Many children with AD/HD or LD problems have difficulties with school because they have problems with:
Good study skills greatly improve performance. Many colleges and universities now offer courses that include topics such as: how to become more effective with time management, how to create a good working environment, and specific study tools that make learning and remembering easier. EnvironmentEveryone needs to define what are the elements in their environment that are most conducive to learning. For some students, the best environment incorporates movement, such as sitting on a ball or sitting in a chair that rocks. Others prefer to hear music to block out any noise around them. Some students are so distracted by any noise, that they need to be in a quiet place such as a library and they need to use ear plugs or have noise canceling head sets on. ConcentrationMany teenagers like to study while on the internet, or while watching television. They may claim that it doesn’t affect their learning, but I am not convinced this is true. Since most students have trouble starting to study, if they take frequent breaks to talk, or check out what is on the t.v. or computer screen, it makes learning more difficult since they have to keep starting over after each interruption. Exercise, caffeine, chocolate and movement, including chewing gum, have been shown to boost concentration. There are specific auditory or visual tools that can help students learn. Many resource teachers says that the more senses that are involved, the easier it is to learn and retain what you have learned. I met a woman who had severe LD and she had discovered that by making elaborate, color coded notes on small cards helped her learn. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has created an excellent website that offers an online Study Skills course for college aged students. Most of this information is relevant for younger children as well.
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