ADHD: Helping Students Stay Focused, Organized, and Motivated
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions among school-aged children, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood.
Whether you’re a parent trying to understand your child’s daily struggles, an educator navigating behavior and focus challenges, or a clinician guiding families through diagnosis and support plans, this episode delivers practical insight and research-backed strategies to help students with ADHD succeed.
Rethinking ADHD: It’s Not About Laziness or Disobedience
Many people still believe myths about ADHD: that it only affects boys, that it’s caused by bad parenting, or that kids will simply grow out of it. But ADHD isn’t a behavior problem or a lack of willpower. It’s a difference in how the brain manages attention, memory, and self-regulation.
Dr. Marta Shinn, Ph.D., a licensed clinical and educational psychologist and founder of Variations Psychology, joins us to share her expertise supporting neurodiverse kids and teens.
“ADHD is not a reflection of intelligence,” she explains. “It’s a difference in executive function. And intelligence and ADHD are not connected.”
Many students with ADHD are bright and capable—but without the right support, they’re often mislabeled, leading to shame, anxiety, and academic struggle.
Executive Function and the ADHD Brain
One of the biggest challenges students with ADHD face is executive dysfunction. This includes difficulties with:
- Task initiation: getting started on assignments
- Working memory: holding onto information long enough to use it
- Emotional regulation: coping with frustration or boredom
- Impulse control: resisting distractions or sudden bursts of energy or emotion
Up to 90% of students with ADHD have significant impairments in one or more of these areas (Brown, 2009). And traditional classroom environments (i.e. long lectures, rigid schedules, and passive learning) are often the worst possible fit.
What Doesn’t Work (and What Does)
One of the most important takeaways from this conversation: strategies that rely on punishment, public shaming, or constant correction don’t work. In fact, they often make things worse.
“Routine is what ADHD brains naturally resist. But structure is what they desperately need,” says Dr. Shinn.
So what helps?
- Visual schedules
- Movement breaks
- Predictable routines
- Private, positive feedback
- Flexible structures with choice
- Safe ways to report bullying or social stress
For example, instead of saying “Do your homework,” try using a choice board—a grid of task options that all meet the same goal. It gives students autonomy while still maintaining structure.
A New Vision for School
“If we design a school system that works for kids with ADHD,” Dr. Shinn says, “we create a better system for all kids.”
That starts with understanding the difference between a distracted student and a student with ADHD. One powerful sign? Students with ADHD may show extreme hyper-focus on topics they love and struggle to complete basic tasks in areas they find boring or overwhelming. The inconsistency isn’t defiance; it’s neurology.
The good news? When adults meet these students with empathy instead of judgment, and provide scaffolds that match how their brains operate, real change is possible.
Real Tools for Parents and Educators
In our “Real Talk, Real Tools” segment, Lynna highlights takeaways from the book ADHD is Awesome by Penn and Kim Holderness:
1. Offer Connection Instead of Correction
When your child forgets something (again), shift from frustration to empathy. Say, “That’s tough. I forget things too.” It builds trust and removes shame.
2. Build Systems That Match the Brain
Use checklists, timers, and visual cues. These are tools that promote independence and reduce chaos at home and school.
Start small. Choose one part of the day that’s stressful (like mornings or homework) and build a visual system for it.
Myth-Busting: What ADHD Isn’t
The episode also tackles common myths, including:
Myth: ADHD only affects boys.
Fact: Girls often go undiagnosed due to subtler symptoms.
Myth: ADHD is caused by bad parenting.
Fact: ADHD is a brain-based condition, not a parenting failure.
Myth: Kids with ADHD just need to try harder.
Fact: They need support that matches how their brain works.
Myth: Children outgrow ADHD.
Fact: Many people carry ADHD symptoms into adulthood.
What Thriving Looks Like
So what does success look like for a student with ADHD? Dr. Shinn paints a powerful picture of a student who once struggled with daily meltdowns and failing grades—now thriving thanks to personalized support, safe environments, and trust-filled relationships.
“ADHD is a gift,” she reminds us. “It’s a special talent. You just need to learn how to use the gift.”
Take the Learning DNA Quiz
Have a feeling your child’s current school environment isn’t supporting them the way they need?
Take our quick Learning DNA Quiz to understand your student’s learning persona and discover strategies to help them thrive both inside the classroom and out.
