My kid is so smart, why is he/she struggling so much in school?
Children and adolescents diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may experience various struggles, which are most often related to executive functioning skills and self-esteem. They can be highly capable students, however, skills such as organization, time management, problem-solving, planning, and managing distractions and impulses, can prevent them from becoming successful academically and contribute to an overall sense of failure and not belonging.
It is important to note that the areas of need will vary depending on the uniqueness of the child or adolescent and the type of diagnosis. There is the ADHD combined type, which is characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors as well as inattention and distractibility. Or a child may be diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type only. Additionally, it is common for children and adolescents with ADHD to also suffer from generalized anxiety.
Learning Differences and Different Abilities
My main focus when working with students with ADHD is to have them understand that they have a learning difference and different abilities, not a learning disability. This allows them to recognize their strengths, which often are born of creativity, spontaneity, and the ability to hyper-focus when they’re intrinsically interested in something (among others).
This does not mean that the child or adolescents should only focus on what they like. Rather, it means that they need to build confidence first and then work on developing strategies and skills that will empower them and help them to control their thoughts and behavior, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable, fulfilling, and successful life.
Strategies and Coping Mechanisms
Several strategies and coping mechanisms can be taught and adapted to work in different environments, such as school, home, and social situations. The parents and teachers of the child or adolescent should be involved since they are part of the support system and can be very helpful or detrimental during the process (if they are unaware that they have been reinforcing a particular negative behavior, for example).
A couple of skills and strategies that help with executive functioning and ADHD symptoms include:
- Grounding and mindfulness techniques
- Emotional regulation skills
- Positive self-talk
- Increased stamina using more attractive assignments (taking into account the client’s passions and interests) to increase time focused on tasks
- Learning how to use visual reminders and visual organizers
- Developing daily habits, such as using a planner and timers. (The Pomodoro timer is a research-based technique that involves breaking down work into 25-minute intervals, with five-minute breaks in between.) It helps students improve concentration and task completion
- Explicit modeling of how to self-advocate
- Learning how to break down multi-step instructions/assignments (ex: use different colored pens) and list out all steps needed to complete lengthier assignments
- Organizing working space and make better choices to minimize distractions
- Understanding and accepting challenges to create achievable short and long-term goals
- Embracing failure as part of the learning process
Our psychotherapist, Marcela Amaral, has a master’s degree in Special Education and is specialized in ADHD and anxiety.
Youtube Video: Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe |
Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiwZQNYlGQI
Our psychotherapist, Marcela Amaral, has a master’s degree in Special Education and is specialized in ADHD and anxiety.
About Alive Wellness
ALIVE WELLNESS is a renowned therapy center in the heart of Hong Kong, helping clients improving their health and achieving holistic wellbeing. Its integrative approach to healing assisting patients to open up emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Designed to treat the ‘whole being’ ALIVE WELLNESS is a holistic therapy center that inspires people to take action on their dreams and live lives they once only imagined.
Its popular holistic physiotherapy treatmenteliminates muscle and joint ache and enhances current muscle movement by providing greater physical flexibility.
ALIVE WELLNESS center aims to share knowledge and raise awareness of holistic health, wellbeing and spirituality.
About Alice Yuen
Alice is the founder of Alive Wellness, a registered Physiotherapist who has also been practicing Acupuncture for around two decades. Drawing upon her broad spectrum of diagnostic and advanced manual therapy skills, Alice offers a ‘whole body and mind’ treatment approach. Alice believes physical ailments are signals that our body is giving us to bring our attention to our lives and to listen to our inner wisdom. She guides people to reconnect their inner-self and guidance, and walk on their journey with joy and love.
