A Slightly Chaotic Parents Guide to ADHD Learning Strategies That Actually Work ✅
- Susan Ardila
- Aug 2
- 6 min read
Greetings, fellow inhabitants of the ADHD universe!
I’m your friendly ADHD tour guide—a well‑educated blogger and lifelong ADHDer who has turned managing chaos into an art form. My brain? A constant pinball machine. Thoughts bouncing everywhere, sometimes hitting jackpots, sometimes disappearing down the drain.
But here’s the thing: ADHD doesn’t have to be all frustration and forgotten laundry cycles (been there, rewashing the same load for the third time). With the right ADHD learning strategies, our kids can thrive in school—and yes, even love learning.
Buckle up, because if there's one thing we ADHDers are good at, it's taking our audience on a wild ride!
What ADHD Really Is (and Isn’t)
Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition defined by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. I like to call it “Amazingly Dynamic, Highly Distracted.”
ADHD is not laziness. It’s not bad parenting. It’s not an excuse. It’s a brain that’s wired differently—a brain that loves novelty, thrives on interest‑based motivation, and tends to process the world at 2x speed with 12x the tangents.
The Many Shades of ADHD
ADHD shows up in a few different “flavors”:
Inattentive type – Daydreamer, forgetter of homework, wanderer of thoughts.
Hyperactive‑impulsive type – Talker, fidgeter, doer of 12 things at once.
Combined type – A little bit of everything all at the same time.
As an ADHDer myself, I've seen these symptoms play out in my life in amusing ways. For example, while writing this post, I've had about 57 tabs open in my browser, forgot about laundry that I started way earlier so I had to rewash it (wait, did I even press start), and got sidetracked by a fascinating documentary about honeybees. And that's just a Tuesday! I can't even tell you how many times I've walked in a room just to forget why I walked in the room and then remember as soon as I walk out of the room...for the third time!
Common Questions Parents Ask
“Is ADHD just an excuse for bad behavior?”
No. Absolutely not. ADHD is a real medical condition based on brain structure and chemistry. It’s an explanation—not an excuse.
“How is ADHD diagnosed?”
Through a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider—interviews, questionnaires, sometimes school input. It’s like a talent show where the “talent” is blurting answers, forgetting directions, and climbing the proverbial walls.
“Is there a cure for ADHD?”
There isn't a "cure" per se—but there are effective ADHD learning strategies and treatments that can help kids succeed. That may include medication, therapy, coaching, educational support, and building strong executive function skills. It's about managing symptoms, not eradicating them. After all, who would want to get rid of our superpower of doing everything at once... poorly?
ADHD Learning Strategies That Actually Work
After years as an Educational Clinician and math tutor, I’ve learned that kids with ADHD learn best when we:
✅ Chunk big concepts into smaller steps – Instead of dumping the whole textbook on them, break down lessons like building with LEGO bricks.
✅ Make it multisensory – Use visuals, movement, hands‑on tools (LEGOs for fractions? Yes, please), and color‑coded steps to make learning stick.
✅ Use time as a tool, not a threat – Timers, visual schedules, and short bursts of focus time can make “getting started” way less painful.
✅ Give immediate feedback – Trial and error isn’t failure—it’s learning in real time.
✅ Leverage interests – Math facts become way more fun when tied to Pokémon cards or baking cookies.
ADHD brains thrive with strategies that keep them engaged, structured, and motivated.
Action Steps for Parents
Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power. The more you understand ADHD, the better equipped you'll be to support your child.
Find your child’s dream team – Healthcare providers, educational therapists, teachers who “get it.”
Create structure – Routines, visual schedules, and clear expectations = less overwhelm.
Celebrate small wins – ADHD kids need to feel capable, not constantly corrected.
Focus on strengths – Many ADHDers shine in creativity, problem‑solving, and hyperfocus.
Need personalized support for your child? Book a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs.
Free ADHD Homework Survival Pack for Parents
ADHD brains thrive on structure you can see and strategies that actually work—especially during homework time. That’s why I created the ADHD Homework Survival Pack to help make evenings calmer, more productive, and way less stressful.
Inside, you’ll get:
✅ Quick Time Management Tips for a Calmer Homework Routine – Simple strategies to cut down on battles and get kids started faster.
✅ Example After-School Homework Schedules for Different Households – Realistic schedules you can copy or tweak to fit your family’s life.
✅ Math Homework Planner (Blank Pages You Can Fill In) – Helps kids break assignments into smaller, ADHD-friendly chunks they can actually finish.
These resources work together to create structure, reduce stress, and help your child build focus and independence—without constant nagging.
👉 Grab your free ADHD Homework Survival Pack and make homework time a whole lot easier.
ADHD and Educational Therapy
As an Educational Clinician, I've seen firsthand how educational therapy can transform the learning experience for children with ADHD. In subjects like mathematics and Advanced Physics (yes, we do tackle the big stuff), I use tailored strategies that accommodate each child's unique learning needs.
I break down complex concepts into manageable chunks (imagine explaining quantum mechanics using LEGO bricks), teach time management skills (because "now" and "not now" aren't the only times that exist), and provide immediate feedback (we're big fans of the 'try, fail, learn, try again' approach).
At MindBridge Math Mastery, we specialize in multisensory math tutoring for students with ADHD and dyscalculia.
My Favorite ADHD Learning Strategies for Math Success
Helping kids with ADHD succeed in math means meeting them where they are:
✨ Hands‑On Learning – Fractions with LEGOs, multiplication with movement, decimals with money activities.
✨ Color‑Coding Steps – Breaking down multi‑step problems visually so kids don’t get lost halfway.
✨ Timers and Checklists – Turning 30‑minute study sessions into short bursts of success.
✨ Real‑Life Math – Baking, budgeting, building—showing how math matters in the real world.
When kids learn in ways that make sense to their brains, they don’t just get better at math—they gain confidence that lasts far beyond homework.
Want to learn more ways to make math click for your child? Check out my post on the top 10 multisensory toold that actually work.
What ADHD Wins Look Like in Real Life
Here are just a few ways the right ADHD learning strategies changed my students’ lives:
💡 “Jacob” used to cry over homework every night. After we set up a timer system and broke assignments into 5‑minute tasks, he now finishes his homework in 30 minutes instead of two hours.
💡 “Ella” couldn’t memorize her multiplication facts. By turning practice into a beanbag toss game and color‑coding tricky numbers, she passed her first timed quiz—and was proud of herself for the first time ever.
💡 “Max” constantly lost assignments. After setting up a color‑coded Google Calendar and simple checklists, he now checks his deadlines independently (and even reminds his parents of events).
These stories happen because learning strategies aren’t one‑size‑fits‑all—they’re individualized, engaging, and ADHD‑friendly.
Final Thoughts
Parenting a child with ADHD is like trying to blend a smoothie with no lid—it’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes loud. But it can also be amazing, full of creativity, passion, and brilliance.
With patience, humor, structure, and the right ADHD learning strategies, your child can absolutely thrive. You’ve got this—and I’m here to help.
My Favorite ADHD Resources for Parents
📚 Books
Driven to Distraction by Dr. Edward Hallowell
ADHD 2.0 by Dr. Edward Hallowell & Dr. John Ratey
The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene
🎧 Podcasts
ADHD Experts Podcast (ADDitude)
ADHD for Smart A** Women (Tracy Otsuka)
Tilt Parenting
🌐 Websites & Organizations
ADDitude Magazine
Want More Support?
📌 Book a consultation to get a customized plan for your child’s learning success.
📌 About the Author
Ms. Susan is a Certified Teacher and Educational Clinician with over 12 years of experience helping neurodiverse students thrive in math and academics. As the founder of MindBridge Math Mastery, she specializes in multisensory math instruction, ADHD and executive function coaching, and creating individualized strategies that make learning click. With a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a lifelong personal experience with ADHD, she knows firsthand how to turn chaos into confidence—one student at a time.
📚 Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is ADHD?
National Institute of Mental Health. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
American Psychiatric Association. What is ADHD?
Johns Hopkins Medicine. ADHD in Children
WebMD. ADHD in Children: Symptoms, Types, and Treatment
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