Comments on: Why ADHD Kids Have Trouble Doing Homework: No Payoff

By: Mail Entries

Mail Entries — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:41:23 +0000

It is a really interesting findings.

By: john glennon

john glennon — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:10:03 +0000

Thanks, Christina.

PC, to answer your question, I think out of all the strategies we employed, consistency was the greatest factor. This was difficult for both my wife and me. We actually formed a contract together so that we didn’t work against each other. The couple has to be on the same page.

The contract also detailed the structure we set at home; warnings, consequences, homework times, bed times, etc. Just doing this much can make things sooooo much easier. It also keeps parents from becoming angry since we understand what to do.

By: kira case

kira case — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:48:32 +0000

I found this very interesting. Not to mention kind of personal. I myself have ADHD all my life. It is very hard to concentrate for long periods of time. So if they started making home work or even school work benefit a kid faster it would help a lot. I also think trying to make classes more interesting or fun would help a lot to. I know I can pay attention and retain things much better if it was interesting and grabs my attention the first time.

By: kira case

kira case — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:33:11 +0000

I found this very interesting. Not to mention kind of personal because I myself have ADHD. So I definatly would understand the part were its hard to pay attention for long periods of time. I think making school work or home work or classwork even, haveing benefitts right a way is a very good idea, or maybe try making things in class more interesting so it grabs the students attention. I know for a fact if a class is very interesting or fun I’m definatly able to pay attention longer and get more out of it.

By: Sherrie White

Sherrie White — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:26:51 +0000

I’m 50 years old and in the last couple of years I started hearing the question “Do you have adult ADD?” Quite honestly I love my ADDLAS (look a squirrel) as it now referred to. I’m wonderfully creative and very technical. It makes a great combination. Yes, finishing things is a constant struggle, but as you grow up, you learn to finish things. My son who is 18 is just like me. always off to do something new. And he’s a poet. Yes, there’s a reason he’s not a novelist. He can’t concentrate that long. Isn’t being different a wonderful thing?

By: lucy barlow

lucy barlow — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:54:08 +0000

Great article…thanks for your insight. I also have a strong interest in the area of ADD and APD. Please visit our site and read my article Attention Deficit Disorder Verses Auditory Processing Disorder – A Big Difference at http://www.learningsolutionsathome.com. Thanks and take care, Lucy Barlow

By: Oddball

Oddball — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:05:31 +0000

I struggle with ADHD too. But my mom doesn’t think so! I try to explain to her why I can’t focus, but she insists that I need to study harder and longer! I try, but it’s hard. I’m smart and understand the work, but I can’t study for a test for anything! Because I’m young she thinks I’m just hyper! :(

By: random

random — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:14:41 +0000

John – When they were talking about games and homework I believe they meant making the mental/emotional rewards of finishing homework more similar to the rewards a child feels while actualy playing a game, not using games as an actual reward

By: Benny

Benny — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:54:42 +0000

How many parents are like John, pro-active and nurturing? Then how many are lazy, put the TV on, medicate my kid ’cause I screwed up kind of parents? Doctors medicate with near total abandon, schools pigeon hole and abdicate responsibility, and the government gets bought by drug companies. adhd has grown so fast that you’d think something is in the water. Kids should get more exercise before they become 10 yr. old druggies. Schools should bring back phys ed. and school lunches should be replaced or augmented by school breakfasts.

By: pc

pc — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:55:53 +0000

John – how did you change parenting skills – what resources can you recommend?

By: Christina Viering

Christina Viering — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:48:57 +0000

Good information john!

By: john glennon

john glennon — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:39:28 +0000

If only it were this simple. Even with immediate payoff like money, a treat, or playing a video game for a few minutes, ADHD children have trouble finishing a mundane task. Volkow thinks making homework more engaging would allow more attention to the task. Of course it would. That’s the conundrum teachers have faced for centuries now.

My wife and I opted to use cognitive training for our son, Alex. We used Play Attention (www.playattention.com) and ADHD Nanny (www.adhdnanny.com). We’ve been very successful with these approaches. We also changed our parenting skills with great success.

It’s just important to know that medicine teaches nothing. Parents and teachers must actively participate to help change a child’s life.

The brain is incredibly plastic — neuroplastic. It will adapt and make changes provided the correct stimulation. Making all activities more engaging is not realistic. We should do this when possible, but the brain will adapt or compensate if it’s shown how. It’s important to understand that we are not necessarily bound by our genetics.