You are not alone
if you have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. About 4%
of school age children have this. In addition, other students
show some of the characteristics of ADHD.
Entering elementary
education is often a time when your parents first become aware of
these characteristics. Fortunately,
professionals are required (in the United States) to provide access to
adequate and appropriate educational resources for you and your
families. We also need more research in helping students with
ADHD with their studies.
The
strategies below are suggested as part of a professionally organized
program of assistance. They are derived from the American
description of ADHD. However, as a student, you also have your
own personal learning style, including "intelligences" (c.f.
Kolb), personality types (c.f. Myers-Briggs), etc. These will be
helpful to know and develop in overcoming ADHD.
Characteristics
of ADHD and homework strategies:
You
may be easily distracted while studying
-
Find
a study space or an area where there will be little distraction.
This "quiet' area, out of the normal traffic in your home,
is out of the movement or the noise of brothers and sisters,
pets, TV, telephones, music, etc.
-
If
space in your home is limited, your parents or mentor/tutor may
find a library, religious structure, neighbor's house, or other
sympathetic place
-
If
noise is a distraction, there are "headsets" that can
block out noise
You
may not be attentive to details,
or make little mistakes
-
Review
your homework with your parents, a mentor or tutor, a classmate,
or other helpful person who can help
-
There
are also little strategies, like using a grammar and spell
checker on a computer to help review. Remember that making
mistakes is not for lack of "smarts", but rather
due to characterististics of this disorder
You
may have trouble with "multiple sets of commands" or
instructions:
-
Your
strategy should be to simplify instructions down to a basic one
or two, and build up from there, or learn to "start at the
beginning". There may be less confusion about
how to begin or what the assignment is
-
Ask
your teacher to break down assignments into more easily
understood components or sections
You
may forget things, even to turn in homework!
-
Develop
a strategy to remember. Before going to school, develop a
procedure or habit of organizing with the help of your family
-
Have
a place in your backpack for assignments, and make sure the
teacher knows where it is. Keep a list of things to
remember there
You
may have trouble paying attention to homework
-
Set
up shorter "homework sessions." In between these
sessions there should be an opportunity to move around, for
"distraction"
-
Agree
to an "appropriate" and realistic beginning and end
time with your tutor, or mentor, or helper. As the time
period becomes comfortable, extend it a bit
You
may not have the attention span to take notes
on a consistent basis in class for a whole hour or so
-
A
tape recorder may help for review
-
Ask
your teacher to provide multiple formats of learning and
information delivery. Lecture is probably not the
best way for you to learn, and you may need more
"hands-on" exercises, and alternative ways of
learning. Ask for alternate ways you can do the same
"assignment" to find out what works best for you
You
may often interrupt, or blurt out answers, etc. while you are
helping:
-
This
is normal for ADHD, and it is best to remember that you are
trying and learning! but that you need to develop a way of
answering that is more appropriate.
-
This can
be another "habit", and finding little ways or
procedures to answer questions or talk in groups
You
may not be patient:
-
Developing
patience not only is for you, but also for your mentor, tutor,
and family. Their messages must be steady and consistent.
Often we become impatient when working with those close to us,
and here we must be careful to take time for ourselves.
Family is important, and learning must be coordinated with
teachers, professionals, and you as student. But remember
to take care of yourself. If you find that you are getting
angry or impatient yourself, find some support and take care of
yourself
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