Support for learners with ADHD

No two children are the same

We all know that every child is unique but it’s particularly important to remember this when children are identified as having a learning difference.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours or be overly active. This can effect children in school settings where they may be expected to listen to instructions, sit quietly for periods of time, waiting until it's their turn to speak.

Understanding the needs of children with ADHD

Children with ADHD can have challenges with:

• managing time

• getting and staying organised

• thinking before saying or doing things

• focusing on what's important

• following instructions

Tailored support for children with ADHD

Whilst we are not SEN specialists, our individual approach and inclusive environment has proved highly successful with 4-16 year olds experiencing a wide range of needs. We are proud to have supported the development of many children with ADHD. We take a very personalised approach. Our tutors work with your child and adapt their teaching style to meet your child's needs.

Our goal is to create a structured environment so that ADHD learners have less problems with starting and completing tasks, making transitions, working with others, following directions, and maintaining attention. We achieve this in the following ways:

1. Structured and predictable environment:

   We encourage consistent routines e.g. the same session day and time, the same order of activities so that students know what is expected. This also helps to achieve smooth transitions between activities.

2. Short work periods:

   Activities are split into maximum 15-minute chunks so that students can take regular breaks and optimise their concentration for short periods of time.

3. Time management:

   We use timers and tutors help children count-down to the next transitions by giving clear and regular timescales (e.g. in 5 mins you'll finish this activity).

4. Movement breaks:

   We recognise that for some ADHD children they need to move to be able to concentrate. Whether that's doodling, using tangle toys or wobble cushions we have a range of resources and will use them with children as long as it's assisting them to learn.

5. Step by step instructions:

   Our tutors are consistent, firm, fair and patient. They give clear instructions and support children to be in a place where they can concentrate on what they need to do next.

6. Behavioural contracts:

   Tutors set clear expectations with behaviour plans as needed. These plans help students know what is expected of them at all times in the learning environment.

7. Family involvement:

   Your involvement is vital. No one knows your child better than you. We will schedule regular progress meetings to ensure our efforts are in line with plans followed at school and at home. If you have an EHCP we ask that you share information with us so we can provide the best possible support.

8. Adaptive curriculum:

   We have deliberately created a curriculum that allows children to follow a tailored pathway through their learning. This means each child is presented with the right level questions at the right time. Children work at a pace that suits them.

A curriculum for all

We designed our curriculum with a wide range of learning needs in mind. Activities have full audio support, text-size can easily be adjusted, different coloured overlays can be applied and sections of the screen can be masked out to allow children to focus on one sentence at a time. Most importantly your child is working on material that matches their ability and can work through it at a pace that suits them. No other child is aware of what they are doing or the level they are working at.

Inclusive learning environments

Each of our learning centre environments are warm, friendly and open. A place where everyone can belong without feeling identified by age or ability. Children work alongside others who attend different schools, are different ages and have different goals but they can feel united by their shared experience of working with their tutor and celebrating each other's successes.

We recognise that each child has an amazing mind with unique needs.

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