supplemental education

[Zentime]

My 10 yo son is increasingly complaining more and more about how boring school is. As you can probably relate when something’s not interesting to our neurodivergent kids it’s almost impossible to engage them, but when they’re interested sky’s the limit. I fear the mainstream school is just not doing it for him. Does anyone have any experience or recommendations in supplementing education with apps or other programs that are more engaging for kids with ADHD? My son specifically enjoys geography, history, and earth science. I appreciate any help!

[Onthemove1971]

Thanks for your message. I would wonder if his education is "taylored" enough for his needs. I am not sure what grade he is in, but just a warning... things change a lot in middle school and then even more in high school.

If he is "on grade level" in all subjects then I assume you are not asking about some type of tutoring program for academics.

I strongly encourage a 504 plan be set up before middle school to help him be successful in classes.

Once in middle school most kid move up to 5-6 times a day to learn in different classrooms ( even different seats) from different teachers. What helped us was setting up meetings when he started a new class with a teacher he did not know.

I would recommend clubs like library, YMCA, Khan academy, local community college, chess clubs and maybe setting up or getting involved with other parents with children with ADHD.

There are many.. many online website that focus on the topics you listed. But this is tricky becuase many children with ADHD struggle with to much electronic time.

The one thing that helped our son is "getting his energy out" by any number of physical activities: trampoline park, geocashing, Parkcour.classes and any park and rec. class helped to balance.

Our son loved Rubics cubes and any type of puzzle. These all sublimated school, but we were clear he still needed complete his work in school and do well.

Hope these ideas help..

[Zentime in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you for your helpful post! I’m curious if you found middle school more engaging for your child because the environment, teacher, and info changed throughout the day or was this more overwhelming/difficult? Our principal said that middle school will probably be good for our son because the change will help keep him engaged, but I’m worried the transition times will just be more opportunity to derail him since he already struggles with organization and time management.

We live in a small town with limited options. He’s hesitant to try new things which makes it hard too. I’ll look into Khan academy and the local community college. Thank you!

[Mamamichl in reply to Zentime]

Middle school is hard on most kids (I’m a sped teacher, and have worked all grades over the years), but it always depends on the kid. You should teach him how to use a planner. The physical ones may work better for him, as it did me. He will also be able to look forward to a specific class each day, which could keep him going as well.

[arrh121]

The JHU CTY programs are excellent (in-person summer programs, also remote learning) - cty.jhu.edu/. There may also be local programs for gifted students at a nearby college.

[Zentime in reply to arrh121]

Wow these courses are amazing!! Just what I was looking for. Thank you!

[arrh121 in reply to Zentime]

Sure. If you can afford it (there are scholarships also), the in-person summer programs are really good. I did three summers of it as a kid and still benefit today from what I learned in the program, and met some people there who went on to do pretty amazing things.

[Mamamichl]

I would encourage him to research the history of his math concepts (who discovered the concept, how, and when). You can also make word problems or give him books to read then analyze the way he did in class. Use his interests Togo over the same concepts. It is quite typical in 4th and 5th grade for kids to both be overwhelmed on what they are learning and bored at the same time. 6th grade gets even harder usually. Y daughter is 10 and 5th. Something that I should be helping her with is a planner for her assignments.

[Mamamichl in reply to Mamamichl]

I’m starting on my kid doing karate and swimming (she loves swimming) through the city community booklet.

[Zentime in reply to Mamamichl]

Interesting ideas. Thank you.