Contents
Create worksheets and tests with fewer items, give frequent short quizzes rather than long tests, and reduce the number of timed tests. Test students with ADHD in the way they do best, such as orally or filling in blanks. Divide long-term projects into segments and assign a completion goal for each segment.
They do best with an engaging active curriculum at school and an active home environment. Incorporating physical movement and motor activity throughout the day increases successes. When involved in a cognitive activity, children with ADHD often benefit from choices rather than solely adult-directed tasks.
a lack of sleep or a poor routine. a diet high in sugar and fat with no sustaining nutrition to assist concentration in the classroom. excessive screen-time, especially prior to going to bed. difficulties at home, such as a recent separation of parents or a family trauma.
Childhood development experts generally say that a reasonable attention span to expect of a child is two to three minutes per year of their age. That’s the period of time for which a typical child can maintain focus on a given task.
Vitamin B-12
“By maintaining the nerve cells in the brain, vitamin B-12 is a major player when it comes to healthy brain function and things like memory and concentration,” Smith explains.
Help at school
Children with ADHD often have problems with their behaviour at school, and the condition can negatively affect a child’s academic progress. Speak to your child’s teachers or their school’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) about any extra support your child may need.
The answer lies in brain chemistry: ADHD brains are naturally low on dopamine and norepinephrine, which control brain arousal and attention levels. Other people may find that, when the situation calls for it, they can “buckle down” and force their brains to focus.
The benefits of exercise are endless and include improving your ability to focus. Numerous studies have shown that exercise improves attention and focus in people with ADHD. To help improve your attention span, consider taking a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day four or five times a week.
Physical or kinesthetic: With this style of learning (which is extremely common for children with ADHD and other learning disabilities), the child prefers using their hands, body and sense of touch to learn. Verbal or linguistic: This style of learning involves the use of words, in both writing and speech.
Fact: Children with ADHD are often able to concentrate on activities they enjoy. But no matter how hard they try, they have trouble maintaining focus when the task at hand is boring or repetitive.
Age | Average Duration Kids are Able to Focus |
---|---|
6 years old | 12 – 30 minutes |
7 years old | 14 – 35 minutes |
8 years old | 16 – 40 minutes |
9 years old | 18 – 40 minutes |
At age 9, you start to see a big difference in your child’s attention span. He can now sit and concentrate for 30 to 45 minutes at a time, unlike his earlier years where it was difficult for him to maintain concentration for that long.
Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an important role in healthy brain development and function. Several studies have found a link between vitamin D deficiency and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD.
Specific vitamins and nutrients can boost brain power in various ways. While zinc and iodine can contribute to normal brain cognition, vitamin B6, B12 and folate can help to prevent fatigue, a major cause of procrastination during studies.
Kids with the inattentive kind of ADHD have a hard time concentrating and following instructions. They often forget and lose things; they can’t seem to get organized or complete assignments or chores. Most kids with ADHD have a combination of the hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive types.