By Patricia Hill

Roughly 8 percent of children have a form of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Students who have been diagnosed with a form of ADHD face significant struggles in their educational programs on a daily basis. Most of these students have a harder time grasping the concepts in a group learning setting, focusing on one task at a time, or completing given assignments. Many of these students can benefit from some additional one-on-one tutoring in order for them to fully comprehend the material.
 
Thankfully, additional avenues of education are available for children with ADHD that help to support their learning time at school. By choosing a supplemental method of learning, the student can refocus on their studies in a setting that best fits their learning style.
 
By selecting an individual tutor or a tutoring center, you can help your child reinforce what they’ve learned in the classroom through additional resources and programs that make learning exciting for your child.

As you begin the search for the best tutor for your child, speak with your child’s teacher about which subjects your tutor should focus on. The teacher may have a recommendation for a well-established tutor. You can also speak with a school administrator for any tutors they have had success with in the past.
 
Once you start the interview process for potential candidates, consider asking each candidate a few questions about their educational background and their certification in a specific area. Speak with them about their knowledge of the subjects they will be teaching, and ask them about their experience with former ADHD students. Discuss your child’s specific needs and learn about the educator’s preferred techniques so that you can also help implement them at home. You might also allow your child to create a few questions of their own to ask the candidates so that they feel more excited about the future of their education.

​Tutoring centers design their educational programs based on each child’s unique needs. The benefit to choosing a tutoring center versus an individual tutor is that the interview process has been done for you. These centers typically hire professionals based on detailed educational requirements and schooling backgrounds. Because of their high standards and specifications for their staff, they usually offer a variety of programs that a sole individual may not be able to provide. Tutoring centers are equipped with materials that supplement an array of subjects. They have the classroom feel and the ability to give one-on-one time to your student, minimizing distractions.
 
The key is to find the right tutoring center that fits your budget, and that can provide all of the necessary opportunities for your student. Consider calling a few local facilities and speaking with them about their programs. Ask to interview the director and learn about a few of their success stories. Then, take a tour of the facility with your child and make sure it is somewhere that your child will feel comfortable during their time there.
 
After finding the perfect tutor or tutoring center for your student, consider watching a few of the lessons and focus on the kinds of activities they have included in the lesson plan. Once your child has been through several sessions, speak with their teacher at school about their progress to see if this option is best supports the educational process.

Not every parent is cut out to tutor their child, and that’s okay. However, some parents have the ideal combination of knowledge and patience so crucial for the tutoring experience. If you're well-versed in the subject matter your child struggles with and have the patience and time, there’s nothing wrong with tutoring them yourself.
 
Many parents who are teachers take on this role, though you have to strike the right balance. You don’t want to make your child uncomfortable or pressured. On the flip side, if your tutoring makes a significantly positive impact, then you know you’ve made the right choice. You may have even found a way to make a little money on the side during school breaks. ZenBusiness notes that top tutors can earn as much as $1,000 a month!
 
As you begin seeking out the perfect supplemental program for your child’s education, try implementing a few things at home to help them adjust to their new learning activities. Help your child gain confidence in their individuality by providing what they need to succeed in their education. A sense of accomplishment can set your child up for making better choices in all areas of their lives. Everyone has a unique learning style and should be celebrated for how they progress, no matter the pace. It is important that they know their value, their potential, and that their education can be obtained in their own unique way. Find your child’s perfect tutor today.