ABC Hut Home Schooling Ideas

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurological disorder that affects the portions of the brain that controls the executive functions and impulse control.

The primary symptoms are forgetfulness, often seen as an inability to remember simple tasks, hyperactivity and distractibility.

As children, these individuals often have difficulty sitting still, finishing a task and remembering what they were supposed to do. They act before thinking and rarely think about the possible consequences of their actions.

In adults it usually manifests itself as a high energy, overachiever who seems to be revving on high most of the time. It is also the adult who is constantly loosing things.

Statistics show that the disorder affects approximately 4% of the population. The disease is more prevalent in boys. Girls tend to demonstrate the attention difficulties without the hyperactivity.

A positive experience

The ADHD child is highly distractible. Everything from busy bulletin boards to humming lights or a pencil being sharpened can divert attention away from the lesson.

The constant inability to focus on the lesson makes a traditional classroom in a school a very difficult environment in which to succeed.

Their impulses to move create problems in a classroom where many children are present. They may create trouble as noise excites them very much. Thus, home schooling an ADHD child is often an advantageous decision.

Understanding the disorder

ADHD is not cured, it is managed.

When you verbally ask you son, to go upstairs and get his novel, pencil case and note book, and he returns with only the novel is a result of the disorder.

Wiggling and squirming in the chair is also a result of the disorder. Reprimands or stiff consequences are not going to change the behavior.

You wouldn’t expect your diabetic child to shape up and eat sugar like everyone else would you? Don’t expect your ADHD child to sit and learn like everyone else.  

Understanding the symptoms and needs of ADHD is paramount. Without an understating of the disorder home schooling an ADHD child will become very frustrating for both of you.

Find support for yourself and your child

Another important factor that may help you while home schooling an ADHD child is to utilize support groups in your area and online. Parents can exchange their experiences about the problems they face while home schooling an ADHD child.

Medication is only one way of managing ADHD

Often children with ADHD are treated with high doses of medicine in order to function in the school environment. There are many alternatives that can be tried. Medication treats the symptoms, but it does not eliminate the disorder nor does it teach the child the necessary skills.

Special strategies and skills

Often these students respond well to special teaching strategies in order to grasp new skills. Hands on, fast paced real life learning is key.

Here are a few ideas:

• Give you child 2 areas to work about 20 feet apart. When he/she feels the need to move they simply pick up their work, walk to the other space, sit down and work. This allows the child to move but still establishes parameters. Note: there may be frequent trips back and for the first few days but the novelty will quickly wear off
• Give them a large ball to sit on rather than a chair. Exercise balls are perfect. Another quick solution is to fill up a hot water bottle and put it on the chair. For many this allows enough movement to expel some of the extra energy
• Give then one thing to do at a time or write multiple things on a list
• Have them repeat back to you the instructions and identify the number of things they need to do. Get 3 items from their room – hold up 3 fingers
• Allow them to walk in circles or up and down the stairs when doing repetitive tasks like memorization
• Many of these children have a very difficult time dealing with handwriting which of course affects every aspect of their schooling. One program that can be quite effective for teaching them hand writing is handwriting without tears: ( www.sonlight.com/handwriting-without-tears.html )
• Teach them computer skills if possible. Computers can be fast paces but they also keep things neat and orderly which is an area with which they need help
• Set frequent breaks. Using a clock or timer is also a good idea. The time timer clock is a highly recommended tool. It allows the child to see time passing.

Proves to be worth the effort

While home schooling may not be an easy option in some families with an ADHD child it is a beneficial form of education.

It works wonders for these children. An ADHD child receiving home schooling may not require medication. Experts feel that home schooling an ADHD child offers an excellent environment tailored to the specific needs of the child.

Home schooling also suits the ADHD child, because the educational environment is then centered on the child.

For many families, the only alternative to home schooling an ADHD child is to treat their children with high doses of medication and then send them to normal schools, but this can have long tem side effects.

As far as curriculum for home schooling an ADHD child is concerned, a lot of resources are available on the internet. You should consider some of them and judge the pros and cons of each before buying.

Remember it is the method of instruction along with the ability to control the environment that is the true benefit of home schooling an ADHD child.

And considering that an autistic child could be diagnosed with ADHD, you read about home schooling the autistic child and effective strategies.

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