Best educational style for ADHD

[Rulesonexpulsion]

DD is 14 - adhd - impulsive and a bit pda

i just do t think GCSEs are working for her -is there a different system that would work better?

international systems for example - is the IB better as less rigid? What about the US or German system?

I just feel like she’s being set up to fail atm and I’m trying to think differently!!

The IB at the equivalent to a levels has much more content and is much more demanding on organisational and time management skills.

So at baccalaureate level (equivalent to a levels) you have to do maths and English. Plus choose options. You can take three at higher level and four at standard level.

You have to do coursework in each subject plus an essay for theory of knowledge and there are exams.

At the equivalent to gcse it is the mYP (middle years programme). I know less about that but there are still assessments at the end.

It's not an easier option at all.

Apprenticeships are probably more suitable.

No I know it’s not easier - my sister did it and I did A levels

but I wonder if because it has coursework and essays and things that it might be better for her. Exams aren’t great for her even with the extra time so an element of continuous assessment might suit better

BTECs work well in our experience.

Depends on how her ADHD affects her. For me personally coursework is a nightmare. Maintaining that more consistent level of effort and managing my own time (and lack of interest) makes it so much harder. Whereas exams where I’m under time pressure and have a hard deadline with everything on the line is much more motivating as hyper focus usually kicks in (last minute of course!) and I pull off something amazing. Exams suit my ADHD much better than coursework and being ‘steady’. And ADHD usually means we’re much better under pressure than NT people as the pressure raises our dopamine to more normal levels. That’s why ADHD people are often known for coping best under pressure and frequently end up in high pressure, high stress jobs.

The US system, depending on the state you’re in, would potentially be better for an ADHD student as there are less terminal exams, more chance to pursue areas of interest and its broader so there is possibly less of the demand avoidance issue some students (not just ADHD) have with GCSE curriculum - for example when they’ve got a real block about an area of subject (like creative writing in English lang) but because it’s key they just get into the ‘I can’t do it’ mindset. The broader nature of US style learning might give you a chance to ‘go round’ this kind of issue as it’s more content, but less in depth. If you can’t wrap your head around modern European history, you can make up the history credits in a different class etc.

Assuming you’re not moving countries, have a look at the American School in London.