Bedroom cleaning checklist

In my last post I told you about how difficult it was to get J to clean his room. I also shared with you what J's ADHD Dr. suggested I try. I mentioned that he said to create a check list for J to refer to. ADHD children tend to be very visual learners. Check lists really help J and he does well with them.

I know what my idea of a check list is but I have heard from J that sometimes I make them TOO long. Or he doesn't exactly understand what I mean. So, off to the web I went. I entered in a few simple words, "easy bedroom check list for kids." Third listing down I found a great link. I highly recommend you take a look at it. Bedroom Cleaning for Kids One of the best ideas the article had was to label where things went. Example: Place a "Shirts" label on the shirt drawer of the dresser. Again, back to the visual ques.

With these recommendations in mind I created a simple checklist.

Example:

[   ] All trash picked up
[   ] All bedding on the bed
[   ] All dirty clothes in the basket
[   ] All toys picked up
[   ] Book shelf is neat
[   ] Clothes are folded and put in the dresser neatly

I added a simple picture

And a colorful title to attract his attention. Let's face it, even adults hate looking a check lists. Let's make it fun to look at!

After that I printed out the check list and placed it in one of those plastic protector sheets. This will allow J to make a check with a dry erase marker that can be removed later. I then taped it close. J is sneaking and I can see him pulling the list out and it disappearing. Using 4 small Velcro squares I attached the list to his full length mirror where it would be easy for him to see and reach. Because the protective sheets are meant to go into a binder they have the 3 holes on the side. I took a piece of twine and attached it to one of the holes. Then I attached it to the dry erase marker with tape. 

And there I had it, affordable reusable checklist! lol Now, lets see if it will work.

Tackling One Problem at a Time

Three years ago I was given some very good advice from a close friend who had a special needs child. She said, "Cory, there will be a lot of little behavioral habits develop you wont like. Work on them one at a time. Admit to yourself that you can't tackle them all at once. They didn't start all at once. Don't wear yourself out trying to deal with them all at the same time." By now, most of us have figured out ADHD is a long haul trip.

Great advice but advice that got lost in the early stages of dealing with J's ADHD. Fast forward three years, it has come back to mind. J has developed several behaviors I do not like. Mainly, talking back, arguing, and temper tantrums. I have been wearing myself out, as well as everyone in my house, trying to deal with all of these at once. No more! Not after the horrendous day we had yesterday.

Having made this commitment I ran to the store and bought a note book to write our weekly/bi weekly goals down so that we can read over them every day.

This first week I am going to tackle the way J talks to people, mainly adults within the house.

Our goal: Be able to think about how his voice sound before/while he speaks.

Questions J can ask himself before/while he is speaking:
1. Does it sound rude/have attitude?
2. Does it sound angry?
3. Are you yelling?

If he says yes to any of these questions here are step he can take to fix it.

1. If it sounds rude/has attitude try restating it with please/thank you. Change your tone. Leave the attitude out of your voice. If it sounds rude or mean to you then it probably does to the person you are talking to.

2. If it sounds angry calm down before you say anything else. If you have to leave for a while, excuse yourself but let them know you will come back once you have calmed down. Once you have calmed down come back and talk to the person. Remember, things said in anger can't be taken back.

3. If you are yelling, stop. People don't listen when you yell. Walk away and come back after you have calmed down.


I have done my best to try and keep the wording simple and as short as I can. As most of you know, kids having an ADHD meltdown don't listen to what you are saying. I don't recommend trying to go over this during a meltdown. Ride the meltdown out and address whatever goal you are working on after the child has calmed down. I hope this helps.