Today’s frequently asked question: “What’s the best curriculum for ADHD?” Dyslexia? Aspergers?

Truthfully, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all curriculum for kids with ADHD. Kids with ADHD vary widely in their learning preferences and cognitive needs. SO, determining What’s the Best Curriculum for ADHD, is not as easy as it may seem.

Generally speaking, kids with ADHD tend to be hands-on and visual learners. They are typically not auditory learners. That’s just a generality though. Any individual child can have any learning style.

As a general options for programs, I have audio-visual programs listed at: learningabledkids.com/home_school_info/best-homeschool-curriculum-adhd-dyslexia.htm. Those programs tend to be great for kids who love working on computers.

The best way to choose curriculum for ADHD, dyslexia, and Aspergers:

Creating excellent learning progress for your child requires individualized instruction based on your child’s learning style. You also need to look at your child’s cognitive and learning strengths. And consider his cognitive and learning weaknesses.

Once your child’s learning needs are understood, you can select curricula to meet your child’s individual needs. Picking curricula this way is your best bet for awesome academic progress.

As an example, let’s say your child has a strong visual memory, visual processing that functions well. Let’s say he also has a visual learning style. If this is so, then using image-rich learning programs will be the best way to teach your child.

First, figure out your child’s learning style. Then pick programs to match that. If you do this, it will almost always improve a child’s learning. You can find info on learning styles in our “Learning Styles” section.

How to get the information you need to pick the best curriculum:

I often tell parents that a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is the only reliable way to know what your child needs. The evaluation data can help you pick curricula for your child. You could make educated guesses on behalf of your child. While guesses are often “good enough” to provide better progress, your child’s learning won’t be at it’s best.

Helping your child make excellent learning progress requires knowing what forms of cognitive enhancement your child needs. For example, he may need memory, processing speed, perception, etc. work to improve his learning ability. Identifying needed therapies (PT, OT, SLP, Vision Therapy, etc.) can help a lot too. You also need to know which core academic skills need work for mastery and fluency. Working to improve each area of learning difficulty will help your child with overall learning progress.

When programs are put into place to address ALL cognitive deficits, core academic skills, therapy needs, etc., then your child will make the best possible learning progress.

So, answering the question, “What’s the Best Curriculum for ADHD? Dyslexia? Aspergers?” in an incoming email is all but impossible for me (or anyone) to answer.

Knowing your child’s learning style and having comprehensive evaluation data to work from is the only reliable way to determine “What’s the Best Curriculum for ADHD?.. Dyslexia?.. Aspergers?” for YOUR child.