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Tutoring for ADHD

ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that is characterised by persistent levels of over activity, inattention, and impulsivity. ADHD Australia reports that up to 1 in 20 school children have ADHD. In saying this, ADHD does not influence a child’s intelligence; it impacts their ability to learn in typical classroom settings.

There are 3 types of ADHD, but it is important to keep in mind that ADHD affects each person differently and manifests in multiple ways.

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The 3 types of ADHD are:

Hyperactive ADHD

  • Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair
     

  • Has difficulty remaining seated
     

  • Runs about or climbs excessively
     

  • Extreme restlessness in adults
     

  • Difficulty engaging in activities quietly
     

  • Acts as if driven by a motor
     

  • Talks excessively
     

  • Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
     

  • Difficulty waiting or taking turns
     

  • Interrupts or intrudes upon others

Inattentive ADHD

  • Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
     

  • Has difficulty sustaining attention
     

  • Does not appear to listen
     

  • Struggles to follow through on instructions
     

  • Has difficulty with organisation
     

  • Avoids or dislikes tasks
     

  • Requiring a lot of thinking
     

  • Loses things
     

  • Easily distracted
     

  • Is forgetful in daily activities

Combined ADHD

  • Has symptoms from both Hyperactive & Inattentive ADHD

However, research and studies have shown students with ADHD are also:

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  • Calm under pressure

  • Creative

  • Non-linear thinkers

  • Notice things others miss

  • Adventurous spirit

  • Sensitive

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These are all attributes that we aim to encourage and nurture in our tutoring.

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  • High energy

  • A capacity for hyper focus in areas of passion

  • Rapid decision-making skills

  • Excellent debating skills

  • Great Verbal skills

How do we support students with
ADHD in their lessons?

To better understand and support students with ADHD, BTA tutors are encouraged to:

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  • Be flexible with the amount of work that needs to get done

  • Be patient

  • Be consistent with guidelines with expectations for lessons

  • Recognise and support individuality

  • Always maintain a positive teaching environment

  • Do not scold students when their attention wanes

  • Set firm limits on behaviour

  • Move around

  • Track progress and reward good work

  • Know when it’s time to move onto another task

Some ways BTA tutors are taught to conduct lessons for students with ADHD
(include but are not limited to):

  1. Keep a sticker chart that tracks a student's progress with spelling, times tables or any other skill

  2. Move around, remember to incorporate movement breaks during lessons. BTA have fidget spinners and standing desks at some of their academies.

  3.  For younger students, sometimes it will be beneficial to develop a set of ‘tutoring expectations’ that helps to create boundaries.

  4. Use multisensory learning activities.

  5. Structure lesson content with consideration of your students’ interests
     

For more information, we encourage you to visit ADHD Australia.

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