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3 Organizing Tips for Kids with ADD

Tracking PixelKeeping your ADHD child focused is the key to their success in school. Here are 3 Organizing Tips for Kids with ADD to have a great year!

These 3 Organizing Tips for Kids with ADD was sponsored by Office Depot, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

ADD Organization for Kids

Brady’s always made good grades at school. Overall. But we noticed a trend in 3rd grade.

Homework was constantly coming home with comments on it. Most of it was along the lines of “pay attention”, “this was an open book test”, and take your time.

And then there was the homework. Trying to get her to focus was nearly impossible. She resisted doing any way she could think of.

Brady would kick and squirm in the dining room chair. Even on the easiest ones where the answers were obvious. We both ended up frustrated and angry after school every day.

My husband and I started researching and trying to figure out what was going on. I ended up asking the teacher directly if she thought Brady had ADD. The teacher said she wasn’t allowed to say but she agreed there were signs and we were on the right track.

Over the summer, her pediatrician confirmed a diagnosis of ADD Inattentive. She said ADD in girls is usually harder for teachers to notice because they don’t cause disruptions for the class. Those kids are just day-dreamers and stuck in their head.

Last year for 4th grade was her first time on medication. We’ve never noticed a difference with Brady on the meds or off of them. But that’s likely because they wear off before she comes home. And, we don’t give them to her on weekends or holidays.

And because our district decided to do away with homework aside from reading after school, we couldn’t even compare the homework experience.

We just had Brady’s well-child check again last week. I told the pediatrician Brady didn’t feel a difference being on the meds. Since Brady hasn’t noticed a difference on ADD medication, we made the decision to take her off of it temporarily.

It’s obvious that as kids progress, each grade gets harder. But I’ve heard middle school is a whole other world. And it counts way more than it did when I was going to middle school.

I know 5th grade is going to be a lot of Brady. Switching up what she’s always known for classes (they actually change in 5th here).
I want to make sure she can navigate this new day with control and excitement instead of fear and anxiety.

To get ready for this new transition and trial run without meds, I figured we should try and get her organized to help her stay focused and avoid missing anything. I’m a total planner and paper person, so I’m sharing how I organize for kids with ADD.

3 Organizing Tips for Kids with ADD

1. Planner.

People with ADD can easily become overwhelmed and forgetful. Having a place to write down homework and important dates is so important. So we headed to Office Depot to grab Brady her own organizing supplies. 

Girl with ADD buying planning supplies.

Since they were out of the TUL® student planners, we opted for a TUL® Teacher Planner instead. We’ll have to modify it slightly, but it should work for keeping Brady organized. There’s something about writing things down that turns things you think about and know you need to do into action items.

Notebooks, planners, and colorful pens are the keys to success for a child with ADD.

2. Notebook with folders.

Staying focused is another challenge for kids with ADD. Keeping a notebook nearby will give kids a place to write down random, distracting thoughts. 

The TUL® 3 Subject Notebook is perfect for kids. On top of the blank pages, there are folders to keep homework, reading logs, and chore charts.

Girl with ADD taking notes with colored pens.

3. Colorful pens.

Colorful pens take organizing to the next level. I use them for my own planner and know how much they help. Brady loves color and having her own set of TUL® Pens makes planning and organizing more exciting for her. Assigning a different pen for each topic will help her get an overview of what’s due or needs to be done, and when. Helping her get organized and express herself at the same time should help give her a good start to the new school year.

Young girl with ADHD taking notes to brain dump and color coding.

Even though we’re taking our last RV trip of the summer, Brady’s eager to get a head start on planning for the new school year! She’s seen me with my paper planner and pens and always wants to try it too so this is the perfect opportunity to let her try things out! 

Check out Office Depot’s Back to School supplies here. Learn more about Office Depot here

Do you have any other ADD organizing tips? Share them with me in the comments!

Office Depot sponsored this post, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

More tips for kids with ADD and ADHD:

Elia Garrison

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

Thanks for sharing these tips. I definitley need them for my son. These products look like must haves!

Jennifer Soltys

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

I think these are great tips for anyone and everyone!! I am a planner addict myself. Side note: I like her shirt, too!

Jared

Wednesday 4th of September 2019

My wife and 2 kids have ADD so I know a lot about how structure and organization are key! Looks like you are setting her up for a productive school year.

Annemarie LeBlanc

Thursday 15th of August 2019

Those notebooks. pens and planner are all so beautiful. I just love getting new notebooks and planners for myself. I love that the notebook with folders. That will be a big help for me to keep all important papers and receipts in place.

Ruth I

Thursday 15th of August 2019

This in incredible way to organize. A planner would be incredible. Your ideas are amazing.