My sister has "ADD" (Attention Deficit Disorder) how can i help her?

Question

My sister is in highschool and with all the homework its really hard for her to deal with. She gets alot of homework and it takes her twice as long to do it then it would someone with out ADD. i really want to her help her but i dont know how. It gets so bad that she jus break down and cry. how can i help her? i really want to!! thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

Sticky notes in her favorite color are wonderfull. For one the color will draw her attention and the quick, simple note will keep her attention long enough to remember it.
ADD is a chemical imbalance, just think of youself as making a bridge for her to cross over and her life will become easier with your support and help.....Also....don't let her do homework for longer than a half hour at a time....pick her subjects and break them up. and give her fun breaks. Her mind will already wonder so by giving her the brakes it will help her to refocus.

Answer 2

Actually hon, there is not much you can do, but a physician might. There are meds that help people with that problem. I taught school for 25 years, so I have seen it all. And it has always amazed me that some parentsabsolutely refuse to give a kid meds. Assuming that your sister really does have this condition, and not something else, meds can work wonders, particularly if she has tried about everything else. The argument that I gave parents who knew their child had learning disorders was, "If your physician told you that your child had diabetes, would you withhold treatment?" And of course the answer was always "of course not". So, perhaps your parents need to understand that ADD is just a malfunction of the brain, and that meds can at times help that...... it isn't a for-the-rest-of-her-life thing, and if the reactions are too great, your sister and her doctor can try something else, or stop altogether. Worth a try, hon.

Just as a quick note, I had a student who was failing my grade 8 math class -- couldn't do the work, had no attention span, wandered around the class and never really knew what or where he was. Language and directions were hard for him. I kept a diary on what he did for about a month, and then called in his mom. Teachers aren't docs so all I could say is this is what I see, and this is why he is failing, and you might find that by taking this (the diary I kept) to a physician, you can find some things that may help him. Make a long story short, the kid was on meds 2 weeks, and was doing great. He himself upped the dose, and told his parents later. He ended up with an A+ and was awarded "Most Improved Student" for the year!!!!!! an F to an A+????? I'd give anything a try if I were a kid for stuff like that. He and I talked several times and what he told me was that things no longer confused him, that he was no longer distracted, that the work was fun, and he could see how much he had improved. Hope you show this to your parents. If your sister is not on some type of ADD med, she, and your parents have nothing to loose. If she is, the doc might try changing it. In one case, I kept in contact with a pediatrician for almost 6 months while he juggled things. One meds, this kid was a star, off of meds, he'd walk up to another kid and break off a pencil lead in some other student's arm. And, I have had kids on meds, where nothing worked..... Nothing is perfect, sweetie, but anything is worth a try when school is sooooo frustrating that you just wish it would all go away......

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Answer 3

There are several things you can do. One big thing is find the book "The ADD Book", by Sears and Thompson. It is a comprehensive book that gives you some great ideas; biofeedback, diet, etc., to help out.

Also, has she had a full evaluation by a team that has done a 700 point exam for ADD? It is important to rule out other things that could look like ADD (learning disorders, physical problems, etc.).

Ther are some natural remedies on the market, check with the health foods store near you or Native Remedies on the internet.

When she studies, tell her to drink a cup of coffee before, and see if she can focus more. That is a very simple thing, but it can help her. She also needs tutoring in school, you should discuss this with her principal for special needs kids there are laws that protect her so she gets the help she needs.

Trying to have her remain calm, organized, eat healthy and maybe counseling too along with what is in the book are beneficial. Good luck.

Answer 4

My two kids have that, one with ODD to boot. You need to make
sure that you contact the counselors and get her extra help. Whether it is through a tutor, or whatever. My daughter refused
all help (because she didn't want to stand out) and she struggled
terribly. She graduated and she still struggles with everyday
life and her college classes.

My son accepts his addtional support (he has an IEP) and
he is a STRAIGHT A student.

These kids are smart and they just learn a different way..some
hands on..etc. The school can provide assistance. They
can get her books on tape etc. I recommend that you start
with a meeting with the school counselor and then a teacher
meeting. There is hope! Best Wishes

Answer 5

i have ADD too and I'm in high school now i used to do that until i got medicated caffeine helps a lot and sugar makes it worse so when she is doing her homework give her a diet coke or something of the sorts and have a lot of patience and when she starts to get annoyed stop her and just tell her that she can do it

then talk to a doctor about it ....ADD is tough to live with ... i know

being medicated truly helps

Answer 6

i am answering some questions for my mother.i have a son who has ADHD.and he to was having a hard time in scool with his school work.itried eveything before i found out what he had.he would hate to do school work he to would cry and get very frusrated doing school work.so i decided to take him to the doctor and that when they told me he had adhd.they told me that medication can help.so they put him on (riddelin).there are other medicines that are out there.also i got him counsling.when he started his counsling they told me it might be best to put him in special education classes.and i took there advice.and he has been there since fourth grade now he is in the sixth grade and he has been doing great ever since.i know alot of parents don't like the thought of there children being in special classes.but its a great opportunity for your child to learn and understand at his own pace and at the same time be able to really understand and comprehend what he or she is doing. thats the most important thing is for them to know what is what .my son is doing what sixth graders are doing and he gets his one on one help with his teachers .he has been on the honor roll for two years now. and today he brought his report card home and has A's and B's he's a good kid and i try to do my best to keep it that way. i really hope i could have been some help to you .good luck on getting your sister some help .it seems to me you really love and care about your sister.you took the first step by reaching out for advice.GOOD LUCK......

Answer 7

if you can see this and have one of the parents that can be supportive in your efforts to help because the emotional rage of hyperactive kids is anywhere but on school work. each frustration is chaos in blasting brains right out of sight during that bad times and when it's good it still sucks because it doesn't make any sense. logic just isn't in the picture for education at all in hyperactive people and your being with her is the most supportive thing you can do.the whole thing,real concepts of why bother to do this crap is flying in the face of people who don't want to do it ever not today not tomorrow or ever they simply grasp the horrible thing that is like a death sentence in learning in school. not easy to help people who hate the very thought of school

Answer 8

i would make sure shes on meds. I have ADD and i take Aderal it helps me stay focus and do well in school. also has she tried getting a tutor or anything?