Have you noticed consistently low grades or concerning feedback on your child’s English assignments? Is your child struggling with writing essays or reading analysis in English class? It’s not uncommon for middle and high school students to struggle with English class, especially as assignments become more complex. As they get older, the workload piles up—more reading, more writing, and much more challenging material. For teens with ADHD, these challenges are often magnified.
Parents may find it difficult to spot these struggles early on. Recognizing signs like ADHD-related writing difficulties or challenges with reading comprehension can be tough since many teens don’t openly express their frustrations.
Whether they’re battling ADHD-related writing challenges or facing issues with reading comprehension, we’ve got practical strategies to help. By recognizing these warning signs early, you can help your teen build confidence, stay on track, and succeed in English class—even when the going gets tough.
Sign #1: Poor Grades on English Assignments
Example:
One of the clearest signs your teen may need extra help in English class is a noticeable drop in their grades. Perhaps your teen used to manage well but is now getting lower grades or missing deadlines altogether. Maybe you’ve started seeing lower grades or comments about their academic performance, and the feedback from their teacher suggests they aren’t grasping the material as they should. Falling behind on reading and writing tasks is common for many students, but it’s especially challenging for teens with ADHD.
Teens with ADHD might rush through their assignments, skipping essential steps like reviewing their work for mistakes or organizing their thoughts clearly. They may also find it hard to focus long enough to fully comprehend the reading material or to follow through on writing assignments.
The Cause:
The root of these struggles often comes down to the increasing complexity of English assignments. As students move through middle and high school, they are expected to handle more advanced reading materials, analyze deeper themes, and write with more clarity and structure. For students with ADHD, staying focused on lengthy assignments or following multi-step instructions can feel overwhelming. They might know what they want to say but struggle to organize those thoughts on paper.
What You Can Do:
- Sit down with your teen and review their recent assignments. Look at both the grades and any feedback from the teacher to understand where they might be falling short. Discuss any patterns you notice, such as repeated issues with organization, grammar, or reading comprehension.
- Communicate with their teacher about potential supports, such as extended deadlines or more structured writing prompts.
- For teens with ADHD, breaking assignments into smaller, manageable chunks or using tools like graphic organizers can help them focus and complete tasks more effectively.
Sign #2: Difficulty Understanding Reading Material
Example:
If your teen often struggles to comprehend what they read, this could be a signal they need help in English. Maybe they repeatedly say, “I don’t get it,” or they spend too much time on reading assignments without actually finishing the work. This can be especially frustrating for both you and your child, as the material seems to get more complex with each grade level.
Teens with ADHD often skim through reading assignments, finding it hard to focus for extended periods. As a result, they may miss key details or fail to retain important information. They may also struggle with analysis of the reading and understanding the implications of complex topics and themes in books.
The Cause:
These struggles may be rooted in issues with reading fluency, vocabulary, or difficulty analyzing complex texts. As English class assignments become more demanding, it can be overwhelming to keep up, particularly for teens with ADHD who may already struggle with focus or abstract thinking.
What You Can Do:
- One solution is to encourage your teen to use audiobooks while following along with the text, which can help with focus and comprehension. There are also numerous YouTube videos with people reading texts aloud if you don’t have the audiobook.
- Breaking down reading assignments into smaller, manageable sections can also make the task less daunting. Tools like graphic organizers or visual aids can be especially helpful for ADHD teens to understand the structure of a story or passage and to track key themes or ideas.
Sign #3: Lack of Confidence in Writing
Example:
An indicator that your teen is struggling in English class could look like frustration or insecurity when it comes to writing. You might hear them say, “I don’t know what to write,” or “I’m bad at this.” They may procrastinate for hours before even starting an essay, staring at a blank screen or notebook with no idea where to begin.
Teens with ADHD often have trouble organizing their thoughts, which makes it difficult to start and complete a writing assignment. The inability to focus or stay on task long enough to outline, draft, and revise can lead to frustration and feelings of inadequacy.
The Cause:
These issues can stem from weak foundational skills in outlining, structuring arguments, or using proper grammar. Writing is a multi-step process, and students who struggle with attention or thinking clearly often find themselves stuck at the beginning or getting bogged down in the middle of the task.
What You Can Do:
- Break down writing tasks into smaller steps, such as brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and editing. This makes the process less overwhelming and helps your teen build confidence as they complete each stage.
- Visual aids, like mind maps or charts, are crucial! These can also assist in organizing ideas. If necessary, consider hiring a tutor or working with an executive function coach to help them develop stronger writing skills and strategies.
Sign #4: Procrastination or Avoidance of English Homework
Example:
Is your teen frequently putting off English homework until the last minute? They might avoid reading assignments or essays, claiming they “forgot” or have a last-minute crisis the night before an essay is due. When you ask them how they’re doing in English, they might change the subject or give vague responses like “It’s fine,” even when it’s not.
For teens with ADHD, procrastination is common due to struggles with time management and planning. Long-term assignments like essays or book reports can feel too overwhelming, leading them to push off starting until it’s almost too late.
The Cause:
Procrastination and avoidance are often the result of feeling overwhelmed by the workload or not knowing how to begin larger assignments. This can lead to a cycle of last-minute work and rushed assignments that don’t reflect your teen’s true abilities.
What You Can Do:
- Teach your teen time-management strategies, such as breaking down large assignments into smaller, daily tasks.
- Using visual schedules or assignment trackers can help teens with ADHD plan their time effectively and stay on track.
- Regularly check in with them about upcoming assignments and deadlines to ensure they’re not falling behind.
For more on developing time-management skills, check out our article on “Devleoping Daily Study Habits in Your ADHD Child”.
Sign #5: Poor Vocabulary and Grammar
Example:
Another sign your teen may need help in English is if they consistently struggle with grammar and mechanics, sentence structure, or vocabulary. Perhaps their essays are filled with grammatical errors, or they frequently misuse words in both writing and conversation. This can be a sign that they’re not fully grasping basic grammar rules or expanding their vocabulary through reading.
The Cause:
This could be due to gaps in understanding grammar rules or insufficient exposure to a wider vocabulary. In recent years, research shows that by middle and high school, grammar is no longer explicitly taught. While this is an ongoing debate, students are expected to understand and retain these foundational skills. As writing assignments become more advanced, these foundational issues can become more pronounced and affect your teen’s overall performance in English.
What You Can Do:
- Encourage your teen to read regularly, as this will expose them to new vocabulary and sentence structures.
- You can also use grammar apps or online tools to reinforce language skills in a fun, interactive way. Purchasing workbooks and dedicating time at home to practice grammar skills can also be extremely beneficial.
- Teach specific vocabulary related to the texts they’re reading, which can improve both their comprehension and expression.
Sign #6: Difficulty with Standardized Test Prep
Example:
If your teen is struggling with the reading comprehension and writing sections of standardized, state-mandated tests or exams like the SAT or ACT, this is another clear sign they may need extra support. They may find it difficult to answer comprehension questions or write clear, coherent essays within the time limits of the test.
Teens with ADHD often find it challenging to concentrate for long periods, especially during timed tests. The pressure of finishing reading passages and writing essays under strict time constraints can make it harder for them to focus and perform well.
The Cause:
Standardized tests require strong reading and writing skills as well as effective test-taking strategies. If your teen lacks these skills, they may feel overwhelmed by the test format and time pressure, which can affect their performance. Keep in mind that test-taking is a skill, and if your teen doesn’t have those skills, they might struggle on standardized tests even if they have good grades in class.
What You Can Do:
- Consider enrolling your teen in a test prep course that focuses on building English skills, particularly in reading comprehension and essay writing.
- Working with a tutor to develop time-management strategies and practice test questions can also be helpful.
- Advocate for your child and ensure they have accommodations during tests, such as extended time, which can help level the playing field and reduce test-related anxiety.
Final Thoughts
It can be tough watching your teen struggle with English class, but recognizing the signs early gives you a great chance to help them before they fall too far behind. This is especially true for teens with ADHD, who may need a bit more support with reading, writing, and focusing on assignments. But the good news is that with the right approach, your teen can absolutely improve.
Whether it’s breaking tasks into smaller steps, working with a tutor, or collaborating with their teacher for accommodations, you can give them the tools they need to feel more confident. You’re not alone in this—there are so many resources available, from online courses to extra help at school, that can make a big difference. With your support, your teen can overcome these challenges and succeed in English!
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