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For most educators, including myself, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) poses unique challenges. A classroom full of children to teach can mean children with ADHD get left behind. Common difficulties like maintaining their focus and struggling with organisation require extra support that cannot always be provided by schools. However, there is one highly effective intervention a parent can turn to: individual tutoring. In this article, we explore the myriad benefits I have witnessed individual tutoring make to children with ADHD.
One key (and admittedly obvious) reason for individual tutoring's success is personalised attention. In traditional classrooms, a child may be one of 30 or more children. Other children in the class may also have learning difficulties, yet teachers are often expected to accommodate all these pupils and their individual needs in every lesson, every day. In practice, this is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Individual tutoring takes all those other children out of the equation and allows a tailored approach. Tutors can adapt their teaching methods to match the unique needs and preferences of the pupil with ADHD. This tends to result in greater interest from the child and subsequently better engagement with the learning materials.
Take the common example of a pupil with ADHD who struggles with reading comprehension. With the help of an individual tutor, challenges can be addressed by adapting teaching methods to the child’s learning preferences and selecting reading materials to match the child’s interests, however specific they may be.
Individual tutoring provides a platform for the development and implementation of personalised learning can address the challenges associated with ADHD. Tutors can create a structured and organised learning environment, incorporating visual aids, interactive activities, and adaptive instructional methods. These strategies not only enhance comprehension but also equip the pupil with valuable tools to navigate academic challenges independently.
Individual tutoring doesn't need to follow strict rules and set routines like the average classroom. As there is only one pupil to consider, the tutor can firstly be flexible. For instance, arranging the tuition at a time of day to suit the child and when they are most likely to engage, or permitting breaks as and when needed by the child. Secondly, an individual tutor can set work at a suitable pace for the child. The pace can be adjusted as, and when needed. The pace can change from lesson to lesson, or even several times within one lesson, as the tutor has only one child to observe and can react accordingly. Children with ADHD may need the pace slowed when having difficulties concentrating, but sometimes increased to prevent boredom and maintain engagement which a class teacher cannot easily do. He or she will usually have to run with the majority as regards pace, leaving children with ADHD behind.
During individual tutoring, there are often fewer distractions, creating a controlled and focused learning environment benefits students, especially those with ADHD. In my experience, the main distraction at school is other children. Individual tuition completely removes this, making it easier for the vast majority of children to concentrate. For children with ADHD, this huge reduction in distraction is truly game-changing.
Additionally, the individual tutor can tailor the learning space to optimise concentration by:
In the one-on-one tutoring setting, immediate feedback becomes a powerful tool for learning. Tutors can provide constructive feedback promptly, reinforcing positive behaviours and correcting misunderstandings before they become ingrained. This instant feedback loop enhances the learning process and helps pupils with ADHD stay on track, fostering a continuous cycle of improvement.
Success in individual tutoring settings can significantly boost the confidence and self-esteem of individuals with ADHD. By focusing on the pupil's strengths and accomplishments, tutors create an environment where the individual feels competent and capable. This positive reinforcement is pivotal in counteracting negative perceptions or frustrations associated with academic challenges.
With only one pupil to focus on at a time, individual tutors can more efficiently and effectively:
Individual tutoring facilitates collaborative goal-setting between the tutor and the pupil. Breaking down larger academic tasks into smaller, manageable goals makes the learning process less overwhelming for individuals with ADHD. Additionally, progress can be monitored and celebrated, providing a tangible sense of achievement and motivation for further academic endeavours.
Altered neural flexibility in people with ADHD can make executive functioning skills, such as time management, organisation, and planning, challenging. Individual tutoring offers a unique opportunity to address and develop these crucial skills in a supportive environment. Tutors can provide guidance on effective organisational strategies and assist in improving executive functioning skills that go beyond schoolwork.
Imagine a pupil with ADHD who has just started secondary school and is being set homework or the first time. An individual tutor may help them create a colour-coded calendar for assignments, break down tasks into smaller steps, and establish a routine for homework.
The close relationship between the tutor and the pupil fosters a supportive and positive learning environment. This relationship is not just about academic guidance but also emotional support. Tutors can become mentors, offering encouragement, understanding, and security for individuals navigating the complexities of ADHD.
For instance, an individual tutor can better understand the challenges a pupil with ADHD faces and have time to offer emotional support. This could involve:
There are a wealth of benefits to providing a child with ADHD individualised tutoring. And all that is needed to help them engage with education and succeed academically. Individual tutors are like personal guides who understand and can bring out the best in each child, aiding their academic success and their happiness and well-being.