ADHD – There’s an Accommodation for That

ADHD – There’s an Accommodation For That

It’s no secret or surprise – our children with ADHD or learning disabilities are going to need accommodations within their home and school environment. Although some may argue that we are not preparing our children for ‘the real world’, it’s important to give our children the space and time to gain the skills they will need in the future. These skills we often reference are really executive functioning skills, confidence and the ability to self-regulate in disguise.

What is Your Child’s Learning Style?
First things first, how does your child processes information most naturally? There are two general learning styles: visual spatial and auditory sequential.
Visual Spatial Learning Style
This learning style is commonly seen in children with ADHD or a learning disability.  In essence, this is the type of learner who thinks in pictures, not words.  For example, if I said the word ‘bike’, the visual spatial learner would imagine a picture of a bike. This is also the type of learner that thinks in big picture terms. Instead of following the sequence of one detail after another in order to reach the big picture, this is the type of learner who sees the big picture first, and then needs help breaking down that big picture into its details.  In fact, details are a bit treacherous and boring.

Auditory Sequential Learning Style
This learning style is best characterized by the student who thinks in words. Again, if I said the word ‘bike’, this type of learner would envision the letters, ‘b-i-k-e’. This child with this learning style is an auditory learner that is in tune with the details and is able to build on the details until the big picture is gained. That is, this is the step-by-step learner who is analytical and attends well to details.

By understanding your child’s learning style, you will be able to direct your teacher how your child learns best, and to also use the types of strategies that are best suited to your child’s needs at home. For example, for the visual spatial learner, note cards are boring and a horrible waste of time. Instead, draw diagrams, watch a video, or discuss how the concept works. Color, songs and music are also great ways to help your child to learn new information that can be overwhelming or tedious.
Organizational Strategies
At home and at school, because our children don’t process the details of how to maintain an organizational system, we have to use their visual spatial tendencies to help them stay organized.

Share these strategies with your child’s teacher and create a supportive plan for your child. You can also use these strategies at home:

  • Break down a multi-step task into 1-2 steps at a time
  • Color code notebooks and folders for each subject so that your child isn’t processing the word ‘M-a-t-h’ but rather the color red, for example
  • Set a timer for a homework assignment and work against the timer. This will take a task that can feel endless and give it a time limit.. and an end.  
  • Create a visual depiction (aka graphic organizer) for a writing assignment using the ice cream, hamburger, or spider.
  • Post reminders or information to be remembered (e.g., pack lunch) on a post-it note and put it in a place that your child will definitely pass or look at in the morning.
  • Take pictures of your child doing the activity, step by step, and use that to guide the morning or bedtime routine.
  • Go through your child’s backpack once a month to take out the extra ‘stuff’ that’s hanging out without use
  • Place your child’s desk in a corner between two walls, away from windows and doors. Keep the surface empty. Place all materials in bins in the drawers. 


Time for a Sensory Break!
Is your child sensory seeking or are they under stimulated? The need or avoidance of sensory input can lead to poor focus and distraction, as well as restlessness and fidgetiness.  Consult with your school or private Occupational Therapist (OT) to gain an understanding of your child’s sensory profile. Use those sensory strategies both at home and in the classroom:

  • Add Kinetic sand into a bin and have your child explore and play.
  • Use flexible seating in the home, yoga balls and bean bag chairs instead of traditional chairs.
  • Chewing gum for calming and concentration
  • Silly putty for hand strengthening
  • Wall push ups
  • Jumping jacks
  • Deep breathing


By understanding your child’s strengths and how he processes the world, you and your teacher will be better able to reach your child at home and in school with less resistance and greater ease.

by Chrissy Sunberg, M.Ed., AAC
"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
- Julie C.
"Dr. Matheis has a remarkable ability to understand the unique needs of her patients and address them constructively. She builds strong, meaningful relationships with patients and their families, encouraging trust and collaboration. When working with my son who struggles with autism-related anxiety, she created an environment in which he was able to calm down and open up to her in ways I had not seen before. She was able to reach him and helped him work through his crisis/problem. Most importantly, she empowered him to move forward."
- N.L.
"Dr. Matheis is amazing. She has tremendous resources and loads of energy. She is not willing to accept anything less than the most effective results for her clients. She made me feel as if my son was her top priority throughout the entire process. I would, without reservation, give her my highest recommendations.  Thank you, Dr. Matheis!"
- Anonymous
"Dr. Matheis has an amazing ability to read kids and connect with them. She has been an invaluable resource for our family over the past several years and has helped us with everything from educational consulting, to uncovering diagnoses as well as family therapy. Working with Dr. Matheis never feels clinical and most importantly, our children love and trust her. We can not thank you enough Dr. Liz!"
- Anonymous
"My teenage son had been seeing Dr. Matheis through his senior year of high school, as he was only diagnosed with ADHD at 16 years old.  Dr. Matheis came highly recommended from our pediatrician and she has done wonders for our son as well as our family, navigating new ways for him to deal with his diagnosis without the use of medication.  She taught him ways to organize himself and even when something did not work for him, she patiently continued teaching him new ways to keep himself on track.  She has also helped us as parents to understand how his mind works so that we did not continue to blame his lack of focus on him, rather on his unique way of thinking.  Thank you Dr. Matheis!!!!"
- LG
"Dr. Liz is the best! Our family was directed to her by our Pediatrician to assist with figuring out severe mood changes, severe anxiety, strange new fears and food aversion that had come onto one of our children literally overnight. After just a couple of visits, she suggested that the issues may actually be rooted in a physical issue and suggested we immediately take our child to be swabbed for strep, because Dr. Liz suspected PANDAS (a pediatric autoimmune disorder brought on by strep). The same Pediatrician that suggested Dr. Liz would not do the swab (they do not believe in PANDAS and we no longer go there) but I took my child to my doctor who did the swab and it was positive for strep. When our child went on antibiotics, within 24 hours all symptoms went away and our child was back :-) Dr. Liz then recommended a PANDAS specialist who helped us and our child is in complete remission and is happy and healthy. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Liz for her knowledge of all things, even the most remote and unusual and for helping us so much! Thank you!"
- Anonymous
"The various psycho-educational testing Dr. Liz conducted on our son gave us critical clues about where his learning strengths and weaknesses lie so that his needs could be better addressed at home and school. Moreover, because of their warm, kindhearted personalities, both Dr. Liz and her associate, Stephanie, formed an immediate bond with my son. He eagerly looks forward to his weekly therapy sessions. We are so lucky Dr. Liz came into our family's lives when she did! For stressed-out families trying to help their children as best they can, she is a calming voice of reason!"
- Anonymous
"Thank you, Dr. Liz. Although we have told you countless times, it will never feel enough. You have listened when J could barely speak and continued to listen when he was sad, angry and confused. You've challenged him and directed us in our roles as parents. You've helped J face his fears while the list evolved and changed, and yet you've stayed committed to 'the course.' We pray that your children realize that time away from them is spent helping children learn and that vulnerability is a sign of strength and bravery."
- June I
"My son was admitted to an Ivy League school when only 2 years ago, you assessed him and saw his struggles, his Dyslexia. We are grateful that he no longer has to carry that deep feeling of inadequacy or shame that must have kept him so self conscious and from reaching his potential. He has the PERFECT program for him. He has A's in high math and economics. He became a Merit Scholar, a Boys State legislature, the HEAD captain of the football team and help a job ALL while studying and managing his classes and disability. I am PROUD of you, a young doctor, who knows and sees the vulnerability of children and helps them recognize "it's NO big deal" God bless."
- Anonymous

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