Homework & Studying

Doodling Doesn’t Help My Son

My ADHD son is in high school, and he draws during lectures to keep his impulsivity in check. The problem is, he misses the point of the lectures. Help!

A notebook full of doodles, a fidget a child with ADHD uses to stay focused
A notebook full of doodles, a fidget a child with ADHD uses to stay focused

For some students, doodling increases focus, but it looks as if it isn’t working for your son. I wonder if he would consider taking notes, even if they’re sloppy or hard to read, during lectures instead of drawing. The writing will reduce his impulsivity and possibly help him focus on the teachers’ words. Other options are using a keyboard during class to type up notes or to tape-record the lectures for review later. One of the benefits of a recording is that your son can listen to the lecture multiple times, stop when needed, take notes, replay, and review at home. Check with the school before implementing any of these accommodations to confirm that it is acceptable. If not, I encourage you and your son to ask for official accommodations to support his needs.