Students with ADHD are particularly challenged to stay motivated and engaged, be it in the classroom or during a lengthy homework assignment. Because of these obstacles, a unique approach is called for: academic enrichment, a deeper form of academic support.
In a recent presentation by Dr. Sharon Saline, attended by e3’s San Diego Education Consultant Chad Pernicano, Saline addressed questions about internal motivation, how ADHD students struggle with it, and why incentives are key to fostering their engagement. Along with Dr. Saline’s tips, enrolling your child in an academic enrichment program could get to the root of their struggles and provide the confidence they need to stay focused and perform in the classroom.
Our academic enrichment consultants have served over 1,500 families in the San Diego area over the past 20 years, and many of those students’ parents came to us with questions about how to address those ADHD tendencies. We’ve found that a tailored therapeutic approach, one that builds foundational skills such as self-regulation and self-advocacy, helps these students remain motivated to succeed.
Find out why ADHD students struggle with motivation, how incentives can help, and how an academic enrichment program can engage your child both in and out of the classroom.
Defining Motivation
As Dr. Saline shared in her presentation, motivation can be boiled down to a simple equation:
(action) + (reason to engage) = motivation
In plain English, motivation involves believing in one’s ability to accomplish a task, while also possessing the necessary skills to do so. Motivation is closely linked to executive functioning skills located in the prefrontal cortex – which plays a crucial role in organizing, planning, and self-regulation.
We discuss this a bit later, but that (reason to engage) portion can be filled with incentives. Giving students with ADHD a block of time for videogames or their favorite snack after completing a homework assignment, for example, can help build lasting motivation.
How ADHD Affects Motivation
Over the years, we’ve seen students with ADHD struggle with two unique challenges related to motivation.
First, they often struggle with a deep-seated aversion to certain tasks, and find it difficult to see anything beyond the present boredom or discomfort associated with studying or completing homework assignments. Low self-esteem is another common diminisher of motivation in students, as they may lack the confidence to believe in their own abilities and give their full effort.
Unfortunately, many students with ADHD have a history of frustration with parents who were unable to offer much-needed support or understanding. This can spiral into a negative cycle, and if students feel unsupported or misunderstood, it risks them giving up on themselves.
Therefore, it’s crucial to foster an environment that accepts and embraces their individual strengths and challenges. On top of this, be sure to offer incentives for mundane tasks if your child’s ADHD has started to affect their academic motivation.
The Importance of Incentives
Incentives are vital for motivating ADHD students, because they help children understand the connection between effort, accomplishment, and reward.
Offer rewards if your child gets through a task, such as homework or a school project, and stay away from punishments or threats. Negative reinforcement and punishment works against motivation, and risks cultivating a poor mindset. This empowering approach, versus punishment-oriented motivation, is precisely what e3 Consulting delivers with our academic enrichment program.
How Academic Enrichment Motivates Students with ADHD
Academic enrichment programs such as e3 Consulting tailor learning for ADHD students through one-on-one coaching, social-emotional development, and educational support.
By getting to the root of existing self-esteem struggles and building their executive functioning skills, your child can go on to face challenges both in and out of the classroom. At e3 Consulting, we tailor academic support according to each student’s unique learning style, especially children with learning or developmental disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD.
As we’ve discussed in a previous blog, students with ADHD can benefit from smaller class sizes and accommodations for more test-taking time. Less distractions and more time to think helps these students with their ability to focus, relieving some of the pressure of standardized test-taking.
Academic enrichment programs can also offer third-party referrals, such as setting up psychiatric appointments for ADHD medication or medication management. Your child may benefit from medication, or have been wrongly diagnosed – both of which can be tended to with an academic enrichment program such as e3 Consulting.
Opt for Academic Enrichment with e3’s San Diego Education Consultants
Children with learning and developmental disabilities, including ADHD, deserve personalized instruction that meets their unique learning needs. By tailoring our teaching methods to your student’s particular style, they can comfortably grow their fundamental learning skills in a welcoming, supportive environment fostered by our certified Academic Specialists. As a result of our approach, family clients have dubbed our academic enrichment program “one of the best decisions they’ve made as a parent.”
Contact e3 Consulting today to request an academic consultation and get your child the help they need and deserve.
