ADHD Homework Help

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ADHD Homework Help

Attention Deficit Disorders and homework don't mix. We have tips for parents to

help their kids get the job done.

ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric condition

characterized by inability to pay attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and

distractibility. There are three main types. The predominantly attentive type is

marked by an inability to pay attention to details, sustaining attention,

finishing tasks, poor organization skills, easy distraction, forgetfulness and

losing items. The predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type is associated with

difficulty sitting still, impulsive behaviors, excessive talking or speaking out

of turn, difficulty taking turns and listening to directions. A person with the

combined type has characteristics of both the inattentive and

hyperactive-impulsive types.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than 4.5 million

children 5 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. The condition affects up to 7

percent of all schoolchildren, including 9 percent of boys and 5.9 percent of

girls. Children with ADHD often have other conditions as well, such as learning

disorders, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder

and obsessive disorder.

ADHD and School

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports up to 80 percent of children with

ADHD have problems with academic performance. They may have trouble paying

attention to the teacher, completing assignments, lose their materials or forget

to hand in homework (even if completed). Researchers say children with ADHD are

especially likely to have problems in reading and math. Those with more severe

symptoms were two to three times more likely to have poorer academic outcomes

(like failing grades or dropping out of school). A big frustration for parents

and teachers is that a child with ADHD may perform well one day and poorly the

next, without any reasonable explanation for the differences in achievement.

Homework Help

Soffer, Ph.D., Child Psychologist with The Children's Hospital of

Philadelphia, says homework can be particularly difficult for children with

ADHD. A child may not remember to bring homework home, how to do the assignment

or when assignments are due (particularly if they are involved tasks, like a

report). They are often tired by the end of the school day and have an even

harder time staying focused on homework. Here are some tips to reduce

frustration levels of parents and children with ADHD:

Stay in touch with the teacher. Make sure you are aware of what homework

assignments are due and when. If a child is having a difficult time with a

particular assignment, the teacher should be informed so that the child can be

given additional help at school.

Establish a routine. Try to schedule homework to be done at the same time/place

every day. Limit distractions (like television, radio or phone calls).

Gather all materials and supplies before starting. This prevents wasting time

and enables the child to immediately focus on the homework.

Break up assignments into smaller tasks. Completing a few questions or segments

of an assignment at a time may reduce frustration and distraction. Take a small

break after completion of each mini-session to allow the child to refresh.

Set a time limit. Soffer says, with teacher agreement, determine a realistic

amount of time to be set aside each night for homework. If the child doesn’t

finish an assignment within that time frame, let the teacher know how much was

accomplished.

Offer encouragement and reinforcement. Praise the child for completing

assignments, particularly ones that may have been very challenging or are done

well.

Soffer cautions it can take a lot of trial and error to find the homework help

methods that work best for a child. However, research shows that children who

receive homework help are more likely to perform better academically than those

who don’t get any extra support.

AUDIENCE INQUIRY

For general information on ADHD:

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, http://www.aacap.org

American Academy of Pediatrics, http://www.healthychildren.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov

National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov

National Resource Center on ADHD, http://www.help4adhd.org

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Buitelaar, Jan, and Rossella Medori, “Treating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity

Disorder Beyond Symptom Control Along in Children and Adolescents,” European

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, April 2010, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 325-340.

Galera, Cedric, et al., “Childhood and Adolescent Hyperactivity-Inattention

Symptoms and Academic Achievement 8 Years Later,” Psychological Medicine,

November 2009, Vol. 39, No. 11, pp. 1895-1906.

Langberg, J., et al., “Parent-Reported Homework Problems in the MTA Study,”

Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, March 2010, Vol. 39, No. 2,

pp. 220-233.

Molina, B., et al., “Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an After-School

Program for Middle-Schoolers with ADHD,” Journal of Attention Disorders,

November 2008, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 207-217.

Rader, , M.D., D.Ph., et al., “Current Strategies in the Diagnosis and

Treatment of Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder,” American

Family Physician, April 15, 2009, Vol. 79, No. 8, pp. 657-665.

Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister

© 2010 Medstar Television, Inc.