Throw Away Your School Supply List!

Really!

I was school supply shopping with a client and her mom the other day. I specialize in student organization. I mostly work with students who have ADHD, Asperger’s or other mild learning disabilities. This young lady goes to a charter middle school. The school supply list was ridiculous!

So I am not saying don’t get anything. Clearly that will not work! If you are able to afford it, you should buy those items that are shared in classrooms or schools. For example, dry erase markers, tissues, hand sanitizer and anything else that makes classrooms run without teachers having to personally purchase items. (It really does happen-ask a teacher.)

What I am saying is that not every kid needs seven notebooks and seven folders. Especially in middle and high school. For some students, that is just too much to keep track of while still learning. Here is my advice for what to buy if you know your kid has issues with organization:
1. Talk to your child beforehand about what might work, and what didn’t work in the past.
2. Ask him/her what would feel most natural; a binder with everything, an accordion style folder, one binder for morning classes and one for after noon classes, color-coded notebooks and folders.
3. Take him/her shopping with you. Let him/her choose what he/she thinks will work best.
4. If it doesn’t work out within 2-3 weeks; try something else. Sooner than later-Don’t let him/her struggle! Being unorganized can be very stressful. Especially if this is his/her first year of middle or high school.
5. Be open minded and flexible. They are only kids, trying to figure it all out.

I stopped shopping off the school’s supply list years ago. I bought what I knew would work for each of my three kids. One of twin daughters is heading off to college next week. She is a freshman. She has ADHD which is making the whole process a little scary for her (and me!). But she is fairly organized for a teenager with or without ADHD. We have spent years drilling in organization. Routines, lists, habits and systems to help her succeed in school and life. She was an A/B student in high school and works diligently at everything she does. Someday she will be an excellent teacher! She plans on studying Early Childhood Education. There is hope just be patient, supportive and structure everything you can. For some organization takes practice like a sport or playing an instrument.

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