About 7 million children in the US have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and countless others go undiagnosed. People who live with ADHD often have unique strengths such as creativity, empathy, energy and problem-solving skills. But ADHD can cause challenges too, especially in structured environments like school.
Occupational Therapist Nancy Haller of Keystone Life Skills Center specializes in working with patients ages 12-21 and shares some tips about how to help teens with ADHD succeed in school.
What are some challenges teens with ADHD may face in school?
Teens with ADHD often get bored very easily and have difficulty maintaining focus on classwork. They may also struggle with impulsivity, which can make it difficult to take tests and therefore lead to poor grades.
A lot of my patients find it challenging to do things such as finish assignments, organize their school binders, pick out details and focus while taking tests and quizzes. However, we can work together and find ways to overcome these challenges.
Do you have any tips for improving focus in teens?
It is important to not criticize them when they struggle to keep focused or need instructions repeated. Use encouragement and positive feedback to help them stay on task. Even when doing things such as familiar chores, you may need to give instructions again. It’s best to keep tasks short, with minimal steps and clear, precise instructions.
Teens with ADHD perform better with fewer distractions coming from the sights and sounds around them. Electronic devices overstimulate the brain and should be used in moderation. One great way to prevent boredom while spending less time on video games or TV is playing board games. There are many board games that can help keep teens stimulated and focused, while also providing valuable family time together.
Getting enough sleep and eating healthy foods are also very important steps to keep brains functioning at their best. Movement is critical to people with ADHD as it helps them prevent overloading and losing focus. Yoga poses, especially ones where the heart is above the head, are a powerful way to reset an overstimulated brain.
What can I do to help my child complete school assignments?
Selecting a classwork/homework location that has minimal distractions is important. At home, provide a quiet place to do homework and study with as little noise and visual distractions as possible. Teens with ADHD do not need much external stimuli to distract them, as their own thoughts can easily be a distraction.
Allow for timed breaks so that they can rest their thoughts. Encourage mental visualization such as picturing themselves on a beach or someplace that they enjoy being. A break can also be walking around the house or getting something to drink.
Organization is usually difficult for teens with ADHD and they likely need assistance to set up their workspace so that they can easily access the materials they will need. It is important to let the teen design the workspace to their liking, but they will need help getting it organized and keeping it organized. Their main job is to stay focused; the caregiver’s job is to make sure the environment is organized to help the teen stay on task.
Do you have any other tips for school organization?
Many parents ask me to help their teens keep school binders organized. I have found the greatest success by using different color pocket folders for each subject. Many times, teens will put their assignments and papers in the first available pocket regardless of the subject. For that reason, I recommend having one general pocket folder in the very front of their binder. One side of the pocket folder is marked “sort,” and the other side is marked “bring back to school.” When papers and assignments are handed out in class, the papers can all be put into the front pocket folder.
Every night the teen takes all papers out of the front pocket folder. After the papers are handled accordingly, the subject papers can be filed into the correct subject color folder, or placed into the “bring back to school” pocket in the front folder. This is an excellent way to teach teens organizational skills with the help of visual supports to categorize their schoolwork.
Do you have any tips for helping a teen with ADHD study for exams?
Providing a quiet place with the least amount of distractions will help maintain focus. Help the teen find the best study method for them. Some may prefer flash cards, while others may prefer reading out loud. Some may do better with someone reading the study questions to them.
Still, some may benefit from movement while they are studying. A therapy ball used as a chair, or an inflatable wiggle cushion can provide just enough stationary movement to help them stay focused. Squeezing a fidget while studying may also help maintain focus. Build breaks into study sessions. Movement, a drink of water, closing their eyes, rubbing their eyes, standing up and stretching are ways to take a short break to reset their focus and maximize their study time.
If you believe your child could benefit from occupational therapy services, or if you suspect they have ADHD, speak to their healthcare provider.
This article contains general information only and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or care by a qualified health care provider.
For more information about Keystone’s Occupational Therapy services, click here.
