Avoiding and procrastinating
Get tips on how to stop procrastination and avoidance for people with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. Learn strategies to help kids with school refusal and anxiety.
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Tips and strategies
- Quick tipRemind them of past successes.
Point out something they achieved in the past. Have them remember what it felt like. Then connect that success to the new challenge: “You finished all your homework last Tuesday. You have the same amount tonight. I know you can do it.”
- Quick tipFind out what’s worrying them.
Is there anything about today in particular that’s causing stress? Some kids refuse to go to school on certain days or to do certain kinds of work. Or they may be anxious about a change in routine or worried about something going on at home.
- Quick tipPlan “brain breaks.”
Plan to take a break before frustration or lack of focus sets in. For grade-schoolers, that’s typically after 10 to 15 minutes of work. Older students can work for up to 20 to 30 minutes before a break. Set timers for when to start and end each break.
Podcast
School refusal: When kids say no
School refusal is real, and it’s trying to tell you something. But how do you figure out what that is?
Downloads
ADHD fact sheetPDF
6 common myths about learning and thinking differencesPDF
ADHD icebergPDF
Getting ready for schoolPDF
More resources
All articles
- 6 steps to help high-schoolers with ADHD create a time management system
- 6 reasons why kids refuse to read
- Why “just try harder” is a myth
- 9 key facts about learning disabilities and ADHD
- Why kids with executive function challenges have trouble starting tasks
- How a token board motivated my students who learn and think differently
- ADHD and “analysis paralysis”
- School refusal: How to help kids cope
- What to say when your child doesn’t want to go to school
- Everyday challenges for people who struggle with executive function
- Why kids with executive function challenges have trouble with planning
- ADHD and the myth of laziness
- Learning and thinking differences that cause trouble with time management
- Download: Find out why your child doesn’t like going to school
- School refusal: What it means when kids won’t do schoolwork
- Understanding why kids struggle with organization
- What to do when kids refuse to put on certain clothing
- ADHD and lying: Why kids with ADHD might lie a lot
- Child can’t wind down at night? Why some kids struggle to go to sleep
- Child procrastinating? Why kids struggle with time management
- Why kids have trouble following a routine or schedule