Easily Distracted? How to Tune Out Distractions & Focus on School

3 Comments: Easily Distracted? How to Tune Out Distractions & Focus on School

1. ADHD Adult and mom of two ADHD kids here. I love the suggestions of this article however it seems to just stick to the notion that what is termed “distraction” is based on novel unrelated items for a given moment. While novel distractions can most certainly can have a negative affect on ones ability to fully attend, knowing that there are other things will allow a parent to be a better detective. The ADHD brain is able to make broader connections and put things together. If they are able to be involved in a class where topics are discussed with deeper meaning then you could see this. They would probably be the most engaged student in the class. If you have a classroom experience where you are just taught facts to memorize and move on then this is where boredom sets and kids check out. Also, if your child is not supported in other ways such as notes, then that creates a challenge no amount of quiet will help. Again, not saying the above suggestions are wrong. Meds and quiet testing spaces help my kid tremendously. There is so much more to it though and sometimes I feel that people hold on to novel distraction because it’s easier for non-ND people to understand.

2. Hi, I have always thought that from his birth, my son is brilliant. Yet he continues to struggle with his grades no matter what I try. He is a freshman in high school and I worry about his ability to succeed in college if he continues to struggle academically. He does have ADHD and is taking Adderrall ER to manage it but he still gets poor grades for not completing assignments and forgetting to turn them in. I know he does not get the support from his teachers at public school as he would if he were home-schooled. Yet, I want him to be with his friends every day and take advantage of extra-curricular classes and sports that home-schooling doesn’t offer. What should I do? I want to spend one-on-one tome with him in a distraction free environment as this is how he learns best. I could remind him to turn things in and I know he would learn more at home, but he wouldn’t qualify for as many scholarships if he is home-schooled. I’m torn and don’t know what to do. Does anyone have any advice?

   1. My son (10th grade) does part of the day at school and part of the day doing Virtual Public School online classes at home. It was necessary due to sensory and environmental issues — he just couldn’t be there all day without getting super agitated and frustrated and shutting down. My son has an A in the online class he’s taking right now because I sit with him and we do it together every day. In his 3 classes in person at school, he currently has a C and 2 D’s. Because he doesn’t get the support he needs at school, despite having an IEP and inclusion with a special ed teacher in two of those 3 classes. I know 4-year college isn’t the right path for my son, so I’m not worried about that, but he has a gifted IQ and is a kind, sweet kid who deserves to succeed.

      Penny
      ADDitude Community Moderator, Parenting ADHD Trainer & Author, Mom to teen w/ ADHD, LDs, and autism