3. Optimising outcomes for learners with ADHD

3.2 Improving the performance of learners with ADHD

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Proving special accomodations

​In New Zealand, at the time of writing this in 2022, GPs cannot diagnose ADHD but can refer their patient to someone appropriate. The only medical professionals who are specialised in assessing and diagnosing ADHD are either a paediatrician, psychiatrist (child and adolescent, or adult), neurologist or clinical/educational psychologist. 

Learners may or may not be able to prove immediately that they need special accommodations. ​Learners may suggest accommodations based on what they got at secondary school.

It can take time to secure a specialist appointment and the waiting can increase anxiety. Currently, the average wait time, both privately and publicly, to get an assessment and diagnosis is between 6-12 months. 

Many medical professionals who can assess and diagnose ADHD are expensive. For example, an Educational Psychologist often starts at $1,400 and may require two to three sessions to complete their assessment and diagnosis. 

Improving the performance of learners with ADHD

With or without a diagnosis of ADHD, there are many simple tasks you can implement to support learners with ADHD to achieve.

When giving verbal instructions, be sure these are clear and concise. 

Visuals are also helpful. Have a written version as well available to learners. 

Providing model examples of assignments such as forum responses can help guide learners in their work.

Hear Ivy talk about how she deals with the unknown (2.8 mins)

This is provided for educational purposes only. ADHD NZ does not provide medical advice, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. A GP can recommend a suitable healthcare professional.​

Ivy​

Student

Bio: ​​​​​​​Ivy is a student.


Transcript: download the transcript here for your future reference.

The unknown can be particularly problematic for learners with ADHD.

Be available to clarify directions or offer assistance to learners. 

Give guidance on what’s going to be covered, and what to expect.

Past exam papers and additional guidance are helpful.

Hear Dr Natalie Mathews talk about how she's helping learners with ADHD overcome procrastination (4.0 mins)

This is provided for educational purposes only. ADHD NZ does not provide medical advice, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. A GP can recommend a suitable healthcare professional.​

Dr Natalie Mathews

​​​​​​​Lecturer

Bio: ​​Natalie works as a Lecturer, specialising in sociology, at one of New Zealand's universities.​


Transcript: download the transcript here for your future reference.

Learners with ADHD can have difficulty getting started and finishing tasks. 

Set achievable goals. Set a small number of examples to be completed initially and then gradually increase them to increase motivation for learning.

Provide guiding questions which can help a learner with ADHD feel comfortable with the topic. 

For each assignment, provide a marking guide to guide learners with ADHD on what where to put their focus.

Call attention to due dates and task expectations. Write them down or put them in a place where they can be seen easily.

Send consistent reminders throughout the semester of tasks to complete for upcoming assignments.

Research shows an assignment with ten questions may take a learner with ADHD over half an hour, while the average learner may take just 10 minutes (Chadd, 2022). 

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