The importance of planners in ADHD

Adolescents with ADHD often find planning very difficult. Planning is an important skill for organizing activities and achieving goals, especially as teenagers gain more independence. As they grow older and their academic responsibilities increase, these planning problems become more evident. For example, in secondary school, where the demands are higher, planning difficulties are more pronounced. Although hyperactivity symptoms might decrease during these years, parents and studies have noticed a significant struggle in teens with ADHD when it comes to planning. Some methods, like breaking tasks into smaller steps, have been shown to help improve these skills.

Studies have shown differences in planning abilities among various subtypes of ADHD. Adolescents with the inattentive type of ADHD (ADHD-I) generally experience more difficulties in planning tasks. This was observed in a comparison between ADHD subtypes and controls during planning tasks. It was found that while all adolescents with ADHD faced challenges with executive function in everyday life, those with combined ADHD struggled more than those with inattentive ADHD. However, it's important to note that not all adolescents with ADHD have planning deficits.

One effective approach to helping students with ADHD improve their organization skills involves structured school intervention programs. These programs include elements like behavior management systems, organization interventions with checklists for binders and book bags, homework management through planner checks, and parent involvement. Such structured interventions have been shown to significantly improve organization and homework management skills in children with ADHD, leading to better academic performance.

Improving organizational skills can significantly enhance academic functioning in children with ADHD. A study demonstrated this through an 8-week program focused on organizational skills. This program led to notable improvements in organization and homework management skills. Parents reported fewer homework problems, and teachers observed increased academic engagement and better grades. The use of a planner for recording homework assignments played a crucial role in this improvement.

In a study comparing two types of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescents with ADHD, it was found that planning-focused CBT was slightly more effective than solution-focused treatment. This study highlighted the importance of teaching planning skills to adolescents with ADHD. Both parents and therapists rated the planning-focused CBT more positively, and it led to significant improvements in teacher-rated executive functioning and impairment.

Children with ADHD often struggle with organizing skills, which becomes more challenging as academic demands increase. This lack of organizational skills leads to difficulties in managing school materials and meeting deadlines. Procrastination and poor planning tend to worsen from childhood to adolescence, continuing into adulthood. These organizational challenges are directly linked to lower academic performance, highlighting the need for focused treatment and research in this area.

Homework management is a critical aspect of academic success for students with ADHD. Studies have shown that parent-rated homework materials management can predict grades. Likewise, teachers have observed that memory and materials management are good indicators of a student's GPA. Effective organization strategies, including good homework materials management, are crucial for improving academic performance in students with ADHD.

For individuals with ADHD, simple and effective techniques can greatly assist in managing tasks. Some of these techniques include creating brief to-do lists with a maximum of five tasks, using visual reminders, and breaking large tasks into smaller goals. Managing hyperfocus with tools like alarms and timers, and having someone assist with routine tasks can also be beneficial. These strategies help in making decision-making and task completion more manageable for those with ADHD.