HYPERFOCUS
I was conversing with one of my closest friends on the phone, “I don’t know, it all of sudden looked dirty, and I didn’t stop cleaning for 2 days. I barely slept, barely ate, but it just had to get done, ya know?“
I was just a kid, probably 12 or 13 years old, and that was the first time I recognized that ADHD wasn’t a term used to describe kids who were “hyper.” I remember wondering how that happened- How does someone get tunnel vision so badly that they forget everything around them? It was an interesting insight, but that little conversation opened up a world of understanding for me.
Over the years, my friend has fluctuated between being hyper-focused and having no focus at all. As an educator, I have recognized this trait in many children with ADHD. Now, as a new homeschool mom, I notice it frequently. What I find interesting is that something that captures their attention one day may not hold any interest the next. Over time, you might think you’ve identified a pattern, only to have the pendulum suddenly stop.
Homeschooling is a unique journey in and of itself, but homeschooling with neurodivergence can be a whole different animal.
There are many different tools to help your child with staying focused, but they might not work at all! There is no one-size-fits-all all approach to educating ADHD
TIPS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR ME
- Visual Timers. I mentioned this before, but they rock. A lot of kids need to SEE the time.
- Balance your ‘work time’ and your ‘free time.’ For instance, on days when your child can’t concentrate, use a visual timer and set it for 10 minutes. Communicate clearly with them saying, “If we can focus on math for 10 minutes, we can take a 5-minute break afterward!” After the break, continue this cycle. As your child matures, the duration may vary, but it is important to maintain this routine throughout the day. Often, they will reach a point where they want to complete the task without a break in between.
- Don’t reward/barter with food. EVER! There have been many studies that indicate it can be harmful to a child’s relationship with food as they get older.
- The Flipped Classroom- This is a widespread educational term to describe a teaching method. If your child can’t focus on what is being taught, or if they aren’t engaged in the lesson, flip the roles. Have THEM teach the lesson. Have them build the lesson. By doing this, you are putting their hyper-focused brain to work, but you are also able to see how they are thinking. ( I will be writing more about this a the future blog post.)
THE KEY TAKE-AWAY
The key factor that significantly impacts homeschooling is the understanding that your child does not need to be fixed because they are not broken. Yes, there are therapies often available to help, but your child won’t grow out of ADHD. Your child is unique, special, and pretty awesome. With learned regulation, neurodivergent kids can be amazing. They are intelligent, creative, and dynamic, and often they grow up to be very successful.
Over time, your children will learn to adapt, and the emotional swings they experience will balance out. However, at this moment, your home is where they are learning the most important lessons. Their emotions will be more intense with you than with anyone else. You, the parents or guardians, provide them with a safe haven.
Project Homeward Downes.
Next blog Post: The FLIPPED Classroom
