ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a very common issue that may impact students’ ability to learn as they are progressing through school. Unfortunately, due to the cumulative nature of math and the need to acquire a foundational base of skills, ADHD can negatively influence a child’s ability to focus on all steps needed to fully connect new learning. As a parent, you may find working with a child who has ADHD quite complex, and maybe even a bit frustrating. Particularly when it comes to homework time….
Through our experience with working with many students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, we’ve identified a several accommodations that can be made when helping these students with homework. We hope you find these tips useful!
1. Location. Location. Location
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We cannot stress this enough. Homework time requires active learning—find a quiet space away from the distractions of TV, younger siblings, phones, barking dogs, devices, etc. By eliminating all of the noises and influences that many of us can filter out, study time will be much more productive and engaging.
2. Invest in some highlighters.
We love highlighters, and think they are one of the most ingenious tools ever created!
a. Color code symbols in math prior to completing, i.e. pink/+, yellow/-, etc.
b. Highlight key words (Here’s a great free chart that you can put up in your study area-http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Key-Word-Posters-FREEBIE-296154)
c. By reading through problem and highlighting key information, it keeps students from stopping too soon, and perhaps missing the actual question being asked.
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3. Focus on Organization.
If you have your pens, pencils, erasers, calculator, paper, and, of course, highlighters readily accessible in a common area, less time is spent looking, and perhaps leading to a distractible activity. Not only should the workspace be equipped and organized, but also make use of organizational planners, folders and assignment notebooks to keep frustration to a minimum and encouraging a routine of how to even begin working on a task. All unnecessary books, phones, devices, papers, etc. should be cleared away.
4. Take frequent breaks.
Work with your child before beginning a task and mutually decide how many items should be completed before a “movement break”. For example, after completion of two rows of problems, he gets to get up and give the dog a treat (the dog might even catch on that homework is not so bad! Although you definitely don’t want this one after every task is complete, October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month!). Having a list of different movement options will also provide variety and motivation for sticking to a task. Or even randomize the activity AND movement break by having lists of them in a jar, and he can pull out the required activity, and a corresponding break for when complete. By providing interest and variety here, you can hook your child in to the task at hand.
5. Adapt.
Teach your child how to advocate for his needs by folding his worksheet in ½ to only have portions of the assignment visible at any given time. Or, if problems are from a book, use post-it notes (Truly, another of our favorite inventions!) iPad? iCAN! Teach him how to zoom so that only the present problem is visible.
If you’ve noticed, most of these items are really organizational and accommodating in nature. In another blog, we’ll discuss some great strategies to actually dig into math skills and memory strategies, particularly for students with ADHD—actual strategies that we’d use if we were working with your child. Can’t wait for that blog? Check out our website and schedule a visit to our office!
--Mrs. B
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