Introduction 

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can conjure up a variety of different images, few of which seem favourable to study. While ADHD can come with a range of difficulties specific to revision, there are also many strengths to draw from to support your child in achieving their best. While some may be mistaken in thinking ADHD is a newly described disorder, ADHD was first described by Alexander Crichton II in 1798. [1] 

Before we can properly support children with ADHD to achieve, we must first understand what challenges they may face. Since 2000 the DSM has split ADHD into three subtypes: combined type, predominantly inattentive type (formerly ADD) and predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type. [2]

• Inattentive ADHD can be summarised as difficulty sustaining attention, being easily distracted and forgetting everyday tasks.
• Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD can be summarised as having high energy levels, fidgeting, feeling restless (internal or external) and/or moving around at inappropriate times and finding it hard to wait their turn/interrupting conversations.
• Combined ADHD will have symptoms across both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive. [3]

Each child will face their own unique set of symptoms and challenges around ADHD, meaning not all the suggestions in this article may be of use, however, a wide variety of techniques is going to give each child the best opportunity to achieve.

Improving Focus 

Sustaining attention or lack of focus could be considered a hallmark of ADHD. While the disorder is called “attention deficit” it could be better described as an “excess of attention”. ADHD students don’t struggle to focus because they lack attention; it is more accurate to say they lack the ability to control their focus.

 While it might seem counterintuitive, having background noise or visual distraction may help. [4] This could be in the form of a familiar TV show playing, music, especially non-lyrical, anything that can provide a brown or pink noise. These are useful to block out the irrelevant sounds, something people with ADHD can find difficult. This in turn can create a more calming environment, something ADHDers can lack within their mind. [5] While background noise can be helpful for revision, “high focus” distractions can be detrimental to focus, especially for those with ADHD. These include things like smartphones, social media and unfamiliar TV shows. [4] 

Another effective method is the “Pomodoro Technique”. [6] The pomodoro method is used to break down work into intervals. For this method, your child will need a timer (preferably not a mobile phone). The timer is set for 25 minutes. During this time, your child focuses on one specific task, for example completing an English essay. Once the 25 minutes is up, they then get 5 minutes to rest and allow their focus to wander. You might need to experiment with your child to find the amount of time that works best as some may find 25 minutes is not long enough or it could be too long, especially for younger children.

The Pomodoro method helps on multiple fronts. It stops any distractions such as “Should I take a break now?” “I just need to reply to this message” etc. It also ensures your child isn’t trying to switch focus constantly, a task that is very difficult for those with ADHD and can become very tiring. It also stops hyper-focus, which could lead to your child spending longer than necessary on a task. An additional benefit is that by splitting the task of revision into short timeframes, it is much less overwhelming to get started and reduces the chance of opting for something more instantly gratifying.

One-to-one tutoring is a powerful tool in supporting students with ADHD. In a class of 30+ students, it isn’t possible for a teacher to ensure that your child is always focused on the correct task. With a private tutor, they don’t have to worry about 30 other students, just your child, meaning they are able to ensure your child is focused 100% of the session. There are also more resources available for an online tutor compared to the traditional classroom, ensuring your child is more likely to be stimulated and focused. [7]

Time Management and Organisation 

There are likely to be very few parents of ADHD children who haven’t experienced the difficulty of time management and organisation.

Whether it’s a lost coat or the last-minute rush to complete a class project, these are two areas that go together for most people with ADHD. People with ADHD have difficulty with time management because they don’t experience time the same as non-ADHDers. Part of this is time blindness.

Time blindness refers to the inability to sense how much time has passed as well as being able to estimate the time needed to get something done. [8] There are many strategies that can be used to support your ADHDer. The previously mentioned strategy of Pomodoro technique can help with time management, giving a set amount of time for a task. Breaking the tasks down into smaller tasks can help, along with giving smaller deadlines for the different parts as it gives your ADHDer more guidance. 

Motivation  

Many parents of ADHDers will be perplexed at their child’s ability to hyperfocus on an area of special interest for hours at a time while simultaneously being unable to focus for more than a minute on their very important homework. It would be easy to assume the child is choosing not to complete tasks because they don’t want to, but neuroscience shows, it's all in the brain.

There appear to be multiple factors as to why someone with ADHD may struggle to stay motivated. There is evidence of a disruption of dopamine in the brain (the “reward hormone”). The ADHD brain also seems to favour tasks that offer novelty and stimulation over repetitive and boring tasks. Lastly, those with ADHD tend to get overwhelmed when organising lots of information. [9]

Help your child with ADHD by breaking tasks into smaller goals. For someone with ADHD, a big project with multiple tasks can seem overwhelming. [10] For example, if your child has a test, simply telling them to revise is too complex. Instead, if they were looking at the Reformation, have them focus on key events, then key figures, dates, causes and consequences. 

Using rewards can be a sure-fire way to motivate those with ADHD. Research shows people with ADHD tend to have lower levels of dopamine, which is associated with the brain’s reward system and motivation. Using a mixture of small and larger goals can help motivate. Examples could be a chocolate bar after 30 minutes of work or a fun day out after completing an ongoing project. Using rewards can help mimic the dopamine hit neurotypicals experience during an unexciting task. [11]

Online tutoring can be an important tool in helping to motivate your ADHDer. An average class has almost 28 students. [12] With the equivalent of 2 minutes per student, a teacher in a traditional classroom setting is unable to fully motivate their students in the same way as a one-on-one tutor. An online tutor is able to adapt the lesson to suit your child’s interest as well as provide more positive feedback and celebrate achievements, as they have the whole session dedicated to just one student.

Tutors are in a better position to understand what exactly motivates your child, as they will have far fewer students they are working with. Online tutoring is also more likely to be able to provide a more consistent schedule than in school, with countless distractions within the classroom, but not at home. [13] 

ADHD Benefits 

Looking at the list of symptoms of ADHD, it could be easy to assume there are only downsides. However, there are many positives to ADHD and utilising these will help your child excel in schooling and beyond.

Hyperfocus 

While people with ADHD may struggle with focus, hyperfocus can be a huge benefit. Hyperfocus is an intense and prolonged state of focused attention, while in a hyperfocus, an ADHDer is able to completely block out the world around them. The benefits of hyperfocus are increased productivity, greater resourcefulness, higher motivation and engagement, and enhanced learning and memory retention. [14] If a student is able to utilise hyperfocus, there is a marked improvement in revision. 

Resilience and Adaptability 

Students with ADHD are perceived to be more resilient than students without. Living with ADHD comes with a lot of challenges, resulting in individuals with ADHD developing resilience and adaptability skills. [15] This helps students' revision in allowing them to move on from previous poor results easier than other students and enables them to adapt their revision techniques much easier. 

Creativity 

The brain of an ADHDer is different at a fundamental level. This results in ADHDers being highly creative. Those with ADHD are more likely to “think outside the box,” and come up with novel ideas. [16] Through creativity, students are able to revise in an unconventional way that will build their focus and help increase the likelihood of remembering. 

Energetic 

No parent of an ADHDer needs to be told about the seemingly unending well of energy that their child has. While this may cause difficulties at times, it also has its positives in ADHD. [17] Individuals with ADHD are able to utilise this extra energy towards their study. If they are able to harness the energy, it can drive productivity.  

Conclusion 

While ADHD may sometimes feel like a myriad of barriers standing in the way of your child’s success during revision, a wide range of techniques and utilising your child’s strengths can result in huge successes. Experiment with a variety of strategies such as breaking tasks into smaller chunks, the Pomodoro Technique and online tutoring to help your child achieve their best in revision. 

References 

1. Aleander Crichton: An inquiry into the nature and origin of mental derangement: comprehending a concise system of the physiology and pathology of the human mind and a history of the passions and their effects. 1798 
2. The History of ADHD: A Timeline. Kimberly Holland, August 30, 2024, 
3. ADHD in children and young people, NHS, 19th March 2025
4. ADHD revision tips from students, Birmingham city, 27th February
5. Söderlund, G., Sikström, S. and Smart, A. (2007), Listen to the noise: noise is beneficial for cognitive performance in ADHD. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48: 840-847
6. Focus and Organization. ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) August 30, 2023
7. ADHD & Online Tuition – The Perfect Match? Finnbar, Sherpa Online, 16th October 
8. ADHD Time Blindness: How to Detect It & Regain Control Over Time, ADDA, March 20, 2025
9. ADHD and Motivation: 10 Productive Hacks for Adults with ADHD, ADDA Editorial Team, ADDA, 17th October 2022
10. ADHD-Friendly Revision Tips for GCSE Success, Clarie’s Notes, December 2024
11. ADHD and Motivation, Think ADHD
12. Schools, pupils and their characteristics, Gov.uk, June 2024, UK Government
13. How Online Tutors Can Support Students with ADHD, tutor bright, June 2024
14. ADHD Hyperfocus: The Secret Weapon To Unleashing Productivity and Creativity, ADDA Editorial team, January 2025
15. Strengths in People with ADHD, ADHD Direct
16. The Creativity of ADHD, Holly White, March 2019, Scientific American 
17. 6 strengths and benefits of ADHD, Zia Sherrell, Medical News Today, July 2021