Every Child Deserves to Read with Confidence 

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 by Demitra Bryant | Uncategorized

It’s a common misconception that kids with ADHD are impossible to teach.

But after 20+ years of working in special education, I can confidently say that this is simply not true. Children with ADHD can absolutely succeed in reading, writing, and beyond—when given the right strategies and personalized instruction.

One of my proudest success stories is a 5th-grade student named Liam, who came to me struggling in both reading and writing. His journey from falling behind to finding success is a perfect example of how targeted, creative tutoring can make a world of difference for children with ADHD.

Understanding ADHD: It’s About Strengths, Not Just Challenges

Many families believe that ADHD makes academic success difficult, or even impossible, for their children. The truth is, ADHD doesn’t prevent a child from learning—it just requires a different approach.

Children with ADHD often have incredible strengths like creativity, problem-solving abilities, and resilience. However, they may struggle with focus, time management, and organization, especially in traditional classroom settings. That’s why individualized instruction is so important. It allows us to harness their strengths while addressing their specific academic challenges.

In Liam’s case, his love for art and comics became the foundation of our work together. While he struggled to stay focused during long reading sessions or traditional writing tasks, his passion for storytelling was clear. This insight helped me create a personalized learning plan that didn’t just address his academic gaps but also engaged him in ways that sparked his interest.

Liam’s Story: A 5th Grader Falling Behind in Reading and Writing

When Liam came to me, he was three years behind in reading, reading at a 2nd-grade level. His writing was also below grade level, limited to simple sentences. Liam had ADHD, which made it difficult for him to stay focused on tasks, especially reading and writing. His family had been working with doctors to find the right medication balance, but they knew he needed more support in school.

Through assessments, I confirmed that his reading level was significantly behind, and his writing skills needed development. But we also found that Liam had a great passion for reading comics and graphic novels. This was a key insight because it showed us a way to connect his love for art and stories to his academic work.

Data-Driven Instruction: Personalizing the Pathway to Success

Teaching children with ADHD requires more than just good intentions—it requires data-driven instruction that takes into account the specific needs and strengths of each child. For Liam, we used a combination of assessments and observations to craft a personalized learning pathway that would help him close the gap in reading and writing while keeping him motivated.

Here’s how I structured Liam’s tutoring program:

1. Phonemic Segmentation
   Liam struggled with breaking down words and decoding them. We worked on phonemic segmentation, breaking words into sounds, to help him decode unfamiliar words more easily. This practice improved his reading fluency over time.

2. Vocabulary Expansion
   We used vocabulary from the graphic novels and comics he loved, which made learning new words more enjoyable for him. By connecting vocabulary lessons to his interests, Liam was able to retain and apply new words more effectively.

3. Comprehension Strategies
   Instead of forcing Liam to read books that didn’t engage him, we focused on his love of comics and graphic novels. We broke down stories and discussed characters and plots, which helped him build comprehension skills without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Fluency Practice
   Liam practiced reading aloud from his favorite comics. This not only improved his fluency but also increased his confidence in reading. We used timed readings to track his progress, and over time, his reading speed and accuracy improved.

5. Writing Through Creativity
   Writing was one of Liam’s biggest challenges, but we found a way to make it fun. He started writing and illustrating his own comics, which allowed him to practice sentence structure and story development. This creative outlet made writing feel less like a chore and more like a natural extension of his artistic passion.

Proven Strategies for ADHD Success

Liam’s progress is a great example of how the right strategies can help ADHD students succeed. These are some of the proven strategies I use with all of my students:

• Breaking Tasks into Smaller Steps
  ADHD students often get overwhelmed by large assignments. By breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, we can help them focus on one step at a time, making the learning process more approachable and less stressful.

• Structured Routines
  Consistency is key when working with students with ADHD. Structured routines give them a sense of security and predictability, which helps them stay on task and engage more fully in their learning.

• Incorporating Movement
  Many students with ADHD need regular breaks to reset and refocus. For Liam, we incorporated movement into our sessions, allowing him to take short breaks when needed so he could return to tasks with a clearer mind.

• Positive Reinforcement
  Celebrating small wins helps build confidence. Each time Liam met a reading or writing goal, we celebrated his success, which kept him motivated and engaged in the process.

Results: From Struggle to Success

After six months of consistent tutoring, Liam’s reading level improved by a full grade, and his writing progressed from simple sentences to full paragraphs. His confidence soared as he saw himself making progress, and he became more engaged in school as a result.

One of the highlights of Liam’s journey was his excitement about creating his own comics. This creative activity not only helped him practice writing but also gave him a sense of ownership over his learning.

Liam’s Testimonial:
“I really enjoy my tutoring sessions, especially the days when I get to write my own comics and graphic novels. It’s fun, and I’m learning a lot about reading and writing too!”

Helping ADHD Students Thrive: How I Can Help Your Child

Liam’s story is just one example of how personalized tutoring can help children with ADHD succeed. Whether it’s improving reading, boosting writing skills, or simply building confidence, I’m here to help your child reach their full potential through creative and targeted instruction.

If you’re looking for ways to support your child in reading and writing, contact me to learn more about my services and how I can create a personalized learning plan to meet your child’s unique needs.