Dear Parents of Children with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Tourette Syndrome, and with Anxiety Disorders:

Welcome back from your vacations, from the end of Summer Camps, trips, and very relaxed routines (in very hot weather all over the Country).

I am sure you are already receiving information about school supplies, uniforms, and hopefully "green" communication (nonprinted) from school regarding your children's new teacher, schedule, and other guidelines for the new academic year.

Many parents plan ahead to go shopping for supplies, and for clothes for the new school year. Remember to always set up an example for your children regarding how you spend your money, and the choices you make for shopping for clothes, as well as for food for snacks among other things.

In the midst of getting ready for school, parents end up shopping at various times of the day, and their families continue to have a "summer schedule" with children going to bed later than usual. As a consequence, it is only in the last days of vacation that parents realize that children have to start going back to a routine with bed time (having an earlier time to go to sleep), with meals, and with activities during the day and at night. One of those activities include "screen time": I have heard that children can spend one to 8 hours a day in front of a computer screen, television, or any electronic game. Remember to start helping your children go back to a routine that will allow them to go to sleep earlier, to eat at regular times, and to not be so attached to the "screen" for so many hours by the time they start with school.

Finally, I have often written about the tendency of parents to "overbook" their children with extra-curricular activities in the Fall. One parent informed me that parents actually compare and even compete to find out whether their children is "keeping up with the other children" in all the activities that they have after school. If your children are young, and are in elementary school, they still need "down time" to play. Yes, to play, and this is an activity that helps them learn, and also crystallize their social experiences that they are exposed to at school.

Good luck with the New Year. Remember to also start purchasing and planning for healthy and nutritious meals at home as well as for during the day, such as snacks and lunches that your children can take to school. Dr. Joffe.