AuDHD / severe exec dysfunction and GCSEs. Please Help!!

[WinterCarlisle]

Hi everyone,

My son is 16 and in Yr11. He has medicated ADHD and likely underlying autism although we’re waiting for a full CAMHS ASD assessment. He does not have an EHCP
but does have a pupil passport and a degree of SENCO support. He’s in a state, mixed mainstream comp which has historically had an amazing reputation for SEN. However, budget cuts, staff having enough and leaving, too few LSAs etc etc mean that the current SEN provision is woefully lacking. He gets extra time in exams and does them in a smaller room rather than the hall.

He’s having private tuition in maths, English and science - all of his tutors and many of his school teachers comment on how bright he is but he’s not achieving what he’s capable of,

He’s got massive issues with executive function / organisation and I think that this is primarily where the issue is together with the typical ADHD difficulty in focusing. I have ADHD and I was the exact same at school although tbh I didn’t give a crap and didn’t care what my teachers thought of me. He does though. He wants to do well and hates that some of his teachers clearly give no credence to the fact he has a neurodevelopmental disorder (this is being dealt with).

Obviously I want my son to do as well as he can academically but not at the expense of his MH and self esteem. We talk a lot and it’s clear that for him the two are entwined: he loves learning and knows he has the potential to do well. He hates that he knows he could do so much better even though we keep reiterating that we’re proud of him regardless.

Sorry this is long! Do any of you have any Top Tips for improving executive and study skills, please? Or links to useful resources and websites?

He has his own room, desk and laptop (with lots of parental controls or he’d be off down endless random rabbit holes). He does a high energy sport 3 x a week and has a sensible balanced diet with the usual supplements that may help in ADHD. He’s not on melatonin and sleeps well.

Thank you!

Our youngest DD ( v poor executive function ASD SPD) was so organised when it came to revision and exams. Extremely high achiever at GCSE, A level and gained a first class honours degree.

School organised a speaker for teaching study skills for pupils then parents.
She had a Statement ( pre EHCPs) and was entitled to 25 % extra time and a quieter room.

For revision she had everything colour coded to her own system.
Index cards with more info for some subjects and small colour edged cards with definitions or quick facts. And also made web diagrams.
One teacher said the resources she made could have been sold they were so good.

She often paced up and down reading these to embed them. The cards made it easy to “test” her for revision when she asked.
She also made colour coded timetables for revision and exams.
Getting her to take breaks was hard.

Try Twinkl and TES Resources for teacher made revision aids. Some may be subscription but if you know any Primary teachers lots have Twinkl in school.
Countdown to the long Summer!

As well as extra time and a smaller room, does DS have any other exam access arrangements, e.g. rest breaks?

Does DS use any assistive technology? Some people find things like Brain in Hand helpful.

Have you looked at ADHD coaching?

Has DS had an OT assessment?

Does the school have someone who can provide mentoring or a key worker who can support organisation? Things like ensuring notes are in order, helping with study skills, planning for revision. If not, and you can afford it, a SEN tutor/study skills tutor might be helpful.

Can you help DS organise his notes? Make sure they are complete and nothing is missing. Help him create revision resources in whatever form helps him - e.g. revision cards, quizzes, audio recordings, videos. Would something like Tassomai work for DS? Help him create a revision timetable. Not just subjects, but break it down into the different papers and topics within the paper, allowing time for revising fresh topics and time reviewing topics previously revised.

If possible, I would try to enable DS to study outside of his bedroom.

I teach GCSE and have quite a few students like this. It's all good advice. However, some of them crash and burn so to speak in year 12.

It sounds like you're doing a lot to support him. I suggest you move at least part of your focus to the next stage though. What are his plans for year 12?

Education is a long game and for all DC, especially DC with challenges, it can be good to know a new stage with a little more freedom is coming.

I did some research into KS4 to KS5 transition a while back and it's a tricky one with SEND, so thinking ahead and having a plan B and a plan C is important.

Thank you for your replies - it’s really appreciated.

So:-

He does and can hyperfocus but it’s switching that hyperfocus on that’s the issue currently. I think GCSEs are really challenging because there’s so many of them and not all appeal to your interests / ability.

@Needlenardlenoo - this is a vg point and one that we’ve considered a lot! I think (possibly naïvely) that A-Levels / post 16 may be a little easier. He’s very clear on what he wants to do career wise and the A-Levels he plans on doing are specific to that. So I think his focus will be better with just 3 subjects to engage with.

It is possible that he could be HE for post 16. He’s a child who enjoyed the lockdown schooling - he’s beaver away at the stuff the primary school set then was free to pursue his own interests (I was strict with TV and video games). He’s pretty self directed if it interests him. He definitely finds the school environment a challenge but is also very sociable. I think is a social battery thing.

@2x4greenbrick thank you! SUCH great advice! He does have reasonable adjustments for exams etc but I hadn’t thought of OT. I’ve since done a referral via the school thanks to you 😘. Literally everything you’ve said I’m looking into. I’ve been in touch with the school and he’s being assigned a mentor and he’s being supported now by the wellbeing team. Thank you so much.

@24Dogcuddler the moving about while revising is a good suggestion - thank you. I think this could work for him. 100000% countdown to the long summer!
!

Some do find FE easier than CSA schooling - they may move to a different environment, they may only be studying subjects they want to focus on, they may not need to be on site the whole day… Others find it incredibly difficult. Increased academic, social and emotional demands, sometimes a new environment/peers/staff, more independent study.

If you might EHE for A levels, what subjects is DS wanting to do? Some are easier than others to sit as an external candidate.

If DS moves around whilst revising, you could look at sitting on an exercise ball rather than a chair. Taking that a step further, you could look at a rocking chair (there are some specifically for sensory difficulties) or a standing desk. DS3 has EOTIS and sometimes his tutor sessions take place with him on the trampoline or hung upside down. DS2 has been using Tassomai while on an exercise bike.