Learning Profile: ADHD

UNDERSTANDING

What is ADHD?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, organization, and executive functioning skills such as planning, working memory, and task completion. Students with ADHD may struggle to sustain focus, manage time, regulate emotions, or transition between tasks—even when they are bright, capable, and motivated. ADHD is related to how the brain regulates attention and processes information.

At Learning for All, we understand that ADHD is not a lack of effort or motivation—it’s a difference in how the brain manages focus and self-regulation. Through individualized strategies, executive functioning support, and strength-based instruction, we help students build attention skills, improve organization, and gain confidence in their learning so they can succeed both in and out of the classroom.

ADHD Services

IDENTIFYING

Signs of ADHD

Every child has moments of distraction or restlessness, but students with ADHD often experience ongoing challenges such as:

Difficulty sustaining attention during nonpreferred tasks or lessons
Trouble with organization, time management, or following multi-step directions
Frequent impulsivity, including acting or speaking without thinking
Struggles with working memory, such as forgetting instructions or assignments
Difficulty regulating emotions, leading to frustration, feeling overwhelmed, or shut down
Avoidance of tasks that require sustained focus or mental effort
Difficulty switching between the Default Mode Network and Task Positive Network

Recognizing these signs early allows families and educators to provide the right support. With targeted strategies, structure, and skill-building, students with ADHD can strengthen their attention and executive functioning skills—and develop lasting confidence in their learning.

DAILY IMPACT BY ENVIRONMENT

What Does It Look Like?

At Home

Children with ADHD may resist tasks that require sustained focus or organization, such as homework or independent work. Parents might notice difficulty getting started, frequent distractions, incomplete assignments, or that tasks take much longer than expected due to challenges with attention, planning, or working memory.

Strategies for Home

Break tasks into small, manageable steps. Help your child plan before starting by reviewing directions, setting clear goals, or creating a simple checklist.
Encourage structured supports. Timers, visual schedules, or movement breaks can reduce overwhelm and help sustain focus.
Focus on effort, not perfection. Acknowledge persistence and progress to build confidence, motivation, and self-awareness.

At School

Students with ADHD may struggle to keep up with assignments that require sustained attention, organization, or time management. They may understand the material well but lose points due to incomplete work, missed details, or difficulty following directions. Teachers often notice a gap between what a student knows or can explain verbally and what they are able to demonstrate on paper.

Strategies for School

Provide structured task supports. Break assignments into clear steps, offer written and verbal directions, and check in to support task initiation and completion.
Allow flexibility when possible. Movement breaks, extended time, or alternative ways to demonstrate understanding can help students stay regulated and engaged.
Collaborate with educators. Share strategies between home and school to create consistent routines, expectations, and support for attention and executive functioning

At Work

Adults with ADHD may find tasks that require sustained attention, organization, or written follow-through such as emails, reports, or managing paperwork - challenging and time consuming. They may rely on tools like reminders, digital planners, or speech-to-text software, and often prefer verbal communication or collaborative discussions to stay engaged and on track.

Strategies for Work

Use supportive tools. Digital calendars, task managers, timers, and reminders can help improve organization, follow-through, and time management.
Plan work in stages. Breaking projects into smaller steps with clear deadlines can reduce overwhelm and support sustained focus.
Communicate needs and strengths. When appropriate, share what helps you work best and highlight strengths such as creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving.

In Social Setting

Everyday tasks that require sustained attention or organization such as flexible thinking, social interactions, and follow-through on commitments can feel stressful or overwhelming for individuals with ADHD. Some may avoid these situations altogether, which can be misunderstood by others as disinterest or lack of effort, rather than a challenge with focus and follow-through.

Strategies for Social Settings

Reciprocity in conversation - For parents, help your child notice when they are asking open ended vs. closed questions, making comments or asking follow-up questions in conversations. Think about conversational questions that you can ask in a social setting.
Conversational Awareness - Use your notes app to write down thoughts so that you can bring them up at an appropriate time later in the conversation.
Cognitive Flexibility - Recognize tasks or settings that are going to require more energy or time to cognitively transition and build that into your schedule, when possible.
Movement Breaks - Schedule time to take a quick walk to help reset your brain.

SOLUTIONS

How we Support Learners with ADHD

At Learning for All, we take a strengths-based approach to helping students with ADHD. Our educational therapists work one-on-one to identify each learner’s unique challenges and build effective, personalized strategies for success.

Support may include:

Metacognitive skill-building -Teaching students to notice when attention is drifting, identify obstacles, and select strategies to re-engage
Cognitive load management - Reducing working memory demands by externalizing information (checklists, visual models) so mental energy can stay on the task
Building working memory and self-regulation skills
Teaching strategies for task initiation, planning, and follow-through
Reducing overwhelm and increasing confidence around learning and daily tasks

Through targeted, evidence-based instruction, we help students strengthen attention, organization, and self-regulation skills, building confidence and independence at school, at home, and beyond.

ADHD Services

Ready to Make Learning Feel More Manageable?

Whether for a child, teen, or adult, ADHD can make focus, organization, and follow-through feel frustrating and overwhelming. At Learning for All, we support learners of all ages in strengthening attention and executive functioning skills, building confidence, and discovering tools and strategies that make learning and daily tasks more manageable and effective.

Let’s work together to make focus and follow-through feel achievable—and success within reach.

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