Because ADHD affects a student’s ability to sustain attention, it can be difficult for them to focus on what is being taught. This can lead to challenges with memory, comprehension, and overall academic success. This can create a loop where they’re consistently falling behind and feeling incapable.
Tutoring can be a transformational opportunity for students with ADHD.
When done effectively, tutoring can help students understand their own learning capabilities, close gaps in their learning, and teach them executive functioning skills that help them learn more efficiently. This gives the student tools they can use in future classes and also outside of the classroom, such as time management, scheduling, and organization.
It’s important to remember that for many students with ADHD, their struggle in class is not a cognitive issue. It’s not that the topic is “too hard” but rather that their struggle to focus is preventing them from receiving or retaining what they need to succeed.
In this post, we cover:
- What to look for when evaluating tutoring programs for ADHD students. The best tutoring programs help students develop their confidence and cultivate useful habits that make it easier for them to study new material more effectively.
- Tutoring programs for ADHD students at Fusion Academy. Fusion Academy offers several different tutoring packages, both in-person and online.
Looking for personalized tutoring? Learn more about Fusion Academy’s tutoring programs.
What to Look for When Evaluating Tutoring Programs for ADHD Students
To get the most out of tutoring programs for your child with ADHD, it’s important to focus on programs that:
- Address distraction and inattention. Loud, busy classrooms and crowded study halls can make it difficult for students with ADHD to focus. Distraction and inattention can cause students to miss key information.
- Personalize instruction to focus on gaps in learning. Let’s take math tutoring, for example. A child may be struggling with a key concept on their latest algebra homework. But as the tutor works with the student, they realize they have a larger learning gap where they have not mastered a more foundational skill. That gap is making it difficult for them to understand the current assignments. By addressing that gap, the student can continue to progress.
- Leverage interests. Leveraging a student’s interest is a great way to get a student to engage with the material. This requires a level of personalization, as the tutor will adapt their tutoring sessions towards each student. For example, if a student is interested in skateboarding but is struggling in geometry, a good tutor can customize the problems to focus on understanding the angles in a skate park.
- Help students develop their executive functioning. ADHD students often need help with executive functioning skills like organization. While they may understand the class material, they might need an added layer of support with organizing a project, studying for a test, or clarifying their notes in a structured way. It’s best to find a program that focuses on both content-based tutoring (such as helping a student complete their homework) and skill-based tutoring, where the tutor helps the student learn how to study more effectively.
- Have experienced teachers. Experienced ADHD tutors know how to break down complex tasks into manageable steps, use multi-sensory teaching approaches, and recognize when a student needs a different strategy or even just a quick movement break. They’re also skilled at building rapport quickly and maintaining engagement through positive reinforcement and patience. These tutors can distinguish between when a student truly doesn’t understand the material versus when ADHD symptoms are interfering with their ability to demonstrate their knowledge.
Fusion Academy’s Tutoring Programs for ADHD Students
Fusion Academy is a private middle school and high school with over 80 campuses across the US, along with a comprehensive online program called Fusion Global Academy. Both options offer full-time programs, classes for credit, summer programs, and tutoring packages. Students can take tutoring sessions either on campus, remotely, or a hybrid of both.
Fusion Academy offers:
- General tutoring packages: For first-time students, this can be a package of 5 sessions. For existing students, we offer packages of 10, 15, or 20 sessions. The sessions can support any subject and content area (elective or required).
- Tutoring packages built around study strategies and executive functioning: These are tutoring sessions that focus on helping a student with ADHD learn how to build general skills to support their progress in any class.
- Math and reading-specific tutoring packages: These are for students who are struggling specifically with foundational math and reading skills.
We go over our tutoring packages below, but first, let’s look at how teachers at Fusion Academy tutor students with ADHD.
Personalized Tutoring with Experienced Teachers
Our tutoring sessions are conducted by our full-time teachers, who have experience in working with a variety of students, including:
- Students with school anxiety
- Students with Sensory Processing Disorder
- Students on the Autism Spectrum
- Gifted students
Like our general classes, tutoring sessions are one-to-one. This means a teacher can personalize the tutoring session toward the student’s unique ADHD profile and learning needs. For example, personalization might include adjusting the session structure (some students need frequent short breaks every 10-15 minutes) while others benefit from longer focused periods with movement breaks built in.
Our tutors can also:
- Adapt their teaching style in real-time. On days when a student feels especially hyperactive, the tutor may incorporate more hands-on activities or allow the student to stand while working.
- Modify the pace of instruction, spend extra time on concepts when attention is strong, and shift to review activities when focus starts to wane.
- Personalize organizational strategies, helping one student create color-coded systems while teaching another to use digital tools that match their preferences.
- Recognize and respond to ADHD symptoms as they arise, whether that’s redirecting attention without judgment, providing fidget tools, or switching to a different focus when frustration builds. This level of individualized attention simply isn’t possible in group settings where the tutor must keep everyone at the same pace.
Students can receive tutoring in all core and elective subjects. You can view our course catalog here.
Here are the current tutoring packages Fusion Academy offers.
Introductory 5-Pack of Customized Tutoring
Fusion Academy’s Introductory 5-Pack of Customized Tutoring is the most economical option ($300 for 5 sessions). This offering is for students new to Fusion and allows parents to examine if Fusion’s approach to tutoring is right for their child.
These sessions are flexible both in scheduling and content. They can be used to fill learning gaps, set a strong foundation for the next school year, or even dive into a new elective subject.
If tutoring at Fusion Academy is helping improve a student’s academic skills and confidence, then families can continue with larger packages of 10, 20, or 30 sessions.
Study Hacks
Fusion Academy’s Study Hacks tutoring pack helps students learn study skills in a personalized, one-to-one environment.
In these one-to-one sessions, teachers cover critical thinking, active listening, goal setting, homework strategies, motivation and self-discipline, stress management, note-taking tips, and more.
These sessions can be beneficial for students with ADHD who may be struggling academically. Not because they lack the cognitive ability to understand what’s being taught, but because they don’t yet have the tools to focus in class or when they’re studying on their own.
Math Recovery
Fusion Academy’s Math Recovery tutoring package is ideal for students who specifically need support with math.
To better cater the program toward the student, our teachers start by getting to know the student’s strengths and goals. Students also take initial assessments, which assist our teachers in identifying opportunities for growth in the subject.
In these sessions, students work to:
- Build fluency of foundational math skills
- Practice and apply concepts in new applications
- Integrate real-life problem-solving
- Prepare students for the specific skills required for their math course
Reading & Writing Recovery
Fusion Academy’s Reading & Writing Recovery package aims to help students who are struggling with literacy skills.
Like our Math Recovery program, students take initial assessments to help the teacher gauge where they need the most instruction.
In these sessions, students will:
- Improve reading fluency in narrative and expository texts
- Increase academic vocabulary
- Refine writing organization skills
- Improve grammar and language arts skills
Math and Reading Remediation Programs
So far, we’ve covered our tutoring options for students, including general tutoring sessions in any subject or our specific math and reading packages.
But oftentimes, students with ADHD benefit most from a more involved plan.
For these students, we offer two different comprehensive programs:
- Math remediation
- Reading remediation
Fusion Academy’s Math Remediation Program
Fusion Academy’s math remediation is for students who need more focus on closing foundational gaps in their math knowledge and skills.
Typically, students attend 50-minute classes twice a week. To complete the class, students usually need to spend around 30 hours in class and are encouraged to spend an additional 2 hours per week studying on their own. There are no tests or grades, and the course is not aligned with Common Core standards. Students simply pass or fail based on the time and effort they put in.
In this class, students solve practice problems with a teacher on a whiteboard and work independently in ALEKS, an AI adaptive learning software that updates the lesson plan based on student performance. ALEKS also allows students to check their work independently, offering detailed explanations for each problem.
Fusion Academy’s Reading Remediation Program
Fusion’s flagship remedial reading class, Reading Skills and Strategies, combines independent learning on an online platform with 1-to-1 instruction from a teacher.
This hybrid model sets this program apart from most remedial reading initiatives, which typically rely entirely on software. Our research shows that while software-based learning can be beneficial, a combination of self-study and academic support from a teacher is more effective in promoting student success. A teacher provides guidance, accountability, and helps students navigate difficult material.
Classes are tailored to shift between self-study and instruction from the teacher, according to the student’s needs. A typical 50-minute class is divided roughly in half, with slightly more self-study than direct instruction.
Students attend two classes per week and must complete 30 hours of instruction to finish the program.
The course utilizes PowerUp — a platform created by Lexia, an education company with over 40 years of experience in literacy. PowerUp targets essential literacy areas: word study, comprehension, and grammar. Through machine learning, the platform adapts to each student’s progress, providing tailored support for their reading level.
PowerUp is designed to be interactive and engaging, incorporating streaks and level completions to add a gamified element. These features motivate students to study both independently and with their teacher. We typically recommend at least one hour of self-study each week.
Fusion Academy’s Structured Literacy Programs
Unlike Reading Skills and Strategies, which combines software and traditional teaching techniques (like spelling words on a whiteboard), Structured Literacy uses a multisensory approach, which incorporates:
- Visual methods: such as color-coding and flashcards
- Auditory methods: like knocking on a desk
- Kinesthetic methods: such as learning sounds while dancing or writing on gel boards
Multisensory methods have been shown to be more effective for dyslexic students than a traditional classroom environment, which can leave them feeling confused or overlooked.
Though originally designed for dyslexic students, Structured Literacy has also proven helpful for English language learners who face challenges with reading.
Note: As of this writing, Structured Literacy is in pilot and may not be available in your area. Contact your local campus to inquire about availability.
Options for Students Seeking School Credit
Fusion Academy is a fully accredited private school for middle school and high school students. In addition to tutoring, we offer a full-time academic program as well as individual classes for credit, giving students the flexibility to take a full or part-time course load.
At Fusion, families can choose from:
- Essential courses: These are non-college preparatory courses. They meet the requirements for high school graduation, but they are not geared toward preparing a student for college.
- College preparatory courses: These are more rigorous courses that help prepare a student for college.
- Honors courses: These are advanced-level courses that go beyond the standard curriculum with more complex material, faster pacing, and higher expectations for critical thinking.
- AP® courses: Advanced Placement courses offer college-level curriculum that can earn students college credit through standardized exams. These courses require significant reading, writing, and analytical skills, along with complex project management.
A student’s schedule may consist of one of each course type: a college preparatory course, an AP® course, and an Essential course.
If you’re interested in having your child attend Fusion, contact us today and we will answer all your questions!
