ADHD + End Of School Year

Have you heard of the condition ‘Endofyearitis’?

You know ‘End-of-year-itis’

The condition when your child goes into complete shut down, behaviour is spiralling and there may be confrontation.

This is real.

Your child with ADHD may find it really, really hard to cope with the end of the school academic year.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

Out of routine. There may be last minute changes to the timetable which are unfamiliar or they may be required to wear different clothes which feel uncomfortable or strange
Extra curricular activities, such as Sports Day, leavers’ assemblies, plays, trips which all come with different expectations of behaviour and an overload of sensory experiences
A lot of discussion about ‘next year’. So new teacher, new room, new procedure or maybe new key stage or new school which causes worry and uncertainty
Saying goodbye is hard. Our children get emotionally flooded very quickly and they may feel shamed or embarrassed about getting upset

Your child needs certainty and routine and change is unsettling
Your child may catastrophise and overthink scenarios then get emotionally overwhelmed
They may be unsure of the expectations or rules of a new activity
Your child may be completely mentally exhausted after exams or a long term as they were putting in a huge effort to focus
There may be increased social pressures which your child may find challenging

Anxiety and worry that the demands are changing that may look like an emotional shut down
Less focus and concentration as executive functioning just cannot cope
More impulsive, hyperactive behaviour which may result in more punishments and detentions
Resistant behaviour leading to confrontation and rudeness
If your child is not engaged or motivated by an activity they will become bored then disruptive
Unable to focus on organisational skills so may miss deadlines or may be late for a lesson
Increased difficulty in attending school

The main thing is that as parents you are aware of what is happening at the end of the school year.

Talk about this at home with your child
Make all emotions okay. It is usual to feel sad, bored or angry
Take off the pressure at home. Plan enjoyable things to do after school and at the weekend. Use a planner or calendar
If an activity at school during this period is unsuitable, ask for alternatives. For example, can your child be involved in making props for the play rather than sitting for hours on end during rehearsals and becoming bored
Prepare the new teacher or school. Set up a meeting to discuss exactly what your child needs. Do this before they break up for the summer holidays
Ask your child to write a letter to the new teacher to introduce themselves. Outline their interests but also what they need help with
Make a booklet with photos of the new teacher or school for your child to refer to over the summer
Buy the uniform and equipment early so they have plenty of time to get used to it

End of school year is a tough time for our children with ADHD.

So we must support them and make it okay with kindness and understanding.

Love,

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