How to Do Good in School With Attention Deficit

Children and young adults diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty concentrating, sitting still and remaining on task. The colorful classroom environment that stimulates other children to learn often distracts ADD/ADHD students making it difficult to pay attention in class. The home environment with television, video games, toys and other siblings becomes equally distracting, making at home study just as difficult. In order to do well in school with an attention deficit disorder, the student must create a personal regime designed to organize and focus classroom and at home study.

Instructions

1

Devise an organizational system. Create one folder for homework to be done and one folder for homework completed. Write the due dates for each project and test on a calendar to identify adequate study time. Carry a notebook or electronic organizer to record homework assignments for each night so that homework does not pile up.

2

Divide study time into manageable chucks. Determine the maximum amount of time you can focus on a single subject without distraction. For example, plan to study for 30 minutes, do a load of laundry, study for 30 minutes, make/eat dinner and study again. Plan your study time to take into account frequent breaks. If it will take an hour to adequately study for a test, plan for an hour and a half with breaks.

3

Exercise often. Participation in sports or extracurricular activities helps students with ADD/ADHD burn off excess energy, allowing them to focus better. For high school students, scheduling P.E. earlier in the day may increase concentration during the rest of the school day. Exercising after school for young children as well as high school students may make homework time more productive. College students can take advantage of breaks between classes to hit the gym or take a brisk walk around campus.

4

Create a personal focusing habit. Take a small, soft ball to class that can be squeezed while reading or listening to the teacher. Young children may like a pocket-sized stuffed animal that can be stroked. Occupying the hands with a habitual movement helps the mind to focus on the task at hand. High school and college students may be allowed to chew gum in class.

5

Identify and create an ideal study environment. Some people study best in complete silence, while others require soft background noise such as a radio or television. You may want to study with others to keep yourself on task, while other attention deficit students find company distracting.

6

Find a tutor or study-buddy. Tutors will help keep you on task and can help fill in gaps in your education from past and current classes. Use a study-buddy to compare notes before or after class to ensure you are getting a complete overview of lectures.

7

Communicate with teachers or professors. Let your instructors know that you have an attention deficit disorder. Ask for additional hand-outs or exact page numbers in the text that complement the lecture to provide you with supplemental information.