Why Children With ADHD Need Structure and Routines

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsValue of StructureADHD-Friendly ScheduleSample ScheduleFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Value of Structure

ADHD-Friendly Schedule

Sample Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you’re parenting a child withattention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), you’ve likely heard how important it is to expose your child to routines and a structured environment. But what does that mean exactly, and how does structure help? Getting a better understanding of why routines are helpful can help you develop one that will work for you and your child.

ADHD in Babies: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

The Value of Schedules and Structure

Structure means that the environment is organized and predictable. Structure is important for all children, but it can be particularly important if you areparenting children with ADHD.

One review found that all children, no matter their age, are better able to regulate their behavior when families follow a predictable routine.

Having a routine can benefit your child with ADHD and the rest of the family. Structure is beneficial for several reasons:

In a structured environment, your child knows what to expect. This knowledge creates a sense of security, so most children benefit from structure whether they have ADHD or not.

Structure is a lot likescaffolding. In other words, the routines, reminders, and limits you set, and the consistency you provide gives your child the support they need to be successful and develop greater competence. As a result, your child’s self-confidence grows. Eventually, this will help your child develop skills to organize and structure their lives as they move into adulthood.

How to Organize Your Home to Help a Child With ADHD

How to Create an ADHD-Friendly Schedule

It is important to develop a schedule that works for your child’s needs. While your specific schedule will vary based on what is right for your family, following some strategies can help you design one that will be easy for your child to follow.

Provide Limited Choices

One way to simplify your child’s schedule is to provide them with limited choices. For example, rather than asking what they would like for breakfast, give them two or three options to choose from. This will help them to feel in control while still providing structure.

Be Specific

Be specific and break big tasks up into smaller ones. For example, instead of “chore time,” list the specific things your child will be doing, such as “pick up toys,” “feed dog,” or “sweep kitchen floor.” Breaking up bigger tasks into smaller steps will help keep your child’s attention and prevent them from feeling overwhelmed.

Include Visual Cues

Visual cues can be helpful for children with ADHD.Use a visual schedule to show your child what activities they will be doing throughout the day. You can use pictures, words, or even simple drawings to represent each activity. Place the schedule in a visible location and review it with your child regularly.

Children with ADHD often benefit from having opportunities to move throughout the day.Plan for some physical activity every few hours. This can be as simple as going for a short walk or playing a quick game of catch.

Be Flexible

While it is important to have a schedule, it is also important to be flexible. When possible, let your child choose which activity they would like to do next, or let them take a break if they are feeling overwhelmed. You may need to adjust your schedule from day to day based on your child’s needs.

It’s important to be consistent and stick with the schedule even if your child resists at first. This can be challenging and it’s important to stay somewhat flexible—just be sure that you don’t give up too quickly.

RecapCreating an ADHD-friendly schedule can help your child to feel more in control and reduce the likelihood of meltdowns or tantrums. By providing structure and visual cues, you can help your child to stay on track throughout the day.

Recap

Creating an ADHD-friendly schedule can help your child to feel more in control and reduce the likelihood of meltdowns or tantrums. By providing structure and visual cues, you can help your child to stay on track throughout the day.

Sample Schedule for Kids With ADHD

Your own schedule might be a bit different, but looking at a sample schedule can provide some insight into how you might want to structure your child’s day.

Morning:

Afternoon:

Evening:

A Word From Verywell

Establishing structure and routine isn’t always easy, particularly if you have adult ADHD. It may take some time and practice to figure out what will work for you. Not only can this help your child, but it will also help you feel less stressed and minimize conflicts within the family.

Helpful ADHD Resources

Because it is harder for kids with ADHD to stay focused, frequent breaks are important. The best approach is to break up study sessions into shorter periods of no more than one hour each throughout the entire day rather than trying to do everything in one long session in the evening.

In addition to helping your teen plan their day, give them tools that can help keep them on task. Timers can be helpful when your child needs to focus on a task for a set period of time. Daily planners and visual calendars can also help your teen keep track of projects and see their progress. Creating an organized space and eliminating clutter are also important for helping teens stay focused.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Fiese BH, Tomcho TJ, Douglas M, Josephs K, Poltrock S, Baker T.A review of 50 years of research on naturally occurring family routines and rituals: cause for celebration?J Fam Psychol. 2002;16(4):381-90. doi:10.1037//0893-3200.16.4.381

Thomas N, Karuppali S.The efficacy of visual activity schedule intervention in reducing problem behaviors in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder between the age of 5 and 12 years: A systematic review.Soa Chongsonyon Chongsin Uihak. 2022;33(1):2-15. doi:10.5765/jkacap.210021

Eilam D, Izhar R, Mort J.Threat detection: behavioral practices in animals and humans.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2011;35(4):999-1006. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.08.002

Wennberg B, Janeslätt G, Kjellberg A, Gustafsson PA.Effectiveness of time-related interventions in children with ADHD aged 9-15 years: a randomized controlled study.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018;27(3):329-342. doi:10.1007/s00787-017-1052-5

Collins K.Strategies/techniques for ADHD. The Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services.

Rabinovici GD, Stephens ML, Possin KL.Executive dysfunction.Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2015;21(3 Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry):646-659. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000466658.05156.54

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