How to Use a Chore Chart to Help Manage ADHD Symptoms

Chore charts teach kids how to organize and complete household tasks. They often help kids remember what they need to do and feel rewarded when they finish tasks, especially if they are designed correctly. Since kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with organization, motivation, and focus, using a chore chart can be particularly helpful for families with ADHD children. 

So, what should you know about making and using a chore chart to help manage ADHD symptoms? Let's talk about some of the ways a chore chart can help kids with ADHD first. Then, we'll go over steps for creating and using a chore chart, tips for success, and how research supports the use of chore charts for the ADHD brain.

What is a Chore Chart?

A chore chart is a reward or behavior chart that lists household chores. Usually, there's a box by every task for a child to check off or cover with a sticker when they finish each task. They can even be paired with rewards (e.g., getting to go to the park) to further motivate kids. Chore charts are great organization tools for kids with ADHD. 

Teens and adults with ADHD often use them, too, to support symptom management and avoid forgetting important daily tasks. 

How a Chore Chart Can Help Manage ADHD Symptoms

Parents can teach kids with ADHD various skills that help them cope with challenges that might emerge from ADHD symptoms. When this happens, it empowers the child. Here are three ways chore charts can support kids with ADHD. 

Structure and routine 

Structure and routine are crucial for kids with ADHD. Since ADHD often comes with symptoms like forgetfulness, distractibility, and executive function problems, the consistency of a routine can be valuable.

Visual cues and reminders

Visual aids help people with ADHD understand and organize tasks, break tasks down into do-able steps, and remember what needs to get done. There's some research on the use of visual aids for kids with ADHD in various contexts. We often see that visual aids support follow-through and understanding.

In addition to ensuring that it's clear and child-friendly, consider adding photos associated with the task to your child's chart. For example, a photo of a bathtub for bathing. 

Accountability and responsibility

Chore charts can support self-esteem and independence by showing kids that they can follow through. Completing chores during childhood is very important in setting kids up for success later in life.

Chore charts show the child that they're responsible for completing certain tasks. If you only tell a child what to do verbally, they will not have a visual representation of the tasks they're responsible for, which can lower their sense of accountability.

Steps for Creating and Using a Chore Chart

First, consider what chores are appropriate for your child based on age, current household responsibilities, and other factors. Then, move through the following steps to create a chore chart for your child.

Identify tasks and responsibilities

Before you create a chore chart, identify what tasks you want your child to complete. Again, consider what kind of chores will work for your unique child. Some parents write a list down for themselves before adding tasks to the chart. That way, you can decide how you'll organize them ahead of time. 

Each task on your child's chore chart should be clear. Keep each task short (about one sentence long or less). Writing each chore out in a different color or adding bright-colored boxes for each task can help provide a clear, mentally stimulating visual to aid focus. 

Choose a format for the chore chart

Some chore charts are structured by day of the week, with unique tasks to complete each day. Others are structured by time of day (e.g., Morning, After School, Daily Chores, and Bedtime). Think about what format is best for your child and what you want it to look like visually.

Establish a routine for updating and using the chart

When you first start using the chore chart with your child, guide them through it: Remind your child to complete tasks when it's time to do so and guide them to check off a box (or otherwise mark off items on the chart) once it's done. Transition to a more independent approach when they've got it down.

Additionally, if you intend to modify or update your child's chore chart, make a schedule for yourself. That way, you will remember to make changes. 

How Joon Can Help

Joon was designed with the ADHD brain in mind. The app is an effective reward system, geared toward kids aged 6-12+ and their parents. Here's how it works:

Parents sign up for the Joon Parent app and make a task (or "quest") list for their child. When your child completes a task, they get rewards in the Joon Pet Game app, which lets them continue playing the game and take care of a virtual pet called a Doter. Examples of tasks Joon can help your child complete include but aren't limited to cleaning tasks, personal hygiene tasks, and homework.

The app gives your child reminders so that they remember to complete tasks. It also gives you a reminder so you remember to follow through on praising or otherwise rewarding your child for a job well done! 

Joon is a great way to support behavior change, time management, and follow-through with routines or schedules in kids with ADHD or related disorders. The app aids motivation, focus, confidence, and executive function. 

90% of kids who use Joon finish every task they're assigned, and many parents say it's improved their parent-child relationship. 

Click here to try Joon for free today.

Tips for Success

The way a chart is designed and used can impact how successful it is. In addition to adding visual aids and establishing schedules or routines, here are some tips for creating and using a successful chore chart for ADHD kids.

Keep tasks simple and manageable

Kids with ADHD can have trouble with tasks that involve multiple steps if they aren't broken down into smaller pieces. Multi-step tasks should be broken down into separate tasks. 

For example, "Put dirty clothes in the hamper" and "Put toys in the blue bin" instead of "Clean your room," which could be overwhelming for a child and does not tell them what to do or how to start. 

Provide incentives and rewards

Celebrating task completion by providing verbal praise can be helpful, especially in the beginning stages, when you're teaching the child to use and stick to the chart. We know that reward systems are often very valuable for kids with ADHD, and extensive research supports the use of positive reinforcement techniques vs. other strategies, like punishment. 

You might give rewards for completing individual tasks or the entire chart. Reward frequency (e.g., using small rewards for each task or using another type of system, like a point system) depends on your child. Tell your child what their reward will be for finishing tasks. Make sure that the rewards you use are manageable and sustainable!

Consistency is key

Make sure that you update the chore chart when you need to. Help your child stay consistent with routines once they're set and you've explained your expectations. 

Avoid showing frustration if they forget to complete a task. Instead, give reminders, positive reinforcement, and support to encourage consistency and help them focus.

Real-life Examples: How Chores and Chore Charts Promote Success

Research supports the implementation of chores for kids and the use of tools like charts themselves. A 2022 study on kids ages 5-13 suggests that various types of chores can support executive function in children. 

Similarly, research shows that there are benefits to giving kids chores at as young as age three. These include not only self-esteem and responsibility, but also, being better equipped to handle delayed gratification, frustration, and adversity. 

As far as chore charts themselves go, we know that checklists, which are usually involved in a chore chart, are recommended for kids with ADHD. The same is true for positive reinforcement and rewards. Teachers often use charts, checklists, and similar tools, to support kids with ADHD in school. A family member or legal guardian can use similar techniques.

Visual activity schedules can help kids with ADHD and related disorders in more than one way. They can promote on-task behavior, aid transition from one task to another, and enhance behavior or skills. This is why many parents choose to structure a chore chart similarly by including pictures and giving the child a clear expectation of what they need to do. 

Conclusion

Many kids need help getting started on a cleaning schedule or routines regarding other daily tasks, like finishing their homework. Benefits of using a chore chart for kids with ADHD include improved follow-through with tasks, support for executive functioning, a sense of accountability and responsibility, and a boost in confidence or self-esteem.

When paired with rewards or a reward system of some kind, chore charts can also aid motivation through positive reinforcement. Adding visual aids like pictures is recommended and may be particularly helpful for neurodivergent children. Parents can use the tips in this article to create a successful chore chart for kids with ADHD.