If you’re supporting a student with ADHD, you may have experienced how challenging maths can be for them. Many skills in maths rely on strong executive functions, which is why ADHD can often lead to frustration, avoidance, or even maths anxiety. But with the right strategies, you can turn this around and help them feel confident in their numeracy skills!
6 Strategies to Help Students with ADHD
Here are a few approaches to support maths learning for students with ADHD that we found from ADDitude magazine articles:
1. Fill in Learning Gaps – Maths builds on itself. Many students with ADHD may have “holes” in their knowledge, leading to frustration with more advanced topics. By filling in these gaps, we set them up for success!
This is true for all learners, and why we include an initial assessment in the Maths Australia to identify and master each essential concept. Click here to access the free assessment.
2. Strengthen Homework and Study Habits – Building positive study habits prevents gaps from forming and reinforces learning.
Short, engaging lessons allow plenty of time for revision and practice.
3. Link Maths to Real Life – The more practical and fun maths is, the easier it is to grasp! Everyday activities are excellent opportunities to strengthen maths skills.
In our program we use multiple real life word problems in each lesson. When maths is fun, students start making these connections on their own!
4. Build Writing Confidence – Many students need extra help with handwriting. Pencil grips and proper techniques reduce fatigue and build functionality.
The 4-step process (Build, Draw, Write, Say/Teach) is a powerful approach to reinforce maths understanding through writing.
5. Break Down Maths Anxiety – Getting started is often the hardest part, especially with negative feelings around maths. Short bursts of focus with breaks in between work wonders!
6. Use Colour for Focus – Colour-coding helps students stay on track, especially when operations change from plus to minus or vice versa.
Have you noticed how our manipulatives and maths program are linked strongly to colour?
Want to learn more about how to teach your child maths in the way they learn best? Click here to view our Introductory Training Course.
Article written by: Bethany White