Student Planners: Essential Tools for ADHD Success!

Student planners are often seen as essential for success in school, but for a student with ADHD, using one can feel like a tremendous hassle. However, instead of viewing them as a restrictive tool, consider a planner to be a "playbook for life". It can help students with ADHD play offense by managing their homework and making time for fun activities, while also playing defense by guarding against distractions that can pull them off track.

The core issue for students with ADHD isn't a lack of ability to focus, but a difficulty in regulating their attention span. This is why students with ADHD might hyperfocus on a high-interest activity like video games, but struggle with less enjoyable and mundane tasks like homework. A student planner (sometimes called an agenda or organizer) can help students manage their attention and priorities more effectively. At Huntington Learning Center, for students getting homework help, we start with building the habit of checking student planners at the beginning of every homework tutoring session.

Here are some tips for setting up and using a planner for a child with ADHD:

• Choose the Right Planner: Select a thin, spiral-bound planner with a weekly page layout and sufficient space for writing things down. (Keep it simple, with minimal distractions!) Use a binder clip, paper clip, or sticky plastic tab to mark the current week, making it easy to access with a single flip. In Elk Grove, schools and/or PTAs often provide for free or sell student planners at cost - so be sure to check!
  

• Keep it Accessible: The planner should be stored in a place that requires no more than two small actions to retrieve, such as the front pocket of a backpack. It should ALWAYS be stored in the same place. (Give your student a small treat for a couple of weeks if they manage to consistently do that every time you check - this will help cement that habit!)
  

• Write Quickly and Consistently: Encourage your child to use "texting" language to keep up with the class. “Math h/w pg 8-9, Q1-25 (even only)” or “Pack gym clothes.” It's crucial to write everything down and never rely on memory, as this frees up valuable mental bandwidth and reduces pressure on the frontal cortex.

• Review Weekly as a Family: Hold a family meeting every Sunday evening to discuss the upcoming week's schedules, events, and deadlines. Everyone should bring their planner (or digital calendar) to discuss. This models the importance of "thinking forward" and helps everyone collaborate and stay on track.