ADHD, otherwise known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect individuals of all ages. However, it can be particularly impactful during schooling years.
While this might seem daunting, children can be taught to manage their ADHD by following certain practices. Not only will these management techniques help them navigate their educational journey but they will also benefit them throughout their lives.
In this article, we will discuss some of the effects that ADHD might have on students in the classroom environment, as well as provide you with ADHD study tips that will help your child succeed.
How Does ADHD Affect Students in the Classroom
ADHD can present unique challenges within the schooling environment. These challenges should be addressed if these students are to flourish and succeed on their educational journey.
An Inattentive Tendency
Students with ADHD often find it difficult to maintain concentration for long periods of time. This can lead to them missing instructions, struggling to complete tasks and assignments, and losing focus during a class or discussion.
Hyperactive Behaviour
One of the most common side effects of ADHD is hyperactive behaviour. Therefore, while in the classroom, these students will often fidget, be restless, and find it difficult to remain seated. This need to move around can make it challenging for these students to focus during class or while studying.
An Impulsive Nature
Those with ADHD will often be impulsive in ways that can be unintentionally disruptive in a classroom. Some examples of this include speaking out of turn, interrupting others, or performing an action in which the consequences were not considered
A Difficulty with Organisation
Due to a difficulty with concentration, a student with ADHD can experience issues when it comes to organisation. This will manifest in the student struggling to manage their time effectively, prioritise tasks, or finish a task they have started. When this occurs, deadlines will often be missed which can cause the student to feel demotivated.
Struggles with Working Memory
Students who have ADHD experience difficulty when it comes to memorising and recalling information. This can affect their performance at school as they will struggle to complete assignments in a timely manner, study effectively, and recall information during exams.
Study Tips for ADHD
While students with ADHD face many struggles, there are certain practices that they can include to help them manage their school work more effectively and perform well at school.
Establish a Structured Routine
It can be extremely helpful to develop a structured routine. In this routine, students can include specific times for studying, homework, and rest. Once a routine has been established, it is important to stick to it as much as possible.
The predictability of a routine will help students with ADHD get used to specific times when intense focus is required and will help them focus more effectively.
Create a Dedicated Study Area
While it is always advisable to create a dedicated study area where students can complete their school work, and attend online classes if they are homeschooled or subscribe to online schooling; it is more important to do so for children who have ADHD.
This space should be quiet and have as few distractions as possible. If they are easily distracted by sounds, it can be beneficial to make use of noise-cancelling headphones or for them to listen to instrumental music.
Break Tasks Up Into Smaller Parts
To those with ADHD, large tasks can seem daunting or even impossible to complete. It is, therefore, important to take assignments and break them up into small, achievable tasks that can be ticked off. As each small task is completed they will feel accomplished and motivated. It is also advisable to set definitive deadlines for each small task to be completed.
Utilise Visual Aids and Organisational Tools
As organisation can be challenging for students with ADHD, it is important to find ways in which they can make organisation easier. Making use of colour-coded folders, to-do lists, calendars, and other visual aids can help these students stay organised. These visual aids will help them remember due dates and other important tasks.
You can also make use of virtual calendars or task management apps if you prefer digital tools.
At CambriLearn we have created a free homeschooling planner to help students with organisation and creating a structured routine. You can learn about this homeschooling planner and download it here.
Employ Active Learning Techniques
Simply reading through course material and highlighting important information will not work well for those with ADHD. Instead, try to make use of active learning techniques such as creating mind maps, making summaries, creating flashcards, or even teaching the material to someone else. This will be more entertaining and demand more focused attention.
Take Regular Breaks
As students with ADHD often crave movement, it can be beneficial to provide them with consistent and frequent breaks. During these breaks, it is important for them to get up and move around. When they know that they will be able to get up and move around frequently, they will be more inclined to sit still and focus when it is required of them.
Seek Additional Support
It is important to provide ADHD students with help as soon as they are experiencing difficulty. This is because they are more likely to give up when struggling with a concept. Therefore, investing in tutoring can be very beneficial as they will receive individual attention and extra help in understanding complex concepts.
Schools for Kids with ADHD
Homeschooling or online schooling can be beneficial for children with ADHD. This is because certain online schooling systems are designed to help those students with learning disabilities.
One of the ways in which online schooling caters to students with ADHD is by allowing them to progress at their own pace. Therefore, if they easily understand a concept, they are not forced to spend as much time as others on that concept, or they are able to spend more time on concepts that they are struggling to understand.
At CambriLearn we offer live lessons that students can also review after they have taken place, as they are recorded and uploaded for later revision. This allows students with ADHD to review certain lessons if they did find themselves losing focus during a live session.
We also have a direct chat feature that allows a student to contact a teacher with questions at any time. What’s more, is that our teachers respond to these questions on the same day.
How CambriLearn Can Help Students with ADHD
Cambrilearn is an online school that specialises in helping students flourish by allowing them to work at their own pace. We place a high value on focusing on the learner as an individual and are able to cater to a student’s individual learning style. Therefore, we are equipped and passionate about helping those with ADHD reach their fullest potential.
All students with ADHD require a little extra help and guidance to find practices that help them focus.
