adhd - Homework problems and solutions

Many times  children's struggles with homework are not really do to lack of understanding of the task or concepts. Rather, the emotional arousal triggered by the books, papers, the desk and other materials idrains their mental ability to complete their homework. Before helping them with the substantive aspects of their homework, you always make sure that access to their knowledge and performance is not being blocked by emotional arousal.

A way to deal with this problem is to use WebCAER to desensitize the child's arousal by putting the difficult task on the computer screen between the lights. You can do this a couple of ways. If it is a piece of paper, like a worksheet, then it is often easiest to use some masking tape to tape it over the screen so that the lights can still se seen on either side of it. If it is something visual, you can use your digital camera to take a picture of it in, procedures described above, then display that between the lights.

Have them look at the homework material and  think about the bad feelings, such as anxiety, frustration or anger, that it causes. When they can experience the bad feelings, have them watch the lights and try to experience those bad feelings as strongly as possible. Alternate between trying to conjure the bad feelings and watching the lights until they can no longer conjure the bad feelings.

After the feelings have subsided, have them continue to work on the task while it is still presented on the screen.  It is often useful for them to alternate between trying to solve the problem and watching the lights.

Many times, once the emotional arousal is lowered, they can easily proceed without any substantive help from the parent. It is always better for them to be able to accomplish the task rather than your doing it for them.