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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

How to help 16 year old with ADHD

4 replies

PeanutAndBanana · 01/05/2024 20:56

He's the most lovely kid but he's chaotic and unfocused.

He does fine in class because he's engaged but independent study is a car crash. He's in the lower sixth and end of year exams have been very disappointing- I know he spent hours at his desk during the holiday but with very little to show for it. I suspect for every hour he "revised" he probably did about ten minutes of actual work. And probably that involved watching a video or reading a handout.

What on earth do I do to encourage and help at this point? He's crying in his room because his predicted grades won't be good enough to get the offers he wants and yet I know that come tomorrow we will be back to square one. I really want him to learn good habits rather than be dragged through his A levels with vast amounts of coaching and he's certainly got the brains.
I feel so bad for him - lockdown was a disaster for his learning and he's never really recovered and the A Level system really doesn't suit him. It is what it is but I'd love any tips or advice anyone can offer.

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Headfirstintothewild · 02/05/2024 11:19

Is DS on medication? Has he had/does he have any study skills support?
He's the most lovely kid but he's chaotic and unfocused.

PeanutAndBanana · 02/05/2024 20:12

He is on Equasyn. I think the dose needs to increase but he doesn't like taking it and I know is skipping doses.
He's had some support but they tend to say things like "do mind maps" rather than "turn off your phone and do blocks of 15 minutes of focused work". He needs practical actionable guidance not more techniques that don't work for him.

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Headfirstintothewild · 03/05/2024 10:33

Speak to the sixth form again. Would DS take the medication more reliably if you prompted him or even handed it to him and watched him it? Has DS had any ADHD coaching?

PeanutAndBanana · 03/05/2024 13:34

We definitely need to administer the medication- I've realised that.
We hadn't considered ADHD coaching but I will explore that. I didn't know it was a thing but can see how helpful it could be for him. Thank you!

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