They are built on assignment simplicity and clear instruction, to assist students with ADHD in improving their essay-writing abilities.
Children and adolescents who suffer from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are sometimes referred to as “difficult students.” Children and adolescents who have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are frequently referred to as “difficult students,” even though they do not show any evidence of developmental problems. Even though their brains function differently,
, studies show that
This does not rule out the possibility of them possessing intelligence. Teachers need to pay close attention to pupils who have ADHD to help them reach their potential and overcome the hurdles they confront while studying.
Essay writing is one of the most challenging projects that students have to complete. Writing instruction for students with ADHD is therefore extremely crucial. Each phase of the writing process may be challenging for these young people to complete successfully. These are some practical strategies teachers can use to promote, motivate, and focus students’ attention on the writing process during their lessons.
1. It is difficult to concentrate on assignments
Research shows ADHD
does not result in a reduction in intellect It is more about the difficulty in maintaining emotional control and keeping motivated than anything else. The primary objective for a teacher should be to assist students in maintaining sufficient concentration during writing projects.
Solution: Provide directions that are clear and concise.
When it comes to assigning essays or other writing projects, be precise about what you want. A lot of interpretation shouldn’t be allowed in this situation. Don’t just write about a happy memory; make it meaningful. Include specific guidelines in your writing prompts, such as the following:
- Consider the last time you had feelings of happiness or joy.
- Please elaborate on the factors that make you happy.
- What was it that made you happy?
- Is there anything that compares to that sensation?
The fact that you are readily available to answer any inquiries should be made known to all students. You should spend additional time going over the instructions with your pupils one-on-one, and you should keep a running list of concise instructions as you go.
3. Problems putting thoughts on paper 2. Difficulty arranging thoughts
Numerous studies have revealed that students with ADHD have difficulty organizing their thoughts and recalling their experiences. These pupils can speak effectively and express their thoughts orally, but they struggle when it comes to written communication.
Solution: Organize them from the beginning of the process.
Each project should begin with a straightforward note-taking system. If feasible, students should be allowed to create their notes, and they should be required to examine their notes as a group. Students should pay close attention to how they file their notes.
Learn how to use mind mapping to assist kids in organizing their thoughts. Depending on the essay, a semantic mindmap may comprise important nouns and verbs, as well as adjectives and phrases, that can be employed in each paragraph. You’ll also need some transitional and opening sentences to round out your essay. Following on from mind mapping, advanced outlining is the next phase. Begin by inserting placeholders for the terms “Introduction” and “Conclusion” at the end of the basic outline structure. After that, instruct pupils to build their outline.
3. Difficulty maintaining focus on a single topic for an extended period
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can make it difficult to maintain focus on long-term goals. In the case of employees needing to labor for extended periods, this can result in diminished concentration and attention span.
Solution: Establish tiny, manageable milestones for yourself.
A five-page essay can be divided into smaller sections, which will save you time and allow you to work on it more systematically. If there is enough time, each piece can be reviewed individually. It is more manageable for students if they regard each portion and topic as a separate assignment.
4. Meeting deadlines is a difficult task.
Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are discouraged by deadlines. They tend to be more sidetracked and postpone than their classmates, and they do homework at a slower pace.
Solution: Permit yourself to postpone.
Even though it may appear ludicrous, doing so will aid in the reduction of procrastination during the writing process. To maintain focus on what they are doing, students can divide their work into smaller sections to allow for further research, brainstorming, or other activities that help to diversify their work.
5. Misspellings and grammatical errors
Students with ADHD frequently have difficulty writing, particularly with spelling. The most frequently encountered issues are those involving reversing letters, words, and phrases. Students can use alternative spellings of the same word within the same essay. It is critical to pay close attention to the spelling.
Solution: Make use of spell checkers, dictionaries, and thesaurus as often as possible.
Grammar and spelling checks are offered through a variety of writing tools and apps. There are a variety of apps available to assist pupils with their essay writing. When grading papers, make a point of highlighting spelling problems. This will aid pupils in remembering the right variation and paying close attention to misspelled words when reading aloud.
6. Issues with the final editing process
Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience difficulties when editing their final work. There is a good chance that they will have read it several times and will not be paying close enough attention to faults.
The solution is to teach them how to go through the steps of their writing process step-by-step.
Make use of an essay template to demonstrate to students how you modify an essay. Gradually work your way through the editing process, explaining why various modifications were made, particularly in the case of grammatical mistakes. Set the task of revising each other’s essays for students to do so that they can learn what to look out for and where to avoid making mistakes when rewriting their final draft.
Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can learn effective strategies for managing their illness and perhaps use it to their advantage by addressing the unique problems they confront. Your unique perspective can be used to inspire creative writing, discover innovative answers to challenges, and, most significantly, help them achieve and exceed their objectives and ambitions.