Middle school represents a giant leap forward for all children, but the distance seems farther for kids with ADHD. Middle schoolers must exercise more elaborate cognitive strategies, coordinate the demands of various courses and activities, and cope with the pressure cooker of adolescent social life. Often, the required skills are the ones that pose the greatest challenge for ADDers, and many students who excelled in grade school have a hard time keeping up.
Academics: Building on Basics
Having learned the three Rs in grade school, middle school students are poised to integrate and build on basic skills. New-found cognitive strengths allow them to think deductively, to use abstraction and interpretation, and to understand ambiguity in language - skills that begin to be reflected in classroom discussions and student compositions. For children with ADHD, the academic stakes are higher, and so they need learning strategies more than ever.
WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO
- Sharpen study skills. Some ADDers have trouble storing and retrieving memories - an obstacle to effective studying. Teach them how to identify and review material that's likely to appear on tests. In textbooks, point out clues to important information: colored fonts, sidebars, chapter summaries.
- Use "question words" as cues. In studying photosynthesis, for example, ask: Where does it occur? Why is it an important process for the plant?
- Create a math memento. Success in mathematics also requires memory, including recall of the steps needed to solve a problem. Have students write model problems and mathematical formulas on note cards. Punch a hole in the corner of each, and attach them to a key ring for easy reference.
- Raise reading awareness. Effective use of written materials requires reading critically, skimming rapidly, and scanning to find facts. ADDers may have trouble with all of these - losing focus when skimming or scanning, and difficulty comprehending and restating ideas.
Show how chapters of texts are organized, and how to track down needed information. To aid comprehension, have students summarize and elaborate on the text's main points.
- Appeal to different learning styles. In middle school, lecture-type learning often takes over. Be aware of students who learn better visually or with hands-on experience, and incorporate those elements into your lessons.
- Recognize the breaking point. Students with ADHD may need breaks to sustain mental effort. Find an unobtrusive way to let them blow off steam - like pacing in the back of the classroom.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO
- Hold on to interventions that work. Middle schoolers continue to benefit from the kind of structure and guidance that helped when they were younger - although you may encounter more resistance. Consider drawing up a contract with your child for school-related behaviors that need improvement, and offer rewards for success.
- Request a change in schedule. Take advantage of options regarding teachers and class times. Switch your child to a teacher who's in tune with his learning style, or to a time slot in which he works better. If the school offers tracking, be sure your child is getting the right amount of challenge.
- Be alert for learning disabilities. Specific learning disabilities (LD) sometimes go undetected until middle school or later, especially in very bright kids. Warning signs include reluctance to read and write, poor reading comprehension, trouble with abstract concepts, and poor essay-writing skills. If you suspect LD, request a formal evaluation from your child's school.
- Bypass bad handwriting. Middle schoolers are expected to show what they know by writing essays and reports. But many kids with ADHD or learning disabilities have poor handwriting due to difficulty with fine motor coordination. Using a keyboard to write reports and take notes lets them get around this. For typing software, visit SuperKids Educational Software Review.
