Closing the Gap Between Expectations and Abilities in Teens with ADHD

Closing the Gap Between Expectations and Abilities in Teens with ADHD Teens with ADHD are just as different from one another as teens without ADHD. Some are outgoing and some are more shy and introverted, some are perfectionistic while others are happy to rush through their work to get it done, some are creative and some are athletic, some are leaders and some are followers. However, there is one thing that all teens with ADHD have in common they all struggle more than their classmates at school and in their social life. Some teens with ADHD may hide the struggle well, and compensate for their difficulties by working twice as hard as their friends or by being the funniest, most entertaining student in the room. But even those who succeed at covering-up their challenges on the surface continue to struggle behind the scenes. Teens with ADHD often feel like they are different from their friends but dont know why. They have a tendency to make impulsive decisions that lead to bad outcomes, or talk too much and tend to say the wrong thing at the wrong time, and they almost always have difficulty navigating the high school social scene both in-person and online. In addition to dealing with ADHD, they are also coping with the typical challenges of adolescence developing their identity, struggling for independence, dating, riding emotional rollercoasters, handling increased academic pressure, facing tough choices about alcohol and drugs, and feeling the pressure to prepare for life after high school. When you think about it this way, it seems like a lot to manage, right? Adolescence is one of the most challenging times in our lives. During childhood, the structure and support provided by parents and teachers, coupled with relatively low social and academic demands, help make ADHD manageable. Once a child becomes a teen, the social and academic demands increase dramatically, and the high level of support and structure present during elementary school falls away. Teenagers who are cognitively and emotionally equipped to handle these changes ultimately develop healthy coping skills and strategies that allow them to become more independent over time. Unfortunately, most, if not all, teens with ADHD do not have the cognitive or emotional resources to manage increased demands and expectations without additional support. The difference between the cognitive and emotional abilities of a teen with ADHD and the expectations placed by parents and teachers at this age creates a virtual gap. On a day-to-day basis, this gap shows up in arguments between teens and parents about lack of motivation and effort, poor social choices, and failure to keep track of important items. Left to their own devices, teens with ADHD use ineffective coping strategies in an attempt to fill the gap between their abilities and the expectations they face. Not surprisingly, these ineffective strategies do nothing to build independence and only serve to widen the gap over time. Fortunately, with the help and support from therapists, teachers, and parents, as well as ongoing treatment of underlying ADHD symptoms, teens with ADHD can develop the skills and coping strategies that they need to succeed. As a parent, how to you start helping your teen close the gap between their current abilities and real-world expectations? Take a few minutes to reflect on the number of times you find yourself thinking or saying, My teen should be doing ___ by now, but instead he or she still need help with this. Make a list of these things that you think he or she should be doing. Chances are they are going to be things like getting homework done each day, getting out of bed or out of the house each morning, staying organized, keeping track of his or her phone or other belongings, planning ahead for projects or events, helping out around the house, joining activities at school, or making new friends. Think about your expectations for each of the items on your list. Are the expectations what you would reasonably expect for an average teenager? If youre not sure, then ask for input from a counselor or teacher at your teens school, or someone who has experience working with a wide range of teenagers. For each item on your list, the space between the realistic expectation and your teens current behavior represent the gaps that your teen needs help closing. Helping your teen close these gaps doesnt mean continuing to do things for him or her, and it also doesnt mean lowering the bar. What is does mean is making sure that your teen: Understands why he or she is struggling Receives treatment for his or her ADHD symptoms and learns the necessary skills and healthy coping strategies for building up areas of weakness Receives academic assistance that will help him or her learn the material that he or she has struggled to grasp and develop the academic skills needed for success. Adolescence is a challenging time for all teens with ADHD, and none of them should have to cope with the challenges alone. As a parent, you can help by identifying the gap areas where your teen needs help the most, and providing the support and resources that will help close the gaps and succeed over time. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.