How to Find an ADHD Tutor Near You
If your child has ADHD, finding the right tutor to help them build their executive functioning skills can be life-changing. When looking for a tutor for your child with ADHD, try to find a tutoring program that specializes in individualized, research-based executive functioning instruction that is tailored to your child’s needs and levels – not just a subject tutor or homework helper. The best ADHD tutor will create an individualized learning plan using evidence-based, multi-sensory strategies to help your child improve their organization, planning, time management, and other executive functioning skills.
Why it’s important to find the right ADHD tutor
Some tutors excel at teaching writing or math to students. Others may be early childhood reading specialists and some are pros at teaching chemistry or physics. Not every tutor has the skill set and toolbox of strategies to help students with ADHD.
When parents hire the wrong type of tutor for their ADHD child, they may notice that:
- Organizational skills don’t improve.
- Homework continues to be laborious and a constant challenge.
- Progress is slow.
- Time management is a challenge.
- Their child continues to struggle with staying on task.
Students with ADHD typically need more than just homework help or assistance with a single skill or subject, like reading or math. They usually need help developing their executive functioning skills, including:
- Staying on task for longer stretches of time
- Prioritizing tasks
- Managing their homework
- Organizing their belongings
- Initiating tasks
- Following through on tasks
- Managing their time
- Taking effective notes
- Studying for different types of tests
Tutors who specialize in working with students with ADHD should be able to identify each student’s specific executive functioning challenges and come up with a tutoring plan to develop these skills using the appropriate tools and strategies.
What to look for in an ADHD tutor
You may know that your child needs an ADHD tutor but you’re unclear about which qualities to look for in an effective ADHD tutor. Below are traits you should try to find:
- A tutor who specializes in working with students with ADHD and executive functioning challenges
When seeking a tutor, inquire as to whether they work frequently with students with ADHD and if they regularly work on building focusing, organization, time management, and other executive functioning skills. - A tutor who uses evidence-based, multi-sensory teaching strategies
When working with ADHD students, tutors should provide interactive instruction, engaging their students with concrete, practical tools. They should teach their students strategies and show them how to apply the strategies to their relevant school work. The tutoring sessions should be hands-on and multi-sensory, and ideally the student should see the value in how the tools can help them. - A tutor your child connects well with
It’s important that your child connects well to their tutor and forms a solid bond so they are open to the strategies the tutor will teach them. Some students respond well to a bubbly, energetic personality, while others prefer a calmer, quieter approach. An ideal ADHD tutor for your child should be able to redirect them without leading to frustration, keep the sessions interactive and dynamic, and introduce new strategies if certain ones aren’t clicking for your child. - A tutor who focuses on concrete strategy development
When looking for the right ADHD tutor for your child, try to find a tutor who has a set of tools and strategies they can teach your child to help them become more independent and self-sufficient. The tutor should teach your child concrete executive functioning strategies to build their organization, planning, time management, task initiation, self-monitoring and other related skills.
Where to find an ADHD tutor near you
When looking for an ADHD tutor near you, you may want to consider a specialized tutoring center. Look for a tutoring center that focuses on helping students with ADHD. They should specifically specialize in working with students on executive functioning development, study skills strategies, organizational skills tips, time management tools, and planning skills, all using evidence-based strategies – and should have extensive experience doing so.
Online tutoring
Many students with ADHD respond well to online tutoring. It allows them to access specialized executive functioning coaches that might not be available in their local area, and it typically offers more flexible scheduling options. If students prefer working with a tutor late at night or on weekends, online tutoring can usually accommodate those schedules more easily.
Signs you’ve found the right ADHD tutor
You’ll know you’ve found an ideal tutor for your child with ADHD if you notice the following:
- Your child is becoming more independent with completing their work.
- Homework is less of a struggle.
- They are less resistant to tutoring sessions.
- Their organizational skills have improved.
- They are more self-confident with their schoolwork.
How long does it take to see results from ADHD tutoring?
The rate of progress from ADHD tutoring varies based on your child’s specific profile and degree of need. Some students show progress right away while others need more time. However, with the right ADHD tutor, you will likely notice:
- Improved organization and focus within the first month
- Academic skills improvement within the first 1-3 months
- Long-term academic independence with consistent tutoring sessions
The rate of progress can also vary based on the frequency of sessions. However, consistency with attending tutoring sessions is key; without this consistency, progress will likely be much slower.
Finding the right ADHD tutor for your child can help them immensely. Specialized tutoring and executive functioning coaching can help your child become more confident, independent, and successful in school.
If your child has ADHD and is struggling with planning, time management, organization, and other executive functioning skills, contact EBL Coaching to see how we can help them with individualized one-on-one ADHD coaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tutoring is best for ADHD?
The best tutoring for students with ADHD is tutoring that uses evidence-based methods to help them improve their executive functioning skills. The tutor should teach specific strategies and then show the student how to apply those strategies to their relevant school work.
Is virtual tutoring good for ADHD?
Yes! Many students with ADHD prefer virtual tutoring. They enjoy the flexibility of tutoring schedules and access to ADHD specialists who might not be available in their local geographic areas.
How often should my child meet with an ADHD tutor?
The frequency with which your child meets with a tutor can vary based on their needs. Many meet 2-3 times per week but others need less or more, depending on their overall profile and levels of need.
Dr. Emily Levy, the founder and director of EBL Coaching, holds her Doctorate Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She has been helping students with ADHD and executive functioning challenges for over twenty years.