Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Expert Advice on ADHD and Learning Problems

Another common symptom of ADHD is lack of focus, which hampers a child's learning ability.

"They have a lot of trouble sustaining mental effort on tasks that they don't enjoy – like homework," Ashley says. It's not because they're being stubborn.

"ADHD kids can't think about the consequences if they don't get [their homework] done," she says. "They're not doing it on purpose; they can only focus short-term – they think about now."

Their lack of concentration can compound the harmful effects of a learning disability, making it even more difficult for them to process information. So they get anxious, then stubborn, Ashley says.

"They don't know how to do it and don't want to do it, so they don't," she continues.

So what advice on ADHD and other problems does she offer parents for their children?

"Get them tested for coexisting conditions as soon as you suspect they have issues that go beyond their ADHD diagnosis," Ashley recommends. "The earlier the better, so they can get the extra help they need" from a special education program or tutor. The school dropout rate for teens with at least one learning disability is around 40%, she says.

Most important, don't assume your child can't have a learning problem simply because they're bright or creative. Learning disabilities occur across the IQ spectrum, as does ADHD, Ashley explains.