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FAMILies managing adhd

Photo by Sasint
If someone in your family has ADHD, life can be interesting.

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

​Click on each heading or "+" to find out more.
Understanding and accepting
ADHD can be very difficult for you, however, it's vital that everyone (your extended family, teachers, youth workers and co-workers) understands and knows what's expected of them.

​You can all make a positive impact on someone living with ADHD by showing appreciation and acknowledgement of them.
Family counselling
This can play an important part in your family dynamics, providing the counsellor has good knowledge of ADHD. Check this before starting. Siblings often struggle to cope with the challenges of living with a brother or sister who receives extra attention. 
Parenting courses ​
These can play an important role in managing your child with ADHD.
  • ADHD NZ offer it's own Everyday with ADHD parenting course run by Tracey Rountree
  • ADHD NZ supports Jenny Tebbutt's online webinars:
    • Practical Strategies and Resources for Growing Great Children with Learning Difficulties and Differences, and
    • Growing Great Children with Learning Difficulties and Differences.
  • Incredible Years is widely available and is free. For details see the Ministry of Education website or check out our supporting organisations.

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):
Child Disability Allowance (WINZ)
Children who are under 17 years and have severe ADHD are entitled to this allowance.

This allowance does not depend on income or costs and helps those caring for children with a disability at home. 
​
For details see the Work and Income New Zealand website or check out our supporting organisations. ​
​ 
Disability Allowance (WINZ)
Getting the allowance depends on your income, assets and costs. 

​This allowance can help with costs like regular visits to the doctor, hospital, medicines, extra clothes, food or travel.

For details see the Work and Income New Zealand website or check out our supporting organisations. 
Childcare Assistance (WINZ)
The level of Childcare Assistance support is based on your income and number of children you have.

​It provides financial support for childcare and out-of-school care and includes Childcare Subsidy 
for pre-school children, Out-of-School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) subsidy for children aged 5 – 13 years. 

For details see the Work and Income New Zealand website or check out our supporting organisations. 

Carer Support
Carer Support is funded by the Ministry of Health and is based on an assessment by a Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) agency.

It 
offers the carer/support person a break by helping to pay for an alternative carer for an agreed number of days. Carer support days can also be used to pay for various after school and recreational programmes. 
​
For details see the Ministry of Health website or check out our supporting organisations.

Help at school

If you're worried that your child is not progressing at school, either in learning or behaviour, then 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 teaching 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. For details see the Ministry of Education website or check out our supporting organisations.
​

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 OK at school but his behaviour changes when he 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, cause family disharmony or disruption in the home. 

Talk to the teacher and ask that if you make sure your child spends the required time on the homework but does not complete it in that time, that this not incur punishment.

​Home-life is far more important than any homework will ever be.

​The messy student's guide to order: ADHD organising tips
​The messy student's guide to order: ADHD organising tips
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The material on our website is provided for educational purposes only. Your use of our website is governed by our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer. We are a not-for-profit organisation that can provide you with ongoing support in your ADHD journey. However, we do not provide medical advice, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Your GP can recommend a suitable healthcare professional to you.

What's ADHD?

Adults with ADHD
​Children and teens with ADHD
​ADHD is more common than you think
Why it's good to have ADHD
​Inspiring stories from people who have ADHD
​
News and research

Have you got ADHD?

Think you're an adult with ADHD?
Think your child has ADHD?
How to get a diagnosis for ADHD

Getting an assessment and diagnosis of ADHD
Self-screening tool for adults with ADHD
Co-morbidities
​
FAQs

Succeed with ADHD

Find healthcare professionals near you
The different types of healthcare professionals
​
Get help with these products and services
Become a member of ADHD NZ's community
Managing ADHD
Families living with ADHD
​Tips on how to support children with ADHD
ADHD in tertiary education organisations
​
Tips for adults managing life and ADHD
Get support from other organisations
​ADHD medication
​ADHD stimulant medication
​ADHD non-stimulant medication
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Vlogs and blogs on ADHD

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Picture
  • What is ADHD?
    • Adults with ADHD
    • Children and teens with ADHD
    • ADHD is more common than you think
    • Why it's good to have ADHD
    • Inspiring stories from people with ADHD
    • News and Research on ADHD
  • Have you got ADHD?
    • Think you're an adult with ADHD?
    • Think your child has ADHD?
    • How to get a diagnosis for ADHD >
      • Getting an assessment and diagnosis for ADHD
      • Self screening assessment tool for adults who suspect that they have ADHD​
    • Co-Morbidities
    • FAQs
  • Succeed with ADHD
    • Access ADHD Healthcare Professionals >
      • The Different Types of Healthcare Professionals
    • Products and Services
    • Join ADHD NZ's community
    • Managing ADHD >
      • Families living with ADHD >
        • Tips on how to support children with ADHD
        • Parent Support is a Phone Call Away
      • Managing ADHD at school >
        • ADHD eLearning module FAQs for staff at primary and secondary schools
        • Feedback from school staff about ADHD course
      • ADHD in tertiary education organisations >
        • FAQs for staff at tertiary education organisations
        • Feedback from staff at tertiary education organisations
      • Tips for adults managing life and ADHD
      • ADHD Support Organisations
    • ADHD Medication >
      • ADHD Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Non-Stimulant Medication
      • ADHD Anti-Depressant Medication
    • Vlogs and blogs on ADHD
  • About Us
    • Our People
    • ADHD Ambassador
    • Help Us By Volunteering
    • ADHD Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) in NZ
    • Donate now
    • For investors, sponsors and donors of ADHD NZ >
      • ADHD NZ 2021: past, present and future
    • ADHD NZ in the news
    • ADHD Research Institute of New Zealand
    • Contact Us