When homeschooling a child with ADHD, it is important to remember that every child is unique, and those with attentional difficulties have their strengths and weaknesses. The misconception is that the curriculum must be 'simplified' for these children. Understanding their unique learning styles can create supportive and engaging learning environments that help them thrive.
Many parents may wonder if online schooling or homeschooling is the best solution for ADHD children. The answer is that online schooling allows parents and educators to consider the individual learner and tailor their education to their unique needs.
Homeschooling, as an alternative to traditional schooling, is particularly beneficial for learners with special needs, such as ADHD. It not only provides a supportive environment but also ensures that these learners receive an internationally accredited education. This can give parents peace of mind about the quality of education their child is receiving, while also allowing the child to learn in a way that makes them feel comfortable and confident.
In this article, we will look at some of the benefits of online schooling and highlight the success of homeschooling a child with ADHD with the CambriLearn online schooling curriculum.
What is ADHD?
ADHD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a cognitive condition that results in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. Understanding this condition is crucial for parents, educators, and individuals interested in mental health, as it can empower them to better support those affected.
The human brain, a complex communication network, relies on two key neurotransmitters, dopamine and noradrenaline. These chemical messengers play a crucial role in relaying messages between neurons. In an ADHD brain, the miscommunication between these neurotransmitters is a fascinating area of study, leading to a range of symptoms, both positive and negative.
Children (and adults) with ADHD can display symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty with executive functioning. Being aware of these symptoms can help parents, educators, and individuals identify and understand ADHD.
Symptoms of hyperactivity
- Difficulty sitting still in a chair
- Fidgeting
- Excessive talking
- Excessive physical movement
Signs of impulsivity
- Interrupting conversations
- Problems with self-control and aggression
- Poor sense of danger
Difficulty with executive function shows itself as:
- Trouble planning or carrying out a task because you need help visualising the finished product or goal.
- Difficulty motivating yourself to start a task that seems difficult or uninteresting.
- Struggling to move from one task to another.
Can ADHD affect learning?
A child's hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity symptoms will affect how a child learns. Traditional academic success is often measured by how well a child performs in a classroom environment and their delivery of expectations. Children with ADHD may show signs of the following behaviours, and this will affect their learning in a classroom situation:
- Fidgeting during instructional time
- Difficulty waiting for a turn in group situations
- Inability to follow through with instructions
- Shifting tasks before the completion of the previous one
- Misplacing items needed for completion of tasks
- Difficulty in listening to others without interruption
- Getting distracted or irritated by classroom noises and activity
- Becomes bored quickly if the material is not moving fast enough
The best learning environment for children with ADHD
During the Covid-19 pandemic, families were exposed to homeschooling and online schooling. Many parents of ADHD children found that their kids responded more productively in the homeschooling environment. This is due to the fact that when children learn in a highly structured school system, the symptoms of ADHD are more evident and visible and result in heightened behaviour problems and learning difficulties, such as fidgeting in class, hyperactivity, concentration problems, memory problems, and chronic disorganisation.
It is a challenge for children with ADHD to excel in an overly structured and policed learning environment. Children with ADHD thrive in a personalised learning environment with flexibility. Homeschooling and online school offer this, and is a great alternative to traditional school environments.
Parents need to think outside the box when homeschooling a child with ADHD and get creative in finding ways to get their hyperactive child to study. Simple tasks like sitting still for long periods and staying organised are difficult for them. This doesn’t mean that the child cannot learn; it simply means that the approach to ‘how they learn’ and the structure of their school day should be reevaluated.
Understanding your child’s unique personality and which learning environment best suits your child is vital in ensuring that they not only thrive but also that they feel happy and confident to avoid unnecessary anxiety and pressure.
Tips for homeschooling a child with ADHD
- Exercise: Minimise the wriggling and squirming that hyperactivity causes by ensuring your child gets plenty of exercise. Exercise isn't just good for toning muscles; it can also help keep the brain in shape. When kids exercise, their brain releases a mix of chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters include dopamine, which aids in paying attention. Start the day with some exercise; this will help your child's concentration during lessons and later in the day.
- Plan for short schoolwork sessions: Breaking tasks and lessons into manageable bite-size pieces keeps your ADHD child from becoming overwhelmed and overreacting negatively to school assignments. CambriLearn doesn't believe in long, drawn-out lessons. Our live lessons are between 30 and 45 minutes long, ensuring that our students can maintain their attention and are engaged throughout the lesson.
- Time in nature: Nature can be a powerful ally in managing ADHD. Encourage your child to take breaks outdoors, as there is evidence that spending time in nature can help calm kids with ADHD. Finding ways to incorporate outdoor time into the learning experience can bring a sense of hope and relief.
- Create an organised workspace: Take control of your homeschooling environment by creating a flexible schedule and setting up your child's workspace in an organised manner. Designate a quiet space for your child to read, relax, and take a break from their assignments. Keeping your home neat and organised can help reduce unnecessary distractions, anxiety, and stress.
ADHD can breed success
You may be surprised to hear that Richard Branson, Bill Gates, John F. Kennedy, Jamie Olivier and Michael Phelps were all diagnosed with ADHD and became notable successes. Remember, ADHD is not a disorder. It is a brain functioning difference that, despite its challenges, also brings unique strengths. It makes your child more spontaneous, creative, energetic, imaginative, intuitive, and inventive.
Celebrate these differences with your ADHD child by giving them an education that harnesses their unique strengths and abilities.
"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." - Jimmy Dean
