Reasons for Writing Struggles in Students with ADHD
Almost all children with ADHD have challenges writing, and there is no one clear explanation for it As writing is a skill that requires multiple capabilities, there exist numerous reasons why children experience difficulties with the task.
However, the following are some of the most common reasons for children with ADHD to have writing challenges:
● Difficulty in Maintaining Attention
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often manifests as inattentiveness, which presents a substantial obstacle for the students in the writing process.
Students may need help focusing on writing tasks, resulting in incomplete or disorganized work.
The implementation of focused writing sessions and periodic breaks can enhance sustained attention.
● Lack of Control of Impulsiveness
Impulsivity poses a distinct challenge during writing activities for a student with ADHD. Quick, unplanned decisions can disrupt the planning and organization required for practical written expression
Introducing pre-writing exercises and encouraging self-monitoring can help manage impulsive tendencies
● Presence of Hyperactivity Challenges
The hyperactivity component of ADHD introduces an additional layer of complexity to writing challenges. Excessive energy levels can lower the concentration of the students and disrupt their writing flow
To address this challenge, channel this energy via movement breaks or engage the students in physical activities before writing sessions
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Help Required in Organizing Thoughts
Students with ADHD often struggle with organizing their thoughts cohesively in their writing
This challenge may manifest as disjointed narratives or difficulties in structuring essays.
Several practical challenges can help Try graphic organizers and outlining techniques to encourage better writing.
Another effective strategy is encouraging students to verbalize their ideas before putting them on paper.
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Poor Time Management
Poor time management is a prevalent difficulty for students with ADHD during writing tasks.
Challenges such as procrastination and inaccurate estimation of task durations can impact the timely completion of assignments
Implementing structured writing schedules, breaking tasks into manageable segments, etc., can improve the time management skills of students with ADHD
● Weakened Focus and Concentration
Students with ADHD have trouble focusing and maintaining concentration, significantly impacting the quality of written work for students with ADHD.
Distractions may lead to incomplete or poorly developed assignments These instances may lead to further learning challenges.
Practise mindfulness techniques, providing a quiet writing environment, etc , to the students to enhance concentration.
● Encourage the Children to Start Small in Building Skills
Recognizing the varying skill levels of students with ADHD is crucial Help them with smaller writing tasks to avoid overwhelming them.
Work with them to assist in tasks like composing a paragraph consisting of only two or three sentences. As their skills progress, gradually increase the complexity of assignments.
Tailoring tasks to individual abilities ensures a supportive environment for skill development.
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Explain the Concept of Essay Writing
Visual learning is often effective for students with ADHD. Explain the writing process and what preliminary works go into writing an effective essay or write-up. Try using an overhead projector to explain the concept Teachers in schools or tutoring learning centers can write a paragraph or an entire essay explaining each step in front of the class. Encourage the students to be actively involved, allowing them to contribute sentences as the teacher progresses.
This collaborative approach helps students grasp the intricacies of essay writing through visual representation.
● Provide Writing Prompts
Students with ADHD may struggle to generate essay ideas independently. Often, this is one of their biggest challenges
To address this issue, provide diverse materials, from poems and stories to visual stimuli
like magazines, books, etc. These prompts stimulate creativity and offer a starting point for writing assignments
Some students will still need help. In such cases, support them with one-on-one discussions about the assignment
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Explain the Editing Process
Students with ADHD may face challenges in writing to length, often producing essays that are too brief and lack detail.
As a teacher, address this issue by explaining how adjectives and adverbs can enhance composition
Try introducing a thesaurus to help empower the students to experiment with new words and improve the richness of their writing Remember, this process will take time
● Provide Ample Time
Students with ADHD, particularly those with the inattentive subtype, may require additional time to process information and complete assignments.
Recognizing this need, teachers should provide extended time for tasks This accommodation reduces the pressure on students and ensures that their abilities are well reflected in their work
It is not a good idea to rush them through their assignments or give them tight deadlines to complete their work.
● Restrain From Grading Their Early Work
Early drafts of assignments may not showcase the full potential of students with ADHD.
Grading these initial attempts prematurely can discourage them, hindering the development of their writing skills.
The best course of action for teachers is to wait until the final paper is complete before assigning a grade. This approach acknowledges the ongoing growth and progress of students
Students will likely work harder next time when they feel appreciated for their hard work.
● Avoid Deducting Points for Handwriting or Bad Grammar
Prioritize content over technicalities. Unless the assignment explicitly assesses handwriting or grammar skills, of course
Students with ADHD may face challenges in the technical aspects of writing, like spelling, grammar, etc Therefore, penalizing them for issues unrelated to the assignment’s focus can be demotivating.
Ensure that there is room for some flexibility This will help create a supportive atmosphere that values the effort and creativity of the students.
● Grade Only Some Essay Elements
To prevent overwhelming students, especially those with ADHD, focus on grading specific elements of an essay at any given time
For instance, a teacher might choose to assess subject-verb agreement in sentences for a particular week. This grading approach channels the students’ attention to one or two writing concepts
Working with this approach over a period with different concepts can promote a deeper understanding of each element
Strategies and Interventions to Use at Home
Supporting the writing development of a child with ADHD extends beyond the classroom. Parents play a crucial role in creating a conducive environment at home and fostering a love for writing.
Here are a few strategies for parents to implement at home:
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Encourage Keeping a Journal
Promote the idea of keeping a journal. Ask children to write about their thoughts and experiences, such as outings, visits, or trips Add a fun twist by asking them to email or text these thoughts. Journaling improves writing skills and allows one to express personal ideas, thoughts, etc Children with ADHD may need some help in getting started, but this pastime may help boost confidence in their writing skills.
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Help with Topic Selection
Children with ADHD often struggle with decision-making. Assist the child by listening to their ideas and writing down three or four potential topics on cards Make it a collaborative process. Review and eliminate topics individually to help the child identify the most
compelling and manageable subject, making the entire task easier and encouraging the kids to work on it.
● Help with Brainstorming
Once the topic is selected, provide help and guidance in the brainstorming session. Ask for all the ideas that might be related to the chosen topic Remember to act only as an aid; avoid providing all the answers.
Children can write their ideas on sticky notes, allowing them to cluster them into groups that later form paragraphs. This visual approach aids in organizing thoughts and preparing for the writing process.
● Offer Books, Movies and Games
Introducing children to different writings is an effective way to familiarize them with writing in general Try various materials in your child’s routine, including books, movies, and games
These materials will expose them to new vocabulary and stimulate creative thinking. Discuss these materials and ask them their views and perspectives on the stories
Be sure to choose age-appropriate and straightforward materials for them to understand.
● Be Their Scribe
In the initial stages of writing, act as the child’s scribe. Allow them to dictate their thoughts, but help transcribe them by hand or type them into the computer
Gradually reduce your involvement as their writing skills improve, empowering them to take on more of the writing process independently.
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Explain Proofreading
Instill the habit of proofreading. Help children understand that reviewing a rough draft before submission allows them to catch errors and refine their work
This self-editing process encourages a sense of responsibility and ownership over their writing
Proofreading also helps to better understand that mistakes can happen and be rectified before final submission.
Use Technology to Help Kids with ADHD
There are many innovative tools and resources to support children with ADHD in writing better. These high-tech solutions enhance the writing experience and make it more enjoyable
Here are some high-tech writing helpers to try:
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Portable Word Processors
These battery-operated devices resemble a computer keyboard with a small calculator screen They are lightweight and durable These devices are excellent tools for note-taking and writing assignments in the classroom.
