ADHD can make it harder for some individuals to focus and concentrate on math, but not all people with ADHD experience difficulty with math.
If you want a detailed answer, read below
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions of people around the world. While it primarily affects individuals in their ability to focus, concentrate, and remember things, it can also impact their performance in specific areas, such as math.
While not all individuals with ADHD experience difficulty with math, research has shown that there is a correlation between ADHD and math difficulties. According to a study published by the Journal of Attention Disorders, children with ADHD are at a higher risk for poor math performance and academic achievement. The study suggests that the symptoms of ADHD, such as impulsivity, distractibility, and inattention, can interfere with a child’s ability to learn math effectively.
However, it’s worth noting that not all individuals with ADHD experience this difficulty, and it’s essential to take an individualized approach when identifying and addressing learning difficulties for those with ADHD. As the ADHD Foundation notes, ‘It is important to recognize that each person is unique and has their own path to academic and life success.’
In terms of strategies for addressing math difficulties in those with ADHD, there are several approaches that can be taken. These include providing clear and structured instruction, breaking down complex problems into simpler ones, using visual aids and hands-on activities to engage learners, and providing opportunities for movement and frequent breaks.
Overall, while ADHD can make it harder for some individuals to focus and concentrate on math, it’s critical to understand that each person is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing math difficulties for those with ADHD.
Table:
| Symptoms of ADHD that can impact math performance |
|---|
| Impulsivity |
| Distractibility |
| Inattention |
Interesting facts:
- ADHD affects approximately 10% of school-aged children and 4% of adults worldwide.
- ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in males than females.
- There are three primary types of ADHD: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type, and combined type.
- ADHD is often treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
- While ADHD can present challenges, individuals with ADHD often demonstrate creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness.
Quote: “I truly believe that individuals with ADHD are in the process of evolving into a more advanced species.” – Dr. Gabor Mate, Canadian physician and author.
Video response to your question
In “Don’t Do the Wrong Thing When a Kid with ADHD is Failing Math!!!”, the speaker emphasizes the need to identify the root cause of a child’s difficulty in mathematics rather than punishing them. They suggest focusing on interventions that address the underlying problem, such as using specific techniques or language, rather than just giving more math or placing the child in special education classes. The video encourages parents to seek out resources and experts to help their child succeed in school.
Here are some more answers to your question
ADHD symptoms can make math more difficult. But ADHD can also increase your chances of having a co-occurring math learning disorder called dyscalculia. Statistics from the early 2000s (the most recent available) suggest that 31 percent of students with ADHD also have a math disability.
ADHD symptoms can make math more difficult. But ADHD can also increase your chances of having a co-occurring math learning disorder called dyscalculia.
Students who are affected by ADHD often have a hard time with math because their memory is not very strong and blocking out external stimuli is a struggle. Memory, which is where information is stored for later use, is one of many executive functions. Executive functions refer to skills such as reasoning, task switching, and planning.
Children with ADHD often struggle with math. Difficulties with sustained attention, working memory (manipulating numbers in your head), organization and planning all interfere with math learning and performance. Starting from an early age, children with ADHD struggle to memorize math facts and are prone to making errors on simple math problems.
Students with ADHD tend to have higher rates of math learning disabilities as compared to the general student population. 1 Even those students with ADHD who do not qualify for a math disability may still have a terrible time with math.
Those diagnosed with genetic ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) will at some point in their math education experience some type of difficulty. The tendency is to have more difficulty with math as time goes on. Presumably this is due to the need to understand primary concepts that build upon one another with each grade.
Learning math and performing math computations can often be a challenge for students with ADHD. Impairments in working memory, inattention, impulsiveness, disorganization, and slower processing speed can all contribute to weaknesses in math. 1
For people experiencing ADHD symptoms and dyscalculia, recalling math facts and simple arithmetic formulas can be a real challenge. 😭 It can cause a lot of test anxiety and performance issues in school. Even just the simple act of shopping or doing grocery shopping can be a nightmare because you have to calculate the change correctly.
I failed Algebra 1 freshman year of high school. Then summer school with a help of a private tutor I still got a D. Things started making sense though. But sophmore year, I finished Algebra 1 without issues.
From that point on math became my bitch. The logic just made sense. Professor for Algebra 2 didn’t speak good english, so I went to the Library and pretty much did it myself.
Statistics was interesting enough that it expanded my overall thinking.
Finite math was such a cakewalk that I didn’t attend lecture and ended up getting a D. I got cocky, and didn’t turn in my homework. But nailed it next semester.
I had no idea I had ADHD until after I got my degree.
To answer your question, We can be “good at math”. Just like we can be good with anything.
Math is my bitch even though we had our differences.
Furthermore, people ask
How can ADHD affect maths?
In reply to that: Because the ADHD brain habituates to stimuli very quickly, it can be difficult to maintain attention to repetitive tasks, like, say, practicing math facts. In fact, kids with ADHD sometimes get less accurate the better they have their facts memorized.
What subjects do ADHD struggle with?
Struggles with reading, writing, and math are common among students with ADHD. Use these strategies and tools to help your child overcome these and other learning challenges in core school subjects.
People also ask, Do people with ADHD struggle academically?
Children with ADHD are at increased risk of lower scores on reading and arithmetic achievement tests, lower grade point average (GPA), grade repetition and placement in special education classes compared to controls.
Can ADHD cause math anxiety?
Response will be: Children with ADHD symptoms are at higher risk for math difficulties compared to their neurotypical peers. They may not understand quantities or concepts like biggest vs. smallest or effectively apply principles to solve math problems.
Also question is, Is math a problem for students with ADHD? Learning math and performing math computations can often be a challenge for students with ADHD. Impairments in working memory , inattention, impulsiveness, disorganization, and slower processing speed can all contribute to weaknesses in math. 1
Simply so, Why do kids with ADHD get less accurate if they memorize facts? The reply will be: Because the ADHD brain habituates to stimuli very quickly, it can be difficult to maintain attention to repetitive tasks, like, say, practicing math facts. In fact, kids with ADHD sometimes get less accurate the better they have their facts memorized. Why? At first the memorization is challenging and keeps their brain engaged.
In this manner, How does ADHD affect working memory? The response is: Working memory impairments (common for students with ADHD) can impede a student’s ability to do this. Deficits in working memory make it hard for a student to hold information in mind and keep track of that information while performing the multiple steps involved in many math computations. 2
Do children with ADHD have a learning disability? A student who struggles to find or verbalize words will have trouble with this internal support. Nearly a third of children with ADHD also have a math learning disability, and 25% of children with MLD have ADHD. We know that ADHD is marked primarily by deficits in the domain-general area of executive functioning.
Thereof, Do kids with ADHD struggle with math? Kids with ADHD aren’t the only ones who struggle with math, but challenges with working memory and sustained attention can make a tough subject even tougher. Help them improve math skills — and gain confidence — with these simple tricks for parents and teachers alike.
Accordingly, Why do kids with ADHD get less accurate if they memorize facts? The response is: Because the ADHD brain habituates to stimuli very quickly, it can be difficult to maintain attention to repetitive tasks, like, say, practicing math facts. In fact, kids with ADHD sometimes get less accurate the better they have their facts memorized. Why? At first the memorization is challenging and keeps their brain engaged.
Consequently, How does ADHD affect multiplication?
The reply will be: But ADHD can make it difficult to determine the most relevant information for the problem at hand. As you begin to answer multiplication questions, you may still have the division rules floating around in your mind. This distraction can make it hard to remember you’ve moved on to a different type of problem.
Just so, Do ADHD symptoms make it more difficult to do? Answer will be: ADHD symptoms can make it more difficult to: If you have ADHD, you may find your academic performance consistently falls short of what you know you can do. This can feel frustrating, absolutely, but know that it’s not your fault. ADHD is a mental health condition, not a sign of your work ethic or intelligence.