Understanding How ADHD Impacts Learning
Trouble Paying Attention, Following Instructions, and Completing Assignments
ADHD is typically characterized by three core symptoms: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. They can make student learning rather difficult, impeding your child’s ability to succeed in school. For example, they may struggle to follow instructions, complete assignments on time, or even interact with their teachers and peers constructively. This may result in them falling behind with schoolwork and learning material.
ADHD, Reading, Writing, and Math Skills
Reading
ADHD can make it challenging to sit still, focus, track lines, or even remember details of what they read. As a result, reading can become a chore—your child may find themselves daydreaming, skimming entire passages or pages, or simply “blanking out” as their peers read for fun and expand their knowledge base. This can put them at risk of falling behind in school as well.
Writing
Reading and writing skills are inherently related. Children who read a lot will have many examples of good writing that they can rely on in their work. If your child struggles with reading, they may have trouble putting their thoughts onto paper as well.
Math Skills
Because ADHD makes it challenging to attend to tasks and self-regulate, your child may have trouble improving their math skills over time. ADHD can make it hard to remember small steps and intricate details, which are essential when learning math skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Your child may forget to carry the one or make a note of the remainder. They may also struggle to filter extraneous information from word problems, making those a particularly stubborn roadblock.
Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
ADHD often coexists with learning disabilities like dyslexia and dysgraphia. While dyslexia impairs a child’s ability to read and spell, dysgraphia affects their handwriting and ability to put thoughts on paper. These learning disabilities can amplify the effects of ADHD and cause further challenges for your child in school.
5 Strategies for Helping Students With ADHD in the Classroom
Behavioral Classroom Management
Implementing a structured behavioral classroom management plan can significantly improve the behavior of children with ADHD. They may include:
- Establishing clear expectations, such as raising hands before speaking, actively listening to others, and following classroom rules.
- Positive reinforcement methods, such as verbal praise or rewards systems.
- Organizing activities, such as breaking tasks into manageable steps, providing schedules or checklists, or incorporating movement breaks to enhance focus and engagement.
Create an Organized Classroom Environment
Simplicity and structure can make a significant difference in helping students with ADHD in the classroom. A clutter-free, organized classroom setting can help them focus better and decrease distractibility. It also helps to have a consistent schedule with regular reminders of what’s coming up next—being prepared for transitions like recess, the next lesson, or the end of the day can help your child with time management and shifting their attention from one task to the next.
Incorporate Visual Aids and Multisensory Teaching Methods
Students with ADHD thrive on visual and tactile information. Incorporating visual aids, such as charts, diagrams, and graphic organizers, provides visual cues that can enhance their comprehension and retention. Multisensory teaching techniques, like interactive activities and role-playing, allow students to actively engage their senses, reinforcing learning through tactile, auditory, and visual experiences.
IEPs and 504 Plan Accommodations
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plan accommodations are specially designed programs that can help students with ADHD in the classroom. These plans address individual needs by offering tailored strategies and adaptations in curriculum, teaching methods, classroom organization, and assessment approaches. They involve collaboration among educators, parents, and professionals to create a personalized framework that optimizes the student’s learning experience and ensures their educational success.
Encourage Self-Regulation and Self-Monitoring
Teaching your child with ADHD self-regulation and self-monitoring skills is a powerful way to empower them and enhance their ability to learn. They can use these abilities to develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and actions, improving self-control and self-management. These skills may include:
- Self-reflection, which can help them identify triggers or patterns that may impact their behavior. Using journals or worksheets can help them organize their thoughts and insights.
- Goal setting, which can help them establish attainable goals, focus their efforts, and measure their progress over time.
- Mindfulness activities or short movement breaks to help them recenter and refocus themselves when they get overwhelmed or distracted.
Develop a Tailored ADHD Plan With Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic
ADHD can affect many aspects of your child’s life, from schoolwork to social interactions. Because of this, it’s essential that your child gets the support they need to live a successful, fulfilling life. At Abbey Neuropsychology, we pride ourselves on being able to craft a personalized Transformative Brain Program that helps your child overcome the challenges associated with ADHD. Using evidence-based techniques like neurofeedback and neuropsychological assessments, we take a deep dive into the way your child’s brain functions. This allows us to build a cognitive roadmap that addresses ADHD challenges at their source and gives your child the tools and resources they need to thrive in school and in life.
Schedule a call with us today to start your child down the path of ongoing educational success.
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