​​​​​​​Families living with ADHD

If someone in your family has ADHD, life can be interesting.​ At ADHD New Zealand we've got your back with events, support groups and resources. 

Support groups

Our support groups page shares a number of ways parents and caregivers can connect in-person and online, and links to organisations and resources that can help. 

Support groups (adhd.org.nz) 

Events for parents and caregivers

ADHD New Zealand holds regular Ask an ADHD Coach online sessions aimed at parents and caregivers of children and teens with ADHD.

Our Every Day with ADHD for parents and caregivers courses, run by Tracey Rountree are designed to help better understand ADHD, it's impact on daily life, and the ways it can shape emotions, behaviour and relationships. Keep an eye on our Events page for details: 

Events (adhd.org.nz) 

Interacting with someone who has ADHD can have benefits, but can also be complex. Managing your, and their, expectations may require a multi-tiered approach tailored to their specific needs. 

Click on each heading or "+" to find out more.

Government support for families managing ADHD

​You may be eligible for various government support depending on your situation. Some of these are (click on each heading or "+" to find out more):​​​​​​​

Help at school

If you're worried your child is not progressing at school, either in learning or behaviourally, you can talk to the classroom teacher, the school’s Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) or the principal.

Students with learning or behavioural difficulties may have access to the following assistance options:

• extra assistance

• adapted programmes or learning environments, and/or
  

• specialised equipment or materials.

You can ask for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting.

• This is attended by all the people closely involved with the student to identify needs and set goals.

• It gives the school and home a chance to work together to form strategies and exchange information, and gives the student a better chance of success.

• Make sure roles and responsibilities are allocated and a review date is set.

Your child might be referred to a Resource Teacher: Learning & Behaviour (RTLB).

• These teachers are specially trained and may work in just one school or across a group of schools.

• They might provide direct teaching, or help the classroom teacher or aide with strategies and behavioural management techniques.

Each school receives a Special Education Grant (SEG) to support students with moderate levels of difficulty, however the school sets priorities to best meet these needs. This fund is used for teacher aides etc.​ Various other services are available, though less common. Visit: 

Supporting your child if they need extra help with their learning (education.govt.nz) and Parents and caregivers (education.govt.nz) for more information. 

FAQs on children with ADHD at school​

Q: Teachers don’t seem to understand how ADHD can affect children. What can you do?​

​​​​​​​A: You need to find a way to work with teachers to manage ADHD in the classroom. One way to do this is to get an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) set up. At the IEP you and your support person/advocate will be able to identify, with the teachers, your mutual concerns and what can be done to accommodate your child’s needs.​

The best possible plan is drawn up with everyone’s agreement to be reviewed at a later date.​ Whatever you do, the sooner you do it the better it will be for everyone. The problem won’t go away if you do nothing.

Q: Your child seems okay at school but their behaviour changes when they gets home. Is this normal?
​
​​​​​​​A: Yes it is normal for you to experience this! School life for someone with ADHD can be very stressful. Many are astute enough to know what is required of them to get through the day without getting into too much trouble.

Tension can build up at school by having to behave in a way that is not natural for them. By the end of the day, this tension can reach a tipping point, so when they get home their stress levels are extremely high. This may be what you're seeing.  A suggestion – some team sports or other exercise can be beneficial for relieving some of the stress.

Q: Your family is really stressed out after each school day trying to get the required homework completed. What can you do?​​​​​​​​

A:  Homework should never cause stress, family disharmony or disruption in the home. 

Talk the teacher and ask that, if you make sure your child spends the required time on the homework but does not complete it, this does not incur punishment. ​Home-life is far more important than any homework will ever be.