Challenging ADHD Kids
| May 4, 2009 | Posted by Brenda under School |
ADHD kids are often highly intelligent, although their grades may not show it. In addition, the perception of others may be that they are not very bright.
If schoolwork is ridiculously easy for you, you’re bored all the time, and people think you’re dumb anyway, it’s often tempting to just quit trying.
As a parent, it’s hard to get them to do their work. If it really is that easy for them, it should take no time and then they would be done, right? Even if as a parent you recognize their intelligence and abilities, it’s hard to get the school or teacher to provide more challenging work when they aren’t doing the work they have.
There are a few things that you can try that might help the situation:
Talk to them. I’m a big fan of being as open and honest as I can be with my kids. Sit down, explain your concerns and ask them to tell you their side. No lecturing, no punishment, no arguing. Just listen and ask questions. Show them that you’re trying to understand things from their viewpoint.
Enlist their help in solving the problem. Deep down, they aren’t any happier about this than you are. Ask for ideas that would help.
Show them your vulnerable side and admit your mistakes. Did you get all A’s in school? Where did you struggle? Maybe instead of telling them about how you were captain of the cheerleaders, you could talk about how you almost failed 9th grade math.
If you can, see if you can get the teacher to add extra credit assignments. Anything more difficult that might challenge your child might work. Or see if they can choose the assignment themselves based on something they love to do. My son once made a website about Napoleon for extra credit because he enjoyed making websites.
Consider supplementing their classes with an online class or two. Most universities offer online classes and many will allow high school students to take them.
Find an outside activity that challenges them. If it’s something they enjoy, that challenge might be enough to give them the stimulus they need.
Consider hiring an ADD Coach or a tutor. If you’re hiring a tutor, make sure that it’s really the subject matter that’s causing the poor grades, and not just the ADHD. If you can find a tutor familiar with ADHD, that would be ideal. Many retired teachers offer tutoring and most have experience with ADHD.
Most of all, try to stay positive and offer encouragement as often as you can. Catching them doing well in school – no matter how small – can work wonders.
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