How Parents Can Help Students With ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, affects nearly 12% of children aged 4-17, an increase in the past twelve years of over 5%. As we seek to understand all possible educational barriers that can affect a child’s progress, we must pay close attention to a problem that shows such a significant increase in prevalence in such a short time. You may hear different information about ADHD from different people, and, in our day and age, it can be tempting to remotely diagnose students who are struggling. Thus, it is vitally important for us to understand not only the signs and symptoms, but also the interventions.

What is ADHD?
Defined as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, ADHD may take many different forms. We may notice oppositional or defiant behavior, hostility, and failure to understand or follow instructions. Further, signs like frequent fidgeting, inability to sit still, talking excessively, or interrupting others may all be associated with ADHD. It is important here to say that, while these are some of the possible symptoms, in no way should these observations be used to diagnose a student. These types of assessments must be carried out by trained professionals such as educational psychologists and psychiatrists. However, knowing some of the warning signs can help you to stay attuned to any budding problems in your student.

What should I do if I suspect my child has ADHD?
First and foremost, keep in mind that there is no single test to determine if someone has ADHD, so be prepared to meet with learning experts in order to arrive at a diagnosis. It is important to note that, in order for the disorder to be diagnosed, symptoms must have appeared before the age of seven and been present for at least six months in two different settings. So, by that logic (which, by the way, comes directly out of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by professionals in the mental health field) a high school student who suddenly seems unfocused, but has not a history of such problems in the past, in school may be just that: an unfocused, adolescent high school student. Understanding the timeline and markers is important in making accurate decisions about how to proceed. In this age of over-diagnosis, we must be vigilant to separate hearsay or assumption from fact and data. If, however, you have noticed a lifelong pattern that is now affecting a student’s educational progress and stifling his success, by all means seek out professionals who are trained to make this type of diagnosis.

What are some ways to help a student with ADHD?
Tutoring: When a student’s grades are slipping and he appears to be struggling to do it on his own, finding educational support can be a huge help. A good tutor does not have to be able to diagnose or treat a problem like ADHD, but rather to offer support and focus in on a student’s struggles the way a teacher with twenty other students to worry about can’t. In addition to offering educational support, iAchieve Learning has partnered with psychologist Dr. Kati Guada, who can help provide a simplified and supportive experience for families when looking into services and support for ADHD, as well as when seeking diagnoses and guidance for learning disabilities.

External Reinforcement: Reinforcement is a vital tool in helping these students. Offering positive reinforcement, for instance, when an ADHD student follows instructions can a long way toward changing behavioral patterns. It is, however, important to keep in mind that, with this population, the immediacy of the reward is key; for students who struggle with attention span, changing the reward and providing it immediately following a positive behavior is important. Furthermore, as these students are often easily discouraged, it is a good idea to keep the reinforcement positive and to avoid overly negative feedback and reprimands. Remember, there are a lot of different ways to say “good job.”

Help with Organization: The scattered thought process of the student with ADHD makes structure and organization challenging. Luckily, there is a multitude of ways that we can help our kids stay organized. From providing rule reminders and visual cues to being sensitive to timing and being aware of different styles of learning, we are in a unique position to help the student play on his strengths rather than his weaknesses.

A Resource List: Remember that, while overwhelming at times, there are innumerable resources to help us better understand ADHD. An incomplete list that can help you get started follows.

Books:

1000 Best Tips for ADHD by Susan Ashley

Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons that Medicine Cannot Teach by Vincent Monastra

Raising Boys with ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons by James Forgan and Anne Richey

The ADHD Book: Answers to Parents’ Most Pressing Questions by Beth Praed

Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward Hallowell

Online Resources:

CHADD: The National Resource on ADHD

ADDitude Magazine: Strategies and Support for ADHD

PsychCentral: Resources for ADHD

ADHD Momma: Everyday Life with our ADHD Kids

ADHD Coaches Organization