ADHD Advice

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- ADHD is the most common behavior disorder in school-aged children. When it comes to learning, kids with the disorder are at a disadvantage and it can leave a lasting impact on their lives. More than a third of people with ADHD don’t finish high school and more than half abuse drugs and alcohol. While there's no cure, little changes can help your kid succeed in life.

Kids with ADHD have a hard time sitting still, but a new study suggests fidgeting may actually help them focus and learn. Researchers think squirming may stimulate the working memory area of their brain.

"Working memory is integral to learning in school," Mark Rapport, Ph.D., the director of Children's Learning Clinic at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., told Ivanhoe.

Like adults use caffeine to stay alert, kids with ADHD use movement.

"They may need to move more to maintain the same level of alertness relative to a typically developing child," Dr. Rapport explained.

Other research shows while a typical person uses the verbal section of their brains during working memory tasks, those with ADHDuse visual areas. When giving directions, be sure to supplement verbal instructions with visual ones.

"Instead of just verbally telling them what to do, I can right it down, its time to do the laundry," Julie Boisvert, who's son has ADHD, said.

Another way to help kids with ADHD concentrate is to use a timer. They have trouble keeping track of time so setting a time limit will help them gauge how long they have to complete an activity.