refusal to go back to school, explore that with them by asking open-ended questions about what makes them not want to go to school. Then name the issues and help them problem-solve around them. 

Get organized.

Co-create a list with your child about the things they’ll need for their  first day back to school. This can be gathering their backpack, specific notebooks and materials for school, and making sure assignments are complete. Have them check off the items and tasks on this list as they complete them.

Return to your regular routine.

This means getting your child back into “school mode” by returning to your usual routines. A few days before school starts, bedtimes should be consistent to how they were when school was in session, as well as waking up at the time they would for school. If they’re having trouble falling asleep, help them find strategies for sleep . For wake-up times, consider having them wake up gradually towards their usual wake-up time for school so that it gets easier to wake up on time when school is back in session.

Give your child clear instructions on what to do to get ready.

Making a list with simple steps of what your child should do to get ready in the morning can make getting out of the door easier. Repetition matters to help children with ADHD stay on track. So don’t shy away from repeating instructions to your child. 

Use Calming Strategies.

Help your child choose calming strategies they can use if they’re feeling overwhelmed the day school starts up again. This can be taking in slow deep breaths, as well as verbalizing when they’re stressed. Be sure to practice before school starts.

Make going back to school fun.

Make your family’s morning routine fun, such as making getting ready into a game where your child can earn a reward. You can also make the ride to school fun by playing music they like or playing a game on the way to school. Children with ADHD thrive when you gamify things for them. It stimulates their brains. 

Give feedback and praise.

So often children with ADHD experience criticism for not doing things “right”, which can be demotivating. Children thrive when their efforts are acknowledged and are more likely to do what’s “right” when they feel seen. So make sure to point out when your child is doing well and praise them for it!

If you try these strategies and your child still has a difficult time going back to school after winter break, that’s okay! Sometimes no matter how prepared you may be, your child may still experience stress and discomfort. You are all trying your best. Keep moving forward and try again the next day. It takes time to build up to your routine again, even after school starts. Reminding yourself and your child that it will take time can help ease the pressure to get it right the first day of school after the holidays. 

If you or someone you know is struggling to help to their child with transitions, our therapists Shantal Placido, LCSW; Spencer McCauley, LCSW; and Teresa Giolitto, LMFT are here to help you navigate changes with confidence and support. 

Please email us at spencerstherapypractice@gmail.com or click the green “Contact Us” button at the upper right hand corner of the page.

Author: Shantal Placido, LCSW