517- Back-to-School Toolkit: Proven Systems for Solving Disorganization, Procrastination, and Missed Deadlines
Sep 3, 2024
auto_awesome
Ann Dolin, an expert in educational strategies for ADHD, shares transformative techniques for supporting students as they return to school. She emphasizes the power of sustainable organizational systems and offers practical tips for using calendars and establishing routines. Delving into procrastination styles, Dolin explains the differences between functional and dysfunctional approaches to tasks. Listeners also gain insights into engaging their children through meaningful conversations and fostering effective time management skills. This toolkit is essential for parents seeking to empower their children with ADHD.
Creating sustainable organizational systems enables students with ADHD to manage assignments effectively and develop essential executive function skills.
Understanding the different styles of procrastination helps tailor strategies to address the root causes and promote healthier work habits.
Establishing a personalized study environment enhances focus and minimizes distractions, optimizing the learning experience for ADHD students.
Deep dives
Building Sustainable Systems for ADHD Students
Creating sustainable systems is essential for helping students with ADHD stay organized and manage their assignments effectively. These systems are not just quick fixes but rather thorough approaches that develop the executive function skills necessary for success. For instance, students can benefit significantly from learning to use a calendar and planner, which helps them visualize deadlines and manage their workloads efficiently. Implementing these strategies can prevent common pitfalls such as last-minute rushes to complete assignments or disorganization that can lead to stress and frustration.
Understanding Procrastination Types
Procrastination is often categorized into functional and dysfunctional styles, each requiring different approaches to address. Functional procrastinators manage to complete assignments at the last minute, while dysfunctional procrastinators struggle to initiate work altogether, potentially impacting their grades. To tackle this issue, identifying the underlying cause of procrastination is key, whether it stems from a lack of motivation, perfectionism, or anxiety. Providing external accountability, such as study groups or timers, can also help set the stage for healthier work habits and boost productivity.
The Importance of Organization and Prioritization
Effective organization and prioritization are fundamental skills for students with ADHD that significantly impact their academic performance. Students can be taught to differentiate between 'rocks' (high-priority tasks), 'pebbles' (important but lower-priority tasks), and 'sand' (less significant activities). This can be illustrated through visual aids that help them see how prioritizing tasks effectively allows for a manageable workload, ensuring they complete essential assignments timely. Regular check-ins and breaking down larger projects into smaller steps can also maintain focus and prevent feelings of overwhelm.
Creating Effective Study Spaces
Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for optimizing focus and minimizing distractions for ADHD students. This includes personalizing their workspace based on what helps and hinders their concentration, a practice referred to as metacognition. Utilizing tools like the Focus Finder enables students to identify which conditions enhance their studying capabilities. Additionally, incorporating family strategies such as a weekly 'clean sweep' can enhance organization and ensure that all family members contribute to tidying and optimizing shared spaces.
Open Communication and Support Strategies
Fostering open communication between parents and children about academic pressures and organization is essential in supporting students with ADHD. It is important for parents to approach conversations in a non-judgmental way, emphasizing understanding rather than solving problems immediately. Using conversation cards or prompts can cultivate meaningful discussions around students' feelings and goals for the school year. Engaging in this dialogue not only builds trust but also allows families to devise practical strategies together to improve academic organization and emotional well-being.
Ann Dolin, M.Ed., explains what a sustainable system looks like and how it can be a game changer for a student with ADHD, plus proven strategies to help your child effectively use a calendar system, maintain organizational routines, and more.
Organization System for Students with ADHD: More Resources
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/additude and get on your way to being your best self.
Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode