​Tutoring Students with ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is considered a neurological condition that is commonly present in early childhood and may continue into adulthood. Usually, it is diagnosed when a child reached the age of seven, since ADHD will have a significant impact on the child’s ability to learn, and it may eventually affect his or her grades in school if left unchecked.

Common symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD
ADHD is a condition that is quite challenging to diagnose, especially when distinguishing the symptoms since it does not affect every child the same way as other common neurological conditions. For this reason, statistics on the prevalence of ADHD vary significantly and the worldwide average is about 5.29% while it is rated as high as 10% in Australia.

However, almost all of the research proves that boys are more likely to acquire ADHD than girls, and the symptoms are categorised in two different categories, namely: hyperactivity and inattention although it can also be a combination of these two traits.

Children who have ADHD and are classed as predominantly inattentive will have the following:

• Difficulty listening or focusing
• Easily bored
• Distractibility
• Daydreaming
• Unable to follow instructions
• Difficulty in organising things
• Forgetful

For those who are classed as predominantly impulsive/hyperactive will have the following symptoms:

• Failing to stay seated
• Constant talking
• Fidgeting
• Uncontrollable physical activity
• Impatience
• Difficulty staying quiet
• Often getting interrupted by things around them

Learning strategies for children with ADHD
To help children with ADHD, it is essential to become aware of their condition since it is the first step in helping them cope up with their schoolwork or learning in general. Medication usually helps alleviate the symptoms of ADHD, but there is also a belief that children with this condition are often overmedicated.

That is why, if you suspect your child has this condition, it’s critical to consult a child psychologist, or you may even seek out the help of other medical professionals to ensure that it’s an accurate diagnosis or your child may have other condition that you’re not aware of.

Besides, there are several methods you can use to help your child stay on their task and be motivated with their homework, and these will include the following:

• Remove all distractions

It is recommended that you ask your child’s tutor or teacher to seat them as close to the front as possible and is away from any doors or windows. When they’re being taught at home, you must create a space or room that is free from any clutter and other visible distractions like the TV or any other toys and video games. You can also provide them with a stress ball to satisfy their fidgety compulsions.

• Maintain the routine

It is proven through various studies that children with ADHD are known to benefit from learning in a structured manner. That is why it is important to create a checklist of daily, weekly, or even monthly goals to ensure that your child is always on track on his or her learning. You should schedule the more important tasks at the beginning and divide each portion of their assignments, so large assignments will be converted to smaller segments and are much easier to complete. Help your child stay organised as well with calendars and charts to outline your routines. Practice your morning routine for a few weeks to prepare your child to return to school after the summer holidays. 

• Communicate concisely, clearly and compassionately

When your child has ADHD, you need to understand their condition and provide them with regular praise, especially when they are behaving well or if they are making breakthroughs at school. When you’re giving instructions, you should ensure that it is short and to the point and make sure that you let your child repeat them back to you to ensure that they did understand your instructions.
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• Ensure regular breaks after each task

Most importantly, you’ll need to provide regular breaks during their tutoring or homework sessions. You must let them stand up, stretch or even go for a walk outside. You can also let them have a small recess after every 30 minutes to refresh their minds and recover their focus and concentration.