How to Study With ADHD

An estimated 7 million children in the United States between the ages of three and 17 have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The experience of having ADHD is unique for each child. However, a familiar struggle that bonds most people with ADHD is maintaining concentration and remembering details. Particularly for children, this can cause considerable difficulties with their schoolwork, such as test performance.

Although having ADHD does not affect intellectual intelligence, it means children have to find learning mechanisms that work for them. ADHD does not limit your child’s potential for academic excellence, but it is essential to recognize how frustrating it can be to put in more effort to learn than their peers.

Let’s explore strategies to help your child learn how to focus on studying with ADHD.

Common Challenges of Studying With ADHD 

ADHD affects students in different ways. From planning and organizing to absorbing written information, structuring sentences, and writing with concision, students with ADHD may struggle in various areas of learning and conducting executive function tasks. Here are the common challenges to recognize with your children:

• Inattentive to important dates: For students with ADHD, keeping track of important dates — such as assignment deadlines and exam dates — can be challenging. ADHD can increase forgetfulness and is commonly associated with “brain fog,” which can cause temporary sluggishness and slow the brain’s thinking abilities.
• Poor time management: It may be challenging for your child to manage their time effectively. People with ADHD often experience time blindness, meaning they might underestimate or overestimate how long tasks take, which can throw off their schedules or cause them to fall behind on time-sensitive assignments.
• Low focus and concentration: If a school subject is not particularly interesting to your child, they may struggle to maintain concentration. Participation in classroom activities, completing mathematics assignments, or reading a book can also prove challenging if your child considers them non-preferred activities.
• Feeling unmotivated: Feeling unmotivated is another key signal of ADHD due to the brain’s dopamine function. Students with ADHD may need to receive praise, fulfillment, and rewards to feel motivated in a classroom.
• Procrastinating over work: People with ADHD tend to procrastinate more, and those with more significant ADHD symptoms are even more likely to procrastinate. Avoiding assignments until the last minute, becoming easily distracted, and struggling to decide which task to complete next are common behaviors associated with procrastination and ADHD.

6 Ways to Help Your Child Study When They Have ADHD

To create a customized plan that best suits your child’s development, it’s key to try out various strategies to maintain concentration and focus. Below are six ways your child can improve their learning patterns at school and complete their schoolwork:

1. Be Proactive About Organization

Coming up with a plan to finish an assignment or a host of tasks can boost your child’s motivation and prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. A great place to start is by listing the tasks in order of urgency. If some tasks or subjects are broad or complex, segment them into smaller, more manageable tasks. Tasks that take less time to complete can appear less daunting to children with ADHD.

Setting deadlines for these tasks can also help your child feel a sense of achievement. If an assignment is due on Monday morning and your child needs to work on it over the weekend, set multiple deadlines to check their progress. To reduce morning stress, ensure your child packs their school bag and sets out their clothes the night before.

2. Make Sure to Prioritize Sleep 

It is common for children with ADHD to experience issues with sleep, including late bedtimes, insomnia, and waking up in the night. However, some children with ADHD may sleep for extended periods of time. To create a suitable bedtime routine, there are some techniques you can use to make a difference:

• Limit the amount of sugar a few hours before bedtime.
• Ensure the bedroom remains dark and quiet.
• Create a bedtime routine that is enjoyable for your child.
• Avoid evening activities that require deep focus and concentration.
• Encourage your child to stay off their screens late at night.
• Follow a regular bedtime and set an alarm to wake up at the same time each day.

3. Keep a Regular Exercise Routine

Consistent, long-term exercise helps children with ADHD improve their cognitive functions, and regular exercise also enhances their concentration and focus. Think about creating an exercise regimen that is both fun and stimulating. For example, organize bike rides, take them swimming, or have fun adventures at the park.

Set up playdates with friends and sign them up for extracurricular activities, such as martial arts or sports. Finding fun exercises to do for about 30 minutes a day can help students with ADHD function, focus, and feel better.

4. Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Children with ADHD may take longer than their peers to complete schoolwork and other assignments if they often underestimate the time they need to complete a task. If your child estimates an assignment will take four hours but does not factor in breaks or research, they are likely to exceed this timeline.

When setting out goals and deadlines from to-do lists, be sure to factor in buffers. Think realistically about the additional time it will take to complete a task, and factor that extra time into your estimate. Buffers account for potential distractions and allow your child to avoid feeling disappointed for not reaching a deadline without the extra time.

5. Encourage Breaks

Taking breaks affects educational achievement for all children because regular breaks allow them to expend any excess energy and boost concentration for assignments. Children with ADHD can especially benefit from breaks because this downtime can help them retain more information and feel less overwhelmed. When setting deadlines and goals with your child, be sure to incorporate time for breaks to avoid burnout. Breaks may include taking a short walk away from the study area, doing a relaxing activity, or making a snack.

6. Try Creative Studying Hacks

Students with ADHD often find it challenging to take in information. Finding unique and creative methods to keep your child engaged is ideal for helping them retain material. Consider the following techniques for your child:

• Use different color pens to highlight information for assignments.
• Limit distractions by removing mobile phones and using noise-canceling headphones.
• Allow them to take short walks or stand up while learning to stay alert.
• Record voice memos to help retain information from classes.
• Set task reminders and deadlines to ensure completion.
• Encourage your child to read schoolwork out loud.

Choose Commonwealth Charter Academy for Personalized Learning

Are you looking for a distinctive educational experience for your child that goes beyond the traditional classroom? CCA delivers a collaborative and personalized approach to learning across grades K-12, offering flexibility with schedules and tailoring programs to individual needs. CCA empowers your child to learn in ways that work well for them.

Your child can thrive in career-readiness programs through the CCAWorks^® initiative. The program offers training and knowledge in areas including technology, agriculture, medicine, digital media, skilled trades, and more. Ready to learn more about the enrollment process? Explore how to enroll your child at CCA or request more information about our cyber school environment.