Supporting Children with ADHD - Resources
Where to get support
- Young person (12-25yrs) – school, headspace, youth centres
- Child – school, GP, Stepping Stones (for those with trauma), Uni clinics or Canberra Developmental Clinic (private).
- Parent
- if you want individualised help, start with GP or Parentline
- support groups in person or online are excellent options
Further information
- ADHD AUSTRALIA
Australian advocacy & information sharing.
Free online training for parents.
- ADHD Foundation
- ADD – ACT Canberra based support group.
- ADHD Support Australia: Online national support group.
- Raising children network - Supporting Teens with ADHD
- ADHD Facebook groups - evidence based, often closed groups so you may need to request access.
- ADHD Information for the Canberra Region (Facebook Group)
Additional resources
Books:
- Parenting ADHD Now!: Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD
- Elaine Taylor-Klaus & Diane Dempster
- Easy read & very popular with parents
- ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
-Judith Kolberg & Kathleen Nadeau
- More geared towards adults or teens
- The Academic Planner for students with ADHD
- Leslie Jones
Podcasts:
- Translating ADHD-Podcast with Cameron Gott & Shelly Collins
- ADHD Experts Podcast: many great guest speakers
- ADHD Essentials Podcast with Brandan Mahan
Treatment Elements – Helpful Changes
At School:
Helpful accommodations include all the following:
- Extended time for tests
- Low distraction space
- Ability to wear noise cancelling headphones
- Additional breaks during extended tests/exams
- Support to break-down & plan complex tasks
- Provisions for recorded lectures or transcriptions of recordings
- Technology/support to take notes
- Meet with school staff/university staff before the course commences to discuss options and support
- Individual examination rooms to minimise distractions
At Home:
- Depending on age – chore lists/tick boxes
- Visual prompts – e.g. wall charts for routines, checklists, post-it notes for reminders
- Clear and simple instructions
- Create a distraction free workspace
- Use behavioural rewards
- “Gamify” required tasks
- Be clear on expectations of the child/young person
- Visible clocks – use of reminders, alarms
- Encourage creating “homes” for storing items/things needed