Tutoring ADHD students: Tips to make it work

Key Highlights

• ADHD is one of the most common brain disorders in children
• ADHD impacts the academic performance of students
• A tailored approach can improve the academic performance of students with ADHD

Introduction

“Everyone shines, given the right lighting.” – Susan Cain

Tutoring ADHD students goes beyond providing academic guidance. It requires you to embrace their energy and find ways to channel it to improve focus. 

Earlier, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was believed to be a childhood disorder. However, studies show that ADHD symptoms can continue into adulthood as well. Today, 1 in 9 college students have an ADHD diagnosis.

These students face unique challenges. Hence, tailoring tutoring programs as per their requirements is very important. 

In this blog, we offer you some effective tips to tutor students with ADHD. However, any good learning is incomplete without understanding the fundamentals. So, we also offer you deep insights into understanding ADHD and its key challenges.

Practical Tips for Successful Tutoring Sessions

Breaking Down Tasks into Manageable Parts

Staying focused on a task for a long time is difficult for students with ADHD. It is one of the most common challenges faced. When tutoring ADHD folks, you will need to work on strategies to improve attention. 

Breaking down tasks into smaller parts will help reduce stress and maintain focus.

You can also incorporate short breaks during your sessions. Frequent breaks can help manage hyperactivity and restlessness. Additionally, set mini-deadlines to be on track and celebrate the small wins. Remember, encouragement goes a long way in restoring someone’s confidence in themselves. 

Incorporating Movement and Hands-on Activities

If you have dealt with an ADHD child before, you know how hard it can be for them to stay still. Since these folks have a constant need for movement, you provide opportunities for it.

Research also shows that movement helps students with ADHD. Physical activity improves symptoms and enhances quality of life. It helps them manage their energy and stay focused.

ADHD folks may struggle with traditional and lecture-based teaching methods. Giving them opportunities for practical learning helps them to understand abstract concepts better. Activities can include:

• Hands-on learning,
• DIY projects,
• Lab experiments,
• Sensory play,
• Storytelling, and more.

Using Visual Aids and Interactive Tools

Traditional teaching methods and heavy lectures can often overwhelm learners with ADHD.

A friend who is tutoring ADHD students swears by visual aids and interactive tools, as visual aids like charts, diagrams, and infographics can simplify complex ideas. 

She shared an incident where a student with ADHD struggled with market structures. When everything else failed to help, she turned to interactive tools for help.

Using mind-mapping software, she created visual maps to simplify each market type. It helped the student master the concept.

Understanding ADHD and Its Impact on Learning

ADHD is a common brain disorder in children. It causes differences in brain growth, development, and function. These differences impact how a person thinks, processes emotions, and behaves.

One very important thing to know here is that ADHD is not a learning disability in itself. But, it does impact the learning and academic performance of students. That’s because ADHD affects executive function – the skills required to achieve goals.

You may have noticed that your students with ADHD find it difficult to focus on tasks for long. They may also exhibit hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as excessive talking and restlessness.

Tutoring ADHD learners requires you to understand all these aspects of ADHD. Because in the absence of this awareness, you will not be able to develop effective strategies. 

The Key Challenges Faced by Students with ADHD

We all know that every person is different, and so are their challenges. The same is the case with students with ADHD. Yes, while it is easy to categorize symptoms, it is difficult to box people. Each person with ADHD faces unique challenges. Making it difficult to meet the expectations of a structured learning environment.

And as they grow, they face more complex challenges. This is what happens to students with ADHD when they enter college. Increased academic and social demands make it harder to manage emotions and time.

Also, the impact of these challenges is felt beyond classrooms. It affects their interaction with teachers, peers, family, and friends.

Following are some of the key challenges faced by ADHD students:

Trouble Concentrating: Focus is the key when it comes to academics. It determines a student’s success. It is for this reason that students with ADHD may fall behind their peers in academics.

ADHD impairs an individual’s ability to stay focused on a task. Activities that are lengthy, repetitive, and lack immediate interest can be challenging. As a result, students may miss crucial information, resulting in learning gaps.

Impulsivity: ADHD may cause students to act without thinking. Impulsivity can lead to interruptions and speaking out of turn in the classroom. It can also interrupt peer relationships. This is because ADHD individuals may struggle to follow social norms and behavior.

Hyperactivity:  The constant need for movement is common in people with ADHD. Though more visible in kids, hyperactivity can be a challenge for adults as well.

Quiet activities such as tests and story time may highlight hyperactivity even more. Movement or fidgeting helps students with ADHD to focus. You must look for ways to manage hyperactivity among folks with ADHD.

Lack of Time Management: Students with ADHD often struggle with time management. It shows in their inability to meet deadlines, incomplete assignments, and disorganized schedules.

How ADHD Affects Motivation and Focus

It is easy to say that someone is not motivated enough to work hard. But it is difficult to understand why they are not! Motivation is personal and depends on many factors.

Lack of motivation in ADHD individuals is one of the most common challenges. That’s because an ADHD brain processes motivation differently.

A good tutor must understand this and shouldn’t mistake it for laziness and lack of willpower. Associating lack of motivation with laziness fuels mental health stigma. 

However, this lack of motivation is not uniform for all tasks. One of the most confusing things about ADHD is its inconsistent impact on motivation. When tutoring ADHD students, you may find that they often excel at new and engaging tasks. But may struggle with repetitive and tedious ones.

Your job as a good tutor is to keep students involved, regardless of the task.

Tailoring Your Approach to Tutoring Students with ADHD

“ADHD is not a disability, it’s a different ability.” – Edward M. Hallowell.

Yes, as an ADHD coach, you must understand the unique needs and challenges of each student. Focus on their strengths and provide them with tailored support. Work towards creating a supportive and distraction-free learning environment.

Establishing a Positive and Supportive Environment

The learning environment determines the success and motivation of students at all levels. Thus, creating a supportive and positive tutoring environment is very important.

You must incorporate patience and flexibility to help your students. Also, use positive reinforcement throughout your tutoring process. When tutoring ADHD students, focus on establishing a strong tutor-student relationship.

Strategies for Enhancing Focus and Engagement

There are several strategies you can use when tutoring ADHD students. Here are a few of them that you can use with your students depending on their challenges:

• Create structured routines.
• Break down tasks.
• Reduce distractions,
• Allow movement breaks,
• Use personalized teaching techniques. Online tutors at My Engineering Buddy are experts in it.
  
• Help your student practice mindfulness to improve focus and reduce stress.
• Using fidgets, memory games, and adjusting the environment can also improve focus.

As you can see, you have a diverse role to play when it comes to tutoring ADHD students. Also, remember that these are broad strategies. You need to tailor them to the needs of students.

Conclusion

Tutoring ADHD individuals is a work of patience and compassion. Tutors must understand the unique needs and challenges of students. An inclusive environment will ensure their academic success and strengthen their social skills.

Questions:

What are effective strategies for maintaining attention in students with ADHD?

There are many effective strategies for maintaining attention in students with ADHD. Tutors can limit distractions, use positive reinforcement, and break tasks into doable parts. Additionally, you can incorporate short breaks and hands-on activities.

How can tutors adjust their communication style for students with ADHD?

Start by understanding the diverse needs of your learners. Couple your verbal communication with non-verbal communication strategies. Using eye contact and visual aids can foster a more inclusive learning environment.