All students are entitled to a great education, and deserve every opportunity to excel. Students with disabilities can be helped in a variety of different ways that will help them understand and improve their grades and self-confidence in the classroom. A successful tutor will know the manipulatives, activities, language, concepts and techniques that will help a differently-abled student succeed. A common issue many students face is struggling with ADD or ADHD. This affects their focus and ability to concentrate for long periods of time. In order to serve them well, tutors can implement a few of these strategies to ensure students get the most out of their study time.
Strategies for Tutoring Students with ADD
- Use both written AND verbal directions: It may be easier for a student to comprehend what is expected from them when they can hear it and see it. Involving more than one of these senses increases their ability to retain the information. :mag:
- Repeat examples more than once: Repetition can be helpful for their comprehension and understanding. Repetition reinforces the learning process!
- Use visual aids: When teaching abstract ideas, incorporate charts, maps, or graphs. These visual aids help students to see the information and better understand the numbers they are working with and how they work together to create solutions. :dart:
- Incorporate movement: If the student seems to be getting antsy or is having a hard time sitting still, encourage them to get up and move around! Role-playing is a great way to keep the learning momentum going and allows the student to move around. Sometimes, students with ADD are so focused on sitting still that they lose focus on the task at hand. Allowing movement eliminates this stress and helps them retain information better.
- Focus on one problem at a time: Put one problem or example on each page. This will help the student focus on the problem at hand and reduce distractions from other numbers, words, and formulas on the page.
- Break long assignments into smaller chunks: It’s not that students with ADD can’t master the material; they struggle with focusing for extended periods. Chunking lessons into smaller sections helps maintain focus and prevents boredom, which can lead to distractions.
- Choose the right learning environment: Although libraries can be quiet for some, they can be extremely distracting for students with ADD. The constant noise, movement, and variety of stimuli may hinder focus. A quiet home office, a dining room table, or an empty classroom might be better suited for the student to concentrate effectively.
- Have the student teach you: Once the student has a good grasp on the content, encourage them to teach you. The best way to learn something is by teaching it! This reinforces their understanding and ensures they have fully mastered the concept. If they aren’t 100% sure yet, teaching you allows them to hear themselves explain the material, which helps solidify their knowledge.
Key Tips for Tutors Working with Students with ADD
Tutors who are working with students with ADD should remain patient and prepared to repeat directions when necessary. A soft, slow, patient speech pattern is helpful. Frequent check-ins to make sure the student is following and understanding are also essential. Children who are taught in a way that suits their needs experience significant progress and develop a sense of achievement and confidence that may have been missing before. 🌟
