Research studies compiled by Nova Medicine and Health showed that “the presence of visual elements in addition to the verbal ones allowed students with attention difficulties to perform close to those of the students without difficulties.
Children with ADHD need visual aids for a variety of reasons.
1. To help them stay focused.
Visual aids can help children with ADHD stay focused on a task by providing them with visual reminders of what they need to do. For example, a child who is working on a math problem could use a visual aid to help him remember the steps of the process. He needs to get fascinated on a subject matter, otherwise, the mind creates his own world where everything is more interesting and exciting than the present environment.
2. To help them organize their thoughts, thoughts that make sense to them.
Visual aids can help children with ADHD organize their thoughts by encouraging them to draw picture stories as visual representations of their thoughts. When a child sees his own artwork as reference, he acquires a level of inspiration to proceed and verbalize his story. Clay modelling and building blocks are one of the most basic activities that use creativity and structure at the same time.
3. To help them express themselves.
Engaging in art activities allows children to express themselves and share their creations with others, whether it be a teacher, parent, classmate, or friend. Reflecting on past artwork can help enhance long-term memory and provide a sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, completing a piece of art can boost self-esteem and instill a sense of pride in one’s abilities.
These interactions foster positive social skills such as sharing, giving compliments, and offering suggestions. Children may find it easier to talk about their artwork than themselves, allowing for deeper connections with others.
4. To help them remember information.
When you see this picture, what do you remember?
Pictures are always associated with ideas and inspiration, emotions, experiences, fantasies, or even call to action.
Visual aids can help children with ADHD remember information by providing them with a chart or montage. For example, a child who is learning about the solar system could use a visual aid of the planets orbiting around the sun in order. Coupled with stories and pictures of the myths and legends of the constellations, the children would not notice time passing by.
5. To make learning more interesting.
Visual aids can make learning more interesting for children with ADHD by providing them with a more engaging way to learn. For example, a child who is learning about animals could watch videos of animals in their natural habitat. Watching videos would seem like a recreational activity for children and helps to subdue hyperactivity and restlessness.
Visual aids can also reduce the feeling of anxiety. A list of daily visual tasks can help keep the children stimulated such as corresponding to picture cards and puzzles. There are many helpful creative tools for children with ADHD.
Overall, visual aids can be a valuable tool for helping children with ADHD learn and succeed. By providing children with regular inspirational reminders of what they need to do, how to organize their thoughts, join and engage in group tasks, visual aids can help children with ADHD overcome some of the many challenges they face everyday.
It would help to understand more about children with ADHD. Other children without it should also be informed by caring adults so they do not bully them and would be more forgiving to those whose behaviors are seemingly different.
Please visit https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Early-Warning-Signs-of-ADHD.aspx
