How do I get my ADHD child to attend to online teaching/school?

Question

With online schooling today, many ADHD and other needs kids are being left behind because the format is even less individualized than school! What to do??

Answer 1

ADHD children need a lot of structure, positivity, patience, and attention. I find that if you can structure their day accordingly, then work becomes less stressful. Making and posting a daily schedule for them in a place where they can see it helps them maintain focus because they can see how their day is planned out, even time for breaks. This will help children become somewhat more focused because they will know how much time they have for things that they want to do and when they can do it.

If you want to reward them in order to motivate them, then the rewards have to come in a short amount of time or they will lose interest. For example, if they finish one subject of homework, they can have 15 minutes of iPad time. Then they can work on something else. They aren’t focused enough to see long term goals and rewards.

Also, having fidget things around while they are learning helps to relax their brain and focus on what the teacher is talking about. I let my son draw, play with a Rubik’s cube, use poppers, or make sure there is something around that he can have in his hands while learning. He actually works better.

I also have him write down each assignment as the teacher gives it. Then we go back on the computer where the teachers put the homework in order to make sure he’s written everything down. Then we color code the assignments by which one has the highest priority. For example, if something is due in a day then that is high priority, a test that happens in a week is middle priority until one or two days before, then it becomes high priority. I find that this system works because he can see what he has to work on in a glance and not have to go into teacher’s individual pages and see what assignments he has.

They also need accountability within the structure of their day. Sometimes things can get overwhelming for them so that in order to cope with work, they avoid their work and it builds up. This then makes it more difficult for them to want to catch up on their work and the cycle continues. So they need a checklist or someone they trust to hold them accountable for their work. This is where I come in. I will help them organize their work, give them positive feedback, and hold them accountable for their assignments.

Answer 2

As a person with personal and professional experience, one of the best ways to get your child to attend during online learning is to find what motivates them. What are their biggest interests? Keep these highly preferred items around during the online lessons. They can use fidgets, and take breaks! You can start with 5 mins of attending, then 10 mins of break and adjust as you see fit with their behavior!

Be patient. That is most important. Calm voices, less noises and distractions. Studies show that people with ADHD can have some hypersensitivity to sounds, attitudes, etc.

Answer 3

With online teaching and learning, build skills and focus with their interests and what they can learn in the home using math or reading. Students may focus longer when reading a recipe, adding fractions, numbers of amount needed, measuring and getting the skills that helps them learn online. Limit amount of time online to allow for breaks and time to focus. Time of day will also help with students focus. Students focus more in the morning in the classroom so start with the classes/lessons that are more difficult for them to focus.

Answer 4

Strategy: The Use of Incentives

As an experienced special education teacher, my primary goal is to help students learn. First and foremost I focus on developing authentic relationships with each of my students. Within the framework of building a positive relationship, I learn about the child's interests. Those interests can be used as powerful incentives and integrated into the lesson. For instance, I have built a 4th grade reading comprehension program for a student with an Emotional Disturbance and ADHD around trains. All the content was of interest and a testament of my ability to specifically target lessons to the individual needs of each of my students. Additionally, I use my student's interests as an incentive. One example is that after the lesson, I allow my student to show me his/her favorite toy, talk about a new video game or even what is on his/her mind. I take time to listen, reaffirm and highly praise the smallest of victories. Patience is everything. Understanding the learning threshold of each student and using that threshold to guide the lesson is extremely effective. I don't necessarily focus on the fact that a child has ADHD or any other disability, I address the child as a whole with specific needs.

Answer 5

What to do? Sensory Integration is the key. I'm not just a teacher/tutor and behavioral therapist---I am also the mom of my own kiddo with special needs (high functioning autism, ADD, ODD) and understanding sensory integration CHANGED my child and my life, so much so that the principal at our school years ago allowed me to teach other parents, teachers, and herself about what sensory integration is and why it's important to help ALL kids, not just ones with special needs. We have TWO sensory systems--Vestibular (balance) and Proprioceptive (has to do with our muscles) and long ago we all used to work out in fields farming and being physical so our systems were getting the "input" they needed all the time--not so today. And right now, kids are being told to sit still and "watch this video" for online schooling, when in physical school they got to stand up,carry heavy things, walk to a different classroom/to cafeteria/to lunch/to the bathroom even---their bodies were allowed to have movement and input. What's the problem with online schooling? Needing to sit so long! SO WHAT'S THE ANSWER? HOW DO WE GET THESE KIDS THE SENSORY INPUT THAT THEIR BODIES NEED? By incorporating the movement activities listed in books such as The Out of Sync Child, 404 Deskside Activities for Energetic Kids, and even the book called The Art of Roughhousing. Before your child has to sit and do school, have him do something that helps his system such as jump on a trampoline, smush himself into a beanbag chair or couch cushions, jump up and down several times, wrap him in a blanket rolled up like a taco then release him--there are HUNDREDS of ways to give kids "sensory input" that will HELP THEM ATTEND BETTER, and I have specialized in teaching kids with ADHD and other needs for years, understanding this need to get up and get their systems settled before we can really focus together!!! I taught a 6 year old how to read while we were jumping up and down--a child who kicked bit and punched other tutors at the center I was working with, learned to read with me because I knew what he needed/how to help him. I have taught the multiplication tables to a child while he was scootering around a table in the backyard! Whatever their bodies/their systems tell them they need, I ALLOW WHILE TEACHING and this can certainly be done online as well because accepting a child as he/she is helps that child have more confidence and the more confident the child, the more learning can be achieved!

If you want to know more about how to help your child while we're all "stuck" in our homes right now (and thus help yourself too--I ran a parent support group for special needs for several years so I have tips for moms' survival too!!!) contact me for help and also tutoring! Your child and I will have a blast making learning FUN while still taking care of their sensitive sensory systems so that they can focus and learn!!!

Answer 6

I'm so sorry to hear that this is happening! It is hard to give you a good answer without knowing more details/knowing your student, but here are some ideas:

1. Reach out to your student's teacher. A lot of teachers are experiencing challenges with online instruction, especially since it is much harder to know how students are doing. Your teachers should be able to give you information about what to prioritize and may also have access to paraeducators or other supportive people who could work with your student remotely to support their learning. Many school districts are also offering flexibility from a grading and work perspective, so your student's teacher may be able to customize the work to your student.
2. If your student has an IEP, reach out to their special educator. Special educators are working hard to fulfill IEPs remotely and should be able to talk with you about how to make this new version of school work better for your student. If your student isn't on an IEP but is having difficulty with work and your school has Title 1 interventionists/tutors/teachers/a Title 1 coordinator, this also might be another school adult who you could connect with.
3. Tutoring is also an option, if that is accessible for you. Sometimes students need a person to help them get focused, get organized, or help them access content. There are many tutoring options. Some schools can connect you with tutors (potentially through the guidance department). I know of high school and college students who are offering free or low cost tutoring to students in their areas. Wyzant is also an option; I know that I, and probably other tutors, are offering flexible rates if people reach out, so please feel free to contact me.

Again, this is a very general list. I hope this helps!