I am so sorry to talk about Christmas in November. But as a former teacher I know that schools will be gearing up now for the big festivities.

Perhaps they will be practicing the Christmas play or nativity, learning lyrics for a Christmas concert, or begin talking about a Christmas party or celebration.

Lessons will soon have a Christmas theme and there may be a trip or outing.

Then finally as the end of term approaches, there will be changes to the timetable and spontaneous activities popping up.

This all sounds quite harmless and teachers have the best intentions.

But for our little people with ADHD this time of year can be problematic.

HOW TO HELP NOW

Set up a meeting now with the class teacher or form tutor.

Let them know the potential problems and suggest some ways that will help….

OVER STIMULATED

There is an overwhelm of sensory experiences at Christmas that can cause your child to react badly. Sounds, smells, tinsel, lights and music. Your child may get over excited at the thought of a trip out of school. They may be told off, reprimanded or punished which clearly will effect their time at school.

HOW SCHOOL CAN HELP

If something is getting too much, have a space or place your child can go instead for a short while. They may need to get outside or be given a specific task. This is not a punishment. It is having time to regulate until they can re-join.

Or they may be able to be useful elsewhere in the school, perhaps to help with a younger age group. This is a wonderful way to make your child feel included, wanted and useful.

If there is a trip out of school, this should never be taken away as a punishment nor should parents be expected to accompany their child. Extra staff should be used if necessary as this is a ‘reasonable adjustment’.

OUT OF ROUTINE

The school timetable is very fluid this time of year. There can be changes at very short notice and standard lessons may be abandoned. This is very tricky for your child to manage as they go to school with uncertainty which can be very unsettling for neurodiverse pupils.

HOW SCHOOL CAN HELP

Request that a planner is used every day to let your child know what is happening. Ideally this should be shared at the end of the day for the following day so there are no surprises.

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BORED

If your child with ADHD is not interested in an activity they will become bored and perhaps disruptive. Practicing a concert or play for endless hours can feel pointless and repetitive. An ADHD brain is seeking dopamine, interest and excitement. If something is boring then they will look for that excitement, which again may result unwanted behaviour then punishments or exclusion.

HOW SCHOOL CAN HELP

Teachers can be encouraged to find a way to make the activity more interesting and relevant for your child. Ask them what they need. Maybe they could be in charge of lighting at the Christmas play, or design a brochure for the concert. Your child will know what interests or excites them to keep them engaged and onboard.

END-OF-TERM-ITIS

All pupils by the end of the Autumn term are exhausted after weeks of early mornings, homework challenges and longer, darker, colder days.

Add in the extra effort that your child with ADHD has to make to focus, concentrate, work on relationships and keep control of their emotions. By the end of term this effort becomes too much and they may shut down or explode.

HOW SCHOOL CAN HELP

Teachers should be mindful of the effort it takes for your child to be in school all day. Request that there are areas your child can go and ‘reasonable adjustments’ that are put in place for them to accommodate their needs at this tricky time of year.

AND FINALLY……….

Your reaction matters.

If you understand that there will be a change in behaviour and understand what is causing it, then you can react with love, support and kindness.

Remember your child wants to go to school and fit in, wants to be liked and have friends.

School may become a sad place because there is an unrealistic expectation of the adults…particularly at Christmas.

So set up that meeting with the class teacher or form tutor. Prepare some suggestions and explain how to make your little person’s time at school a happy one this Christmas.

Love,

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ADHD + Christmas At School