Kids With ADHD and Autism Succeed More During Online Class, New Study Shows

Many parents are concerned that their children will fall behind while learning virtually during the coronavirus pandemic, so President Biden's goal to have the majority of K-8 schools open by the end of his first 100 days in office is a welcome goal.

However, parents discover that their children with ADHD or autism perform and focus better in an online school setting when classmates do not surround them.

Andrea Parrish confirmed the same as a researcher at Johns Hopkins School of Education and director of growth and learning programs at the IDEALS institute.

"In some cases, the social dimension is stripped away," says Parrish, who works with students from underserved communities. "Since there isn't much of an expectation for face-to-face contact, many children enjoy it. That is what they want."

READ: Children With Autism at Higher Risk of Developing Mental Health Conditions, Study Proves

According to Parrish, for kids with ADHD to excel in online learning, they must understand and self-regulate their needs, recognizing their needs to get up and walk around now and then.

In the classroom, where students must sit still, listen to teachers, and complete their work on time, the effects of ADHD can be challenging. Some of these issues, such as distractions from noisy classmates, can be addressed by switching to online learning. However, it comes with its own set of challenges. Children with ADHD may require additional assistance to stay on track.

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Here are some suggestions for helping your kids with ADHD or autism succeed in online classes

• Plan, but don't over manage. Home learning eliminates the structure that ADHD children require. It's easier for them to put off tasks they don't want to do if they don't have a clear daily schedule, thus work with your child to create a daily plan. Post it in their classroom or, if they're older, in a shared online folder. You should include any of their courses, exams, and tasks.
• Assist them in setting reminders on their phone or computer for class schedules, class breaks, or turn in work. Check-in often with your kids to ensure that they remain on track and attend classes on time.
• Maintaining a routine is essential for everyone, but they are significant for children with ADHD. As if your child were going to school, wake them up at the same time. Encourage them to get dressed and eat breakfast every morning, just as they did before. Make sure your child gets enough sleep so that he or she can concentrate and behave better. Switch off all screens an hour before bedtime.
• Let your child take his required ADHD medication on time. If you are unable to attend your child's monthly prescription checkup, inquire if your doctor might be able to write a 60- or 90-day prescription in its place.
• It would be best if you avoided distractions for your child. Set up a quiet study area in your house, free of visual distractions such as large windows or posters on the walls. Place pieces of cardboard on either side of your child's screen as blinders. If your child will focus better on background music, put on soft music.
• Request that your child put their cell phone and other electronic devices away until the end of class. When school is done online, you can't take the machine down or use programs like Freedom or Cold Turkey, or Google Chrome plugins like Dayboard, to restrict access to annoying websites.

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