Get ADHD Assessment & Multisensory Learning Support in Belmore.
Learning with ADHD & ADD.
Whom does ADHD impact?
Did you know that ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders? It’s usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood, however, there is an increasing number of adults being diagnosed whose symptoms were missed or overlooked as children.
Whilst it’s typical for young children to experience occasional challenges with focus and behaviour, children with ADHD do not simply outgrow it – the symptoms persist as they get older. The symptoms can be considered severe and often lead to difficulties in school, at home, and in social interactions with peers.
Understanding ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), more commonly known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), affects someone’s ability to prioritise, process, integrate, organise, and recall information when needed. It also affects a person’s ability to notice the passage of time.
ADHD can be diagnosed in different variants. The hyperactive type makes it difficult for individuals to stay still, avoid fidgeting, or resist the urge to be easily distracted. The inattentive type, however, is characterised by behaviours such as daydreaming, staring into space, or experiencing lapses in concentration. This variant is often overlooked and can sometimes be mistaken for mild epileptic seizures. Parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals commonly miss the signs of inattentive ADHD. Lastly, there is a third subtype known as mixed-type ADHD, in which individuals exhibit both hyperactive and inattentive symptoms.
The treatment of ADHD often involves the use of stimulant medication, which can be highly effective. However, it is essential to recognise that medication does not offer a complete solution for all the difficulties experienced by individuals with ADHD.
Exploring the multisensory approach to learning for ADHD & ADD.
Students with ADHD find it difficult to learn in a standard classroom environment. We have found that the multisensory approach helps students with their written expression as the physical manipulation of ideas makes it easier to organise and retain complex material. We have used this approach for high school and tertiary students.
Incorporating movement, utilising various coloured cards, engaging in oral expression rather than solely relying on silent reading and writing, and dividing tasks into smaller segments are among the tools and conceptual frameworks that have proven effective for supporting students with ADHD.
The foundation of our approach lies in multisensory learning, which utilises movement, touch, sight, hearing, and speech to strengthen learning and actively involves students. We tailor our lessons to suit individual attention spans and incorporate breaks while remaining flexible in extending student engagement and being sensitive to changing interests and moods.
Students with ADHD may experience a sense of perpetual failure and disengagement from challenges due to their past encounters. We are mindful of their emotional struggles and aim to ensure that each session is a positive and empowering experience for them.
Multisensory Therapy and Tutoring for ADHD & ADD
It is common for parents of children with ADHD and adults with the condition to seek tutoring to address learning gaps. However, some students have spent a considerable amount of time attending conventional tutoring services without experiencing notable progress. This is where the individual therapeutic approach of Neurosensory can provide assistance.
Practical strategies in the auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic (movement/touch) pathways are utilised in the multisensory approach to enhance learning.
In what ways do our MSL tutors assist students with ADHD?
It is recommended that they:
- Embrace the virtue of patience.
- Build revision into every session .
- Be flexible with the amount of work and break the learning tasks into small chunks .
- Employ diverse presentation techniques and engage students with games to capture attention .
- Use movement throughout the session so no one is sitting for the whole time .
- Uphold consistent expectations and guidelines .
- Create and maintain a positive learning atmosphere .
- Never scold students when their attention wanders .
- Keep track of student progress and acknowledge accomplishments with rewards .
- Recognise when it’s time to transition to another task .
ADHD Tutoring Options.
At Neurosensory, we provide two options for ADHD tutoring, allowing primary, secondary, and university students, as well as individuals beyond these levels, to avail themselves of our support services.
Tutoring Sessions in a Physical Setting.
In the case of in-person tutoring, sessions take place in a controlled learning environment, akin to a physical classroom, where distractions are minimised. Additionally, the in-person interaction aids students with ADHD in developing social skills and engaging with their peers.
Remote ADHD Tutoring.
Online tutoring allows students to access help from wherever they are, whether they live outside of Belmore or have difficulties with transportation. It can also allow for more flexibility around school and social commitments, as we tend to lead busy lives.
If you or a loved one is seeking learning assistance following an ADHD diagnosis, our dedicated ADHD tutors are available and prepared to offer their expertise.
Assessing ADHD & ADD in Individuals of All Ages.
Currently, there are no medical tests available for diagnosing ADHD. Diagnosis is based on the observation of behavioural symptoms. In children, a diagnosis requires the presence of at least six symptoms from either or both variants of ADHD, whereas older adolescents and adults must exhibit at least five symptoms. It is also necessary for the symptoms to have started before the age of 12 and persisted for a minimum of six months.
Neurosensory provides recognised screening assessments and can supply letters of recommendation to identify individuals who may be dealing with ADHD. After conducting our initial assessment, we can guide them towards appropriate healthcare providers for an official diagnosis and any necessary clinical treatment.
It is important to emphasise that only medical and psychological professionals are qualified to provide a formal diagnosis.
FAQs
If you have concerns about your own or a loved one’s behaviour, scheduling an initial consultation with your GP is recommended. They can refer you or your child to a paediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist for an ADHD diagnosis. Alternatively, you have the option to book a child or adult ADHD assessment with us at Neurosensory, and we can assist in referring you to the appropriate provider for a diagnosis, if necessary.
When undergoing a child or adult ADHD assessment, you might be asked to participate in:
- Engaging in interviews (with yourself, your child, and/or with other primary caregivers of your child if relevant)
- Checklists for assessing behaviour
- Developmental, learning, educational, and/or IQ checks
- Language, speech, and movement checks
Indeed, many individuals discover that obtaining a formal diagnosis assists them in understanding their life and the reasons behind their behaviours. It can also empower them to develop an effective treatment plan, leading to transformative changes in various aspects of their lives.
Although most children are not typically evaluated for ADHD until they enter school, it is worth mentioning that diagnosis can occur as early as four years old. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in establishing the right support systems to enable children to thrive academically.
Certainly, provided that the tutor has prior experience working with students who have ADHD. Tutoring can have a significant positive effect on school performance by providing students with the necessary tools for academic success, while also reducing the perceived difficulty of attention and organisational challenges.
Individuals with ADHD thrive in learning environments that provide simple and structured instructions, utilise props and visual aids, vary the pace of lessons, and incorporate diverse activities. The multisensory approach is particularly valuable for individuals with ADHD as it harnesses movement, touch, sight, hearing, and speech to reinforce the skills being taught.
The Orton-Gillingham multisensory approach helps those with: Autism/ASD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Reading remediation (students without a learning disorder), Generalised learning disorders, Maths, and ESL.
Based in Campsie, we are just around the corner from Belfield, Belmore, Ashbury, Canterbury, Croydon Park, Clemton Park, Earlwood, Ashfield and Hurlstone Park.
Increasing Sensory Engagement for Individuals with ADHD.
Are you more inclined towards visual learning? Auditory learning? Tactile learning? Or perhaps kinesthetic learning?
Individuals with ADHD are known to be diverse learners, and what may be effective for one person may not necessarily work for another. Multisensory learning is crucial for engaging these learners, as it allows our tutors to integrate multiple sensory modalities to enhance skill development and retention.
Accessing NDIS Funding for ADHD & ADD.
Unfortunately, a diagnosis of a child or adult ADHD alone currently does not satisfy the requirements for a successful NDIS application. However, ADHD may be considered as an additional element in formulating NDIS plans for those with a diagnosis such as Autism or Intellectual Delay.
Are you open to exploring the world of multisensory learning?
At Neurosensory, our team is dedicated to helping children and adults with ADHD excel academically. Whether you are seeking an assessment for a loved one or looking for an MSL tutor to provide support, we are here to offer our assistance.