Learn

• There are many books written for and about children with ADHD. Visit your library
  or bookstore to browse their selection. Or ask your doctor for their recommendations.
• There are also many websites that you can turn to for information and advice. Ask a parent or caregiver to help you find accurate, reliable sources.

Develop a routine

• Develop a routine – and stick with it. This can help set and manage other people’s
  expectations as well as your own, and even help you remember to take your medicine.
• Talk to your parents, teachers, and doctor about what routines you find helpful at home
  or school.

Gain helpful skills

• Get someone to teach you strategies for staying organized, dealing with intense
  emotions, and remembering to do important tasks.

Talk

• Talk openly and honestly to your parents, your doctor, teachers, friends.
• Discuss your feelings and talk about difficulties you may be having at home, at school,
  or with friends.
• The more others know about you, the better equipped they will be to help you.

At home:

• Promote safety and structure in the home.
• Use visual reminders to create structure and promote family communication.
• Monitor homework output and use a clock timer to divide tasks into “bite-sized chunks”.
• Offer support and feedback.
• Build your child’s confidence by discovering and reinforcing those things that they
  enjoy and/or do well.
• Use daily positive report cards to encourage positive habit development.

Learn

• Visit websites for information, tips, tools, and resources on ADHD.
• Learn about, and take advantage of, any accommodations that you can access at school.

Talk

• Let your parents and teachers know what types of things you find helpful when dealing with your ADHD.
• Advocate for your needs in the school system, and ask your school to put the
  appropriate accommodations in place to assist you – and others like you – with your
  ADHD symptoms.
• Talk to your parents, teachers, and any other adults about your feelings and concerns
  about your ADHD.
• If you have felt pressure to experiment with drugs, talk to someone you trust. This could
  be a good friend, your parent, a teacher or older sibling.
• If you’re struggling with low self-esteem, don’t do it alone. Turn to those that you feel
  comfortable sharing your feelings with – it’s possible they are feeling the same way and
  can lend a supportive ear.

Learn

• Read, watch and listen to reliable sources of information about ADHD.
• Websites put out by the Canadian government, hospitals, and non-profit
  organizations are credible sources.

Take advantage of technology

• Use programmable watches, electronic organizers, and smart phones to help stay
  organized and to set up useful reminders.
• Use assistive and organizational technologies, such as writing and communication
  software to help manage written tasks.

Talk

• Look online for support groups in your area.