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Back to School Anxiety

Back to School Anxiety

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In the United States, approximately 6.4 million children have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many of these children go on to lead successful lives, but for some, the transition back to school can be anxiety-inducing. There are a number of reasons why kids with ADHD may feel anxious about going back to school. For one, they may be worried about meeting new people and fitting in. Additionally, they may be concerned about keeping up with their peers academically. ADHD can make it difficult for kids to focus in class, learn new material and perform well in assignments. This can make getting a good education difficult and stressful for kids with ADHD. Kids with ADHD may have a hard time following directions, paying attention, and completing tasks. They may also be easily distractible, impulsive, and have a hard time sitting still. These symptoms can make schoolwork and homework challenging. In addition, kids with ADHD may struggle with making and keeping friends.

This is from the website Keywell.com.au.

Please feel free to copy the 11 things that can help your child's teacher understand their needs.

"Dear ______(Teacher) here are 11 things about me that might help you understand and bring out the Best in Me. (From Keywell.com.au)".

1. I have trouble organizing my thoughts.

You can help me by giving me a few extra minutes to answer questions

2. I become overwhelmed by multi-step instructions and forget what to do.

You can help me by splitting the request into smaller steps

3. My working memory is not as good as my peers.

You can help me by giving me extra prompts about important things like notes and my hat

4. I can easily lose track of the time.

You can help me by checking in with me throughout a task.

5. I find it hard to stop and start tasks when other people ask.

You can help me by giving me reminders and a clear finishing Point

for each activity

6. I have an interest-based brain.

You can help me by giving me extra assistance with getting started

on some activities.

7. My hands and legs feel like they have a life of their own.

You can help me by agreeing on a way to keep them busy so I don't just disrupt others.

8. My body needs to move so my mind can be calm.

You could help me by not taking away my recess if I break a rule.

9. I can be very chatty and I don't know when to stop.

You can help me by agreeing with me on a discrete signal to remind me to be quiet.

10. I hear negative comments all day.

You could help me by finding positive things to build my confidence.

11. I find it hard to control my emotions.

You can help me by providing a safe space for me to cool down without shame.

You are my safe adult at school and hope you can see that I am more than the sum of my deficits

Lastly, you should verify and acknowledge their feelings. But don't stop there. Remind them of their glowing areas or ass I like to call them, their "Super Powers". Artistic talent and athletic ability may not help them pass math exams, but those advantages set them apart from their peers. Plus, the skills they are learning now — namely resilience and confidence — will serve them later in life.