1. Helping Teens with ADHD Succeed in College Dr. Rick McCendie

2. Workshop Outline  How does ADHD affect the College student?  Education  Medication  Tips

3. Challenges for the College Student with ADHD  Poor organization & time management  Reading problems resulting from difficulty focusing and concentrating  Poor note taking & writing skills  Difficulty keeping current with assignments and readings

4. Challenges (cont’d)  High frustration levels  Inappropriate social skills  Too much time socializing  Confusion about goals & future  Lack of perseverance/procrastination  Lack of sleep & difficulty getting up in the morning

5. Treating ADHD  Education  Pharmacological treatment  Managing ADHD

6. Education about ADHD  Barkley – Taking charge of ADHD  Additude Magazine  WWW.NIMH.GOV WWW.NIMH.GOV  WWW.CHADD.ORG WWW.CHADD.ORG  www.help4adhd.org www.help4adhd.org

7. Medications for ADHD  Ritalin4hrs, 8hrs (SR)  Dexedrine4 hrs, 6-8hrs (spansules)  Concerta11-12 hrs  Strattera24hrs (nonstimulant)  Clonidine4-6 hours

8. General recommendations for ADHD  Sit student in front of class  Cue inattention and off-task behaviour  Check with student frequently  Sit student next to study buddy  Make learning active  Take frequent breaks/opportunity to move  Chunk up tasks into smaller units of work  Assistance in organizing & getting started

9. Towards Academic Success  Keep up with assignments, don’t fall behind.  Get books you need before classes begin and read ahead of time  Build in rewards  Make yourself accountable (accountable to someone else by studying in a group, arrange work sessions with other students, meet with your professor to discuss progress)

10. Academic Success (cont’d)  Prepare for class (read notes before & after class)  Arrive early (get to class early so that you are ready to listen; give yourself time to open your book and shift gears)  Ask for accommodations (e.g. tutors, note- takers, extra time for tests, assistive tech.)

11. Academic Success (cont’d)  Nourish your brain (munch on high protein snacks during and between long classes)  Choose high-interest courses.

12. Improving organizational skills  De-clutter your room  Daily checking of backpack to ensure have everything  Create homework station (leave desktop free of distractions; have all you need in the drawers)

13. Organizational skills (cont’d)  Manage your time use daily planner list daily activities and assign each a time slot (start with classes, labs, athletics, meals, sleep, studying, friends) use technology

14. Organizational skills (cont’d)  Schedule for success: Where and when do you study best? When are you most productive? Block off 2-3 hrs and do hardest work first. Find a study place that is less distracting than your room (e.g. café, library, room reserved for students with disabilities)

15. Organizational skills (cont’d)  Carry a laptop Keep laptop close at hand Take notes in class and then file them work on assignments in spare time keep searchable record of everything by subject and date

16. SQ3R Method of Reading  Survey  Question  Read  Recite  Review

17. Find a Point Person  Find on-campus support  Arrange for accommodations  Support in organizational skills  Track how the student is doing on a weekly basis  Track attendance

18. Encourage Self-Advocacy  Introduce self to each teacher  Discuss that he/she has ADHD and accommodations  Be aware of your learning style – how you learn best, what is difficult for you

19. Build a routine  Students with ADHD perform best under a structured life with lots of routine and predictability.  Study in same place & same time  Get up, eat and go to bed according to a routine  Short study blocks with frequent breaks

20. Improving self-esteem  Educate youth about ADHD  Support groups  +ve self-statements  Help youth build competencies  Diversify self-esteem  Partner with your child to help compensate  Keep a disability perspective