ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that affects the behaviour of individuals. People with ADHD may appear fidgety, face difficulty concentrating, and act impulsively.
The symptoms of ADHD are usually noticed at an early age and become more prominent when the child’s environment changes, such as when they start attending school.
Individuals with autism may express their feelings and emotions differently than others. They may have difficulty communicating and interacting with others or understanding their thoughts or feelings.
Additionally, they may find certain aspects of the environment, such as bright lights or loud noises, overwhelming or uncomfortable. They may also become anxious or upset in unfamiliar situations or social events.
Dyslexia is a very common learning difficulty that affects reading, writing, and spelling. It is specific to particular abilities used for learning and often becomes evident during a child’s school years.
Dyslexia does not impact someone’s intelligence, although it may undermine a student’s confidence in their academic abilities.
ADHD, autism and dyslexia are three of the most common special educational needs, however, there are many others. A person has special educational needs and disabilities if they have a learning difficulty and/or a disability that requires particular educational support.
Students with special educational needs may struggle with traditional teaching methods. They might take longer to understand, digest and apply information or require a different teaching approach to support their learning.
Special educational needs students might have difficulty establishing relationships with their peers due to differences in communication or behaviour. This can lead to feelings of isolation or exclusion. Everyone benefits from social connectedness, but many special educational needs result in students needing support to build them.
The challenges of having a special educational need or the condition itself can result in emotional difficulties and distress. Students may display disruptive behaviour, appear withdrawn or have difficulty managing their emotions.
Consistently lagging behind their friends academically or socially may affect their self-esteem and confidence. Students may feel a sense of inadequacy and develop a fear of failure. This can lead to anxiety, depression or burnout in the long run.
Depending on the nature of the special needs, students may encounter physical difficulties in accomplishing tasks or participating in activities. Addressing the emotions around physical challenges as early as possible is crucial to prevent them from being ingrained.
Many conditions can lead to shorter attention spans or difficulty focusing, creating learning obstacles. These obstacles can be overcome with consistent and diligent practice and the proper support.
Depending on the student’s needs, they may benefit from external support such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, tutoring, coaching, and other learning aids. Starting support as early as possible is especially important to prevent ingrained negative behaviours and responses.
Foster a positive and accepting atmosphere where diversity is celebrated, and understanding is encouraged. Students with a special educational needs may feel very different from their peers, which can negatively impact their long-term mental health. It is best to educate students about differences and acceptance, creating empathy and reducing the impact of bullying or exclusion.
Encourage them to participate in group activities and foster friendships. A good option is to find activities where they can make friendships through hobbies they are passionate about.
Find opportunities for them to express their feelings or concerns. Have coaches, educational experts, school counsellors or psychologists available for support. An expert with knowledge of their condition can help during emotionally fraught times.
Different students learn in different ways. Using various teaching methods allows the student to grasp concepts more effectively. This could include hands-on activities, visual or auditory presentations, digital learning resources, or individual and group tasks. Try to be flexible, as students with a particular condition sometimes learn differently.
Setting attainable and meaningful goals for the student is vital, helping to promote progress and boosting self-esteem. Celebrate achievements to motivate the student, no matter how small they seem.
We focus entirely on their tutee, understanding their unique learning style, capabilities, and challenges. This specialised attention can make learning more effective, engaging and meaningful.
Traditional classrooms often stick to set schedules and methods, but as tutors, we can adapt to the best pace and style that suits the student.
By breaking down complex ideas into more straightforward, more understandable concepts, we help students improve in their academic subjects. We work to tailor our approach to each student, as students with special educational needs are diverse individuals.
A significant part of a tutor’s job is to instil confidence in their tutee, reassuring them that they can learn and improve despite their challenges. We celebrate the victories and encourage the students to keep trying during stressful or overwhelming times.
Special educational needs tutors create an environment where students feel comfortable expressing their fears, frustrations, and insecurities. This emotional outlet can make the student feel supported, confident and understood.
Some students with special needs may feel overwhelmed in regular classroom or educational settings. Private tutoring or coaching reduces this problem, as students can learn in a more relaxed and comfortable environment. A student-tutor relationship is more informal and personal than the equivalent with a school teacher.
Tutors can help students develop social skills by teaching them strategies to communicate effectively, understand social cues, respect others’ perspectives, and build relationships. Social skills are challenging to develop independently and often require expert, outside support to improve.
Our tutors provide individualised expert support, and patience from first-hand experience; we help students thrive academically while encouraging them to grow as individuals.
We work with school or homeschool students to build their confidence in their abilities. We teach through positive reinforcement and compassionate understanding.
We have developed teaching techniques that are designed to reduce stress and anxiety around learning. A calm environment is critical for learning.
Find the perfect tutor by assessing their skills and compatibility. If you can’t decide, feel free to send us a message or schedule a free call.
Book a free introductory call with us to discuss options and ask any questions you may have about our process of supporting students with ADHD/ADD.
As soon as you feel confident in our methods and procedures, you can begin your course immediately by enlisting the help of one of our experts.
