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If your child with ADHD sometimes struggles to follow directions, even the simplest ones, rest assured you are not alone. Children with ADHD struggle to stay on task, often lack attention to detail and struggle to process and follow directions.
This article offers evidence-based strategies and practical advice for parents and caregivers on teaching children to follow directions effectively at home and school.
Using these proven techniques consistently will, over time, teach your child with ADHD to follow directions. In addition, implementing these techniques will build their working memory, boost their self-confidence and independence, and enable their ability to follow instructions the first time!
Evidence-Based Techniques: how to teach a child with ADHD to follow directions
Parents can use evidence-based techniques to teach their children to follow directions. The key is to try different options and discover what works best to motivate your child.
Parents should try a technique multiple times before deciding it doesn’t work for their child. Additionally, you may need to use different techniques in different situations, so it's best to find a few that work!
Use positive reinforcement
The most influential thing parents seeking to motivate their child with ADHD can do is provide specific positive praise for behaviors they want to be repeated. A simple "good job" or "thank you" isn't enough to get your child's attention.
When you've given your child a direction, and they follow it, give your child immediate praise for following directions. For example, "You followed my directions to put your laundry away and then take a bath. That was responsible."
The more praise you give for positive choices, the less nagging you will do to get them to follow directions because kids want and crave positive attention.
Consider introducing a token system for which your child can earn prizes for repeatedly following instructions.
Simplify directions and break down tasks into smaller steps
Simple is best when giving verbal directions to a child with ADHD. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can learn to follow multi-step directions, but if they struggle with basic tasks, focus on one thing at a time.
Use a checklist to break large tasks into smaller chunks. Vague directions like "Clean your room" will overwhelm a kid with ADHD. Instead, look at the bigger picture and break it down.
For example, if the goal is cleaning their bedroom, you could say:
- "First, we'll pick up all the laundry off the floor and put it in the hamper."
Once that task is complete, move on to the second item.
- "Now, let's put away all your cars and animals back on the toy shelf."
Again, after you've completed that step, move to the third, and so on.
Provide visual aids and establish eye contact
Use visual supports like picture charts, checklists, and calendars when giving directions. Visual reminders are incredibly beneficial to children, especially children with ADHD.
A visual reminder system is also beneficial when you want your child to complete multiple steps without adult reminders. You can find pre-printed visual supports online to download or purchase, or take pictures of your child engaged in the activities and create your own chart!
Eye contact is also helpful when giving instructions. If your child is watching TV, reading, playing, etc., have them pause their actions and look at you when you give directions. Secondly, have your child repeat the directions back to you to make sure they heard and processed what you said.
Use a "first-then" approach
The first-then approach is a common technique used by parents and teachers that help children follow instructions. Think of the funny meme you've probably seen that reads, "First, I drink the coffee; then I do the things." Well, the concept is the same for kids!
For example, if your child wants to play outside but needs to finish their school assignment, you would say, "First, you finish your homework, then you get to play."
This technique can work for any combination of activities. First, brush your teeth; then, we'll read a book. For younger kids, you can simplify the words further: "First teeth, then book."
Pictures are also helpful to help a child understand expectations with the first-then approach. The website socialskilled.com has some excellent visual resources that are PDF printable, including a First-Then template.
Teach self-monitoring skills
Children with ADHD must learn self-monitoring skills to succeed in school and life. They won't always have a parent or teacher over their shoulders helping them focus or stay on task.
Self-monitoring is an executive functioning skill that allows kids with attention deficit disorder to check in on themselves and monitor their behaviors in the classroom, at home, and in social situations.
Checklists, journals, calendars, assignment folders, index cards, and Post-it notes are all techniques children can use to self-monitor. There are also tech devices like phone reminders and sensory devices that can help a child channel excess energy and refocus their attention on the task at hand.
Try Joon
Joon is an excellent aid to help your child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder follow directions. Joon is designed to build healthy habits in ADHD kids through gamification and rewarding kids for task completion.
Joon can be used with other self-regulation techniques and tools to help kids with ADHD follow directions.
As a parent, you can set any number or type of tasks you'd like your child to complete. Joon's immediate reward system will provide positive feedback to your ADHD child immediately upon completion!
Claim your 7-day free trial here.
Following-Direction Strategies
Whether you're working with your children or students, some tried-and-true strategies are proven to work to enable kids to process and follow directions.
Tips for following directions at home
ADHD makes it easy to become distracted, especially in familiar and comfortable places like home. Here are some things to do at home to help your child follow instructions:
- Reduce distractions when giving instructions
- Provide your child with positive feedback for behavior you want repeated
- Demonstrate good listening skills when your child is talking to you; give them your full attention
- Keep instructions simple and short
- Have your child repeat instructions back to you to ensure they heard you correctly
- Use pictures, schedules, and other visual supports to increase understanding of directions
Tips for following directions at school
If you're a teacher who has a student with ADHD, here are some things you can do in the classroom to help them (and other students) follow directions:
- Have your students repeat directions back to you
- Use a bell, clapping, or other noise to get the attention of the class
- Use a picture schedule
- Have the entire class write down homework assignments in their journal or schedule book
Tips for following directions in public places
When a child with ADHD is in busy, public places, their behavior often suffers because they are overstimulated. Help your child listen in public with these pointers:
- Establish expectations before you leave the house
- Answer questions your child may have and listen to their concerns about the place or event to calm anxiety
- If it is a new experience, explain what will happen. For example, your child's first time attending a wedding or flying on a plane
- Have fidgets and other sensory toys available
Advice on Tailoring Methods to Your Child's Needs and Abilities
Every child is different, so it's essential to discover what works best for your child at their given age and interest level and to figure out resources that will serve you best.
Consider your child's age and developmental level
Younger kids will respond better to simple and short instructions, particularly if accompanied by pictures. Focus less on what your child is "supposed" to do and more on what they can do.
If they need frequent reminders or need clarification, figure out why. For example, did they not hear you correctly, were they focused on something else and not listening, or was the instruction too wordy?
Identify your child's strengths and weaknesses and modify techniques based on their preferences
Observing and journaling or taking notes on your child's strengths and weaknesses will assist you in understanding their developmental level. Give an instruction you think your child will be able to follow, and then observe their behavior and see what happens.
If your kid is easily distracted by excess noise, make sure they can hear you by turning off any music or the television. If they're good at sports, turn cleaning up their laundry into a basketball competition to see who can throw the most clothes into the basket. If they like organizing things, have them clean up their room one color at a time.
Create a plan that works for your family's unique situation
Not all ideas will work for every family, so you must also consider your strengths and weaknesses as a parent. If you won't be able to keep up with a color-coded calendar, don't implement one.
For some, writing reminders on Post-it notes and adhering them to the door the night before works. For others, use Alex or Siri to set up reminders for your child. If you don't have a lot of space, create quiet hours for work and homework to help your child stay focused.
The goal is to determine what works best for your family and implement a consistent and reliable structure.
Conclusion
Getting a child to follow directions is not an easy task with or without ADHD, so if you're a parent or a teacher who has a student with ADHD, the trick is figuring out what makes them tick. What does the child respond best to, and what additional resources can you implement that allows them to focus and follow through on a direction?
Teaching kids and students with ADHD how to self-monitor using checklists, picture aids, reminders, and other tools will benefit them and you in the long run.
Like most things concerning ADHD, teaching a child to follow directions requires patience and consistency. So take your time, observe what works best for your child at their age and developmental level, and implement strategies slowly yet consistently; over time, you will see positive results!
About
Dr. Carrie Jackson, PhD
