family – ADHD Expert

I think it’s quite cruel that at a time when a teenager is bursting with hormones, desperate to be out with their tribe and beginning to find a bit of independence, they are burdened with the outdated practice of taking GCSE exams.

Exams are rubbish. They do not measure the things that matter like kindness, curiosity or being a good citizen. Exams rely heavily on regurgitation of facts, focus and memory. So of course there is push back when during the Easter holidays, when the world is waking up from its Winter slumber and daffodils are nodding in the breeze, we are expecting our teens to stay in, head down and revise. Makes my tummy flip.

But enough of my moaning about an outdated Victorian system. Unfortunately it is not changing any time soon. So we are lumbered with it and have to play the game.

So what on earth do you do to motive your teen with ADHD to revise, when actually their screen is too distracting and they don’t see any point in taking GCSEs.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES

An ADHD brain is short on the chemicals dopamine, serotonin and noradrenalin. The brain is not consistently firing the synapsis to enable the brain to receive messages to focus, concentrate and control emotions. ADHD is a neurological brain condition and the brain is behaving in a different way. This does not mean your child is damaged, broken or ill – it just means they may need some help and support to get things done.

Having an ADHD brain means there is a constant noise, buzz and a myriad of thoughts. This is why your child is hugely distracted as they find it hard to filter out the thing they need to be paying attention to. The brain is also seeking constant gratification. If a task is boring the brain will look for stimulation elsewhere.

Your teen may be chaotic and disorganised and the amount of material to revise is just far too overwhelming. So they procrastinate about starting and will put it off.

This all adds up to a really, really, really difficult challenge to bloomin revise.

SO LETS’S GET STARTED ON SOME THINGS THAT MAY HELP….

THE FUTURE

The time that matters is now. So telling your teen they must get their exams or it will affect their future, has little impact. They would rather be having fun or be on their screen at that moment in time.

Instead of just saying it through words, think together what kind of thing they see themselves doing – outdoors, cookery, sport, art, beauty, police, firefighter.

Then print off some pictures. They are not committing to anything but seeing a visual may give them some motivation, purpose and understanding why they are revising.

Maybe go online and check out some college courses or apprenticeships. In general school is unsuitable for our children with ADHD. Many leave at 16 years old. Have a look at the options and print out prospectus, visuals or visit the college and take photos. Again this could be the reason why your child will revise. It may help to visualise next steps.

SUBJECTS

If it’s not too late, have a conversation with the SENCO at school and request that your teen drops some subjects. It is only legally required that your teen sits the core subjects Maths, English and Science. They do not need ten GCSEs. It is too stressful and too much pressure.

Look at the next steps and work out what they actually need. Anything else may be superfluous. Does your school offer extra sessions in the core subjects to replace the dropped subjects? It’s worth pursuing.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Work out where your teen studies best. Home, library, coffee shop. Do they need noise or quiet. Do they need a playlist on in the background on an Alexa or on their headphones. This may seem strange to someone without ADHD as surely this is distracting. However it has been reported that by having a disruption of noise actually quietens the brain, as the noise may be cancelling out the other hubbub in their brain.

Many work well with a buddy just sitting alongside them. There are some apps such as Dubbii that may help. Putting their phone in another room may reduce the temptation.

GETTING ORGANISED

Having their stuff ready may take away some of the procrastination and faffing. Buy folders, boxes, in-out trays, coloured pens, highlighters. Make sure all subjects are organised into separate boxes and colour coded. Have a dedicated space ready for revising. Make it uncluttered so there are few distractions. The apps MiMind and Remember The Milk help with organisation.

OVERWHELM

So many subjects and so much content. It can make your head explode. It can be just too much. One really important task is to break down subjects into manageable chunks. The school should be able to advise and help.

Write out a revision timetable so your teen knows exactly what they are doing and when. Focus on the stuff they have learnt well and know. It may be too late to actually teach stuff they don’t know and may make them more stressed and wound up.

SHORT BURSTS

Revise in short bursts. Write out a day planner of what they are doing and when the breaks are. I suggest 20 minute sessions then a break. Use a timer so your teen will have a clear visual. Decide what they’ll do in their breaks and how long they’ll last. Movement breaks are really important and eating protein will help focus and concentration. Try and avoid sugar as this will cause a crash and fatigue. Time any medication so that they have optimum revision time.

LEARNING STYLE

Work out what is your teens learning style. How are they motivated and what helps the information stick? Do they like making PowerPoints, mood boards, listening to audio or watching videos. Do they use acronyms or coloured post-its. Maybe revision guides and fun cartoons. Some teens record themselves or explain to a buddy what they have just revised. Some apps that may inspire: Jam Board, Bitesize, Revision Buddies, Mem Rise, Arc Maths. They also may like to make a quiz and use apps such as Quizlet and Gojimo.

AND BREATHE…

Remember GCSEs are not the end game. Your teen can retake if necessary. Their path may not require GCSEs. They may come back to them later.

Try and take the pressure off as much as you can. The app Calm and Headspace may help to relax. Empathise with them and let them know that you know how difficult it is.

Over the Easter holidays have lovely things planned. Write it up on a calendar so its visible. Go outside. Trips to the cinema, nandos, skate park, shopping. Of course there are always Easter eggs to look forward to….

I wish you well and hope the revision is not too stressful. And of course, remember to look after yourself too.

Much love,