Supporting Children with ADHD
We have all heard of the disorder ADHD, but what is it actually, and how does it affect our children's learning? According to a 2022 CDC report, 11.4% of children in the United States between the ages of 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder. This fact has changed the way teaching is conducted throughout North America, making resources for these kids more readily available. Some common symptoms of ADHD include difficulty initiating tasks, forgetting to complete them, trouble following multi-step instructions, and being easily distracted by their surroundings. These challenges can drastically impact a child's learning and severely set them back without the proper teaching style. Applying the same teaching methods to children with and without ADHD creates a significant disadvantage for those with the disorder, showing us that teaching needs to evolve in order to account for those who learn a little bit differently.
When helping children with ADHD, it's important to create a structured routine that they follow closely. This can help them stay on track with their work and reduce anxiety, as they know what to expect. This can be done in the classroom, at home, and in pretty much any aspect of life. Another way to assist in a child's learning is to break tasks into smaller more manageable pieces, instead of presenting the whole thing at once. This allows the child to process the task faster and reduce the chance of getting overwhelmed. This feeds into the strategy of providing the child with positive reinforcement as it can also reduce the possibility of a negative reaction occurring. Positive reinforcement allows for growth in a more efficient way.
The most effective way to support a child with ADHD is for parents to understand how to best meet their child's unique needs.
This is why working with a Kelowna child therapist can be incredibly valuable. Child therapy not only helps the child develop strategies to manage their ADHD but also teaches the parents how to create a supportive, structured environment at home. A close partnership between the child, parents, and a Kelowna child counsellor, helps build trust and creates meaningful progress. The child’s counsellor and the parents working together is vital, as they are able to create a specific plan related to the child, which allows them to perform to the best of their ability. It's also important that the parents work closely with the school and communicate their child's needs to their teachers. This allows for the child to receive a different type of learning that includes having extra time on tests and more one-on-one time with teachers. These are just a few examples of little things at school that can make a drastic impact on the child's success. Supporting children with ADHD takes patience and planning, but nowadays we have a much better understanding of the disorder and have resources that make it significantly easier for parents and teachers to help these kids grow and thrive.
There are many different ways we can support children with ADHD, one way is supporting their nervous system to have access to more regulation. Safe & Sound Protocol developed by Stephen Porges can be a very effective and supportive modality, as well as Somatic Experiencing. At Empowered Solutions Counselling, the team has a wealth of experience and knowledge in supporting children with ADHD.
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Kimberly Castle, Master Therapeutic Counsellor
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Kimberly Castle is a Registered Counsellor with a private practice in beautiful Kelowna, BC. She focuses on Kelowna Counselling Solutions to empower individuals in all areas of their life. In her practice, she and her team work with individuals on various topics, including trauma, self-esteem, and counselling for children.
Blog contribution by Olson Russello, an undergraduate student at the University of Washington
