If you have a child with a diagnosis of ADHD who is attending school, here are some useful ways to prepare them for school.

During the last weeks of summer, take the time to prepare your child for the school routine by helping him or her get used to a realistic school bedtime. The end of summer is also a good time to organize your child's room, and dispose of any clothes that no longer fit. Make lists of all of the supplies your child will need for school, and buy several of the basic items in case one or two of them are lost.

If you have a child with a diagnosis of ADHD who is preparing for the school year, let his or her teacher(s) know. This will help them to be ready for any special preparations your child might require.

Here are some tips that may assist your child in the classroom:

• Ask your child's teacher(s) to seat him or her next to a positive role model or near the teacher's desk.
• Discuss your child's behavior and progress with his or her teacher(s) in regular one-on-one meetings.
• Ask your child's teacher(s) about pairing up your child with another student to check school work.
• Ask your child's teacher(s) to provide short breaks for your child between assignments.
• Teach and reinforce study skills and learning strategies at home.

Another helpful tip when your child starts a new school year is to provide his or her teacher(s) with a list of classroom accommodations that worked well during the previous school year.

If you have a teenager, develop some study rules and post them where they can be easily seen. Make sure the television, a common source of distraction, is off during study time.

Your child might qualify for educational services and accommodations. There are two laws specifically designed to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to education and school activities, namely the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. They are designed to ensure that a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) is made available to all children, regardless of ability. They provide access to valuable services to eligible children with disabilities. For more information on these resources, visit: http://www.help4adhd.org/en/education/rights

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