ADHD Learning Support for Children, Teens and Adults
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Common Signs of ADHD in Children, Teens and Adults
ADHD can affect attention, organisation, memory and self-regulation in both learning and everyday life. Individuals may experience patterns such as:
ADHD can affect attention, organisation, memory and self-regulation in both learning and everyday life. Individuals may experience patterns such as:
Getting sidetracked easily
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Avoiding or procrastinating doing tasks like homework or big projects
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Being disorganised, forgetful or
frequently losing things |
Seeming fidgety, impulsive,
appears not to be listening |
Struggling to follow instructions,
setting and achieving goals |
Difficulty completing tasks without reminders or support
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From a cognitive perspective, ADHD symptoms may be related to weaknesses in specific brain functions responsible for reasoning, working memory and managing multiple pieces of information at once. The Arrowsmith Program focuses on strengthening these underlying functions.
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Two Cognitive Factors That May Contribute to ADHD
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These two areas help explain why individuals with ADHD may struggle with attention, organisation and managing information in everyday tasks.
1. Prefrontal Cortex Issues
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Symbolic Thinking (Thinking through language) |
Non-Verbal Thinking (Thinking through non-verbal processes) |
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The prefrontal cortex acts like the brain’s “control centre” for attention, reasoning and self-regulation. It helps us plan, stay focused, manage our thoughts and regulate our behaviour.
Symbolic Thinking and Non-Verbal Thinking are cognitive functions that are constantly active when we are learning or solving problems. They help us generate ideas, process information and work through solutions. When these functions are not working efficiently, it can affect attention, organisation and learning. This can look like difficulty staying focused, following instructions or completing tasks independently. |
When these cognitive functions are weak, you may notice difficulties such as:
Difficulty with mental initiative
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Difficulty setting goals and achieving them
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Difficulty working independently
Difficulty staying focused in conversation or writing
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Difficulty being self-directed
Difficulty initiating tasks without support
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The degree of weakness in one or both of these functions could affect whether an ADD or ADHD diagnosis is made. Even at mild difficulty, the impact can be profound.
When these cognitive functions are weak, individuals are often misunderstood. What looks like inattention or lack of effort may actually reflect underlying cognitive challenges. Without support, this can impact confidence, learning and independence over time. The Arrowsmith Program focuses on strengthening these cognitive functions to support attention, reasoning and learning. This is why traditional approaches don’t always address the root cause. |
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2. Cognitive Load and Information Processing in ADHD
Cognitive load refers to how much information the brain can hold, process and work with at one time. For individuals with ADHD, this mental load can become overwhelmed more easily, especially in busy or demanding environments.
This can make everyday learning tasks feel harder than they should be.
This can make everyday learning tasks feel harder than they should be.
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Working Memory |
Processing Speed |
Reading and Writing |
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Problem Solving |
Non-Verbal Reasoning |
Understanding and Following Instructions |
What can appear to be ADHD may actually reflect cognitive functions that are struggling to keep up with the demands of learning.
In a typical classroom or learning environment, individuals are often expected to:
In a typical classroom or learning environment, individuals are often expected to:
Process information quickly
Follow multi-step instructions
Remember and apply new information
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Stay focused while managing distractions
Organise thoughts and respond clearly
Complete tasks within time limits
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For individuals with reduced cognitive capacity, these demands can quickly become overwhelming.
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When cognitive load is high, the brain has to work much harder just to keep up. This can lead to fatigue, frustration and reduced confidence. Over time, individuals may begin to avoid tasks that feel overwhelming, even when they are capable of learning and improving.
This is not a lack of ability, but a difficulty managing the amount of information being processed at once. |
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Why Traditional ADHD Support May Not Be Enough
Many individuals with ADHD receive support through tutoring, accommodations or strategies designed to help manage day-to-day challenges. While these approaches can be helpful, they often focus on working around difficulties rather than addressing what is causing them.
If the underlying cognitive functions responsible for attention, memory or processing are underdeveloped, the challenges can continue to show up in different ways over time. This can lead to ongoing frustration, even when effort and support are in place. This can be discouraging, especially when effort is already high.
This is why a different approach is sometimes needed.
If the underlying cognitive functions responsible for attention, memory or processing are underdeveloped, the challenges can continue to show up in different ways over time. This can lead to ongoing frustration, even when effort and support are in place. This can be discouraging, especially when effort is already high.
This is why a different approach is sometimes needed.
ADHD Doesn’t Have to Be for LifeADHD is often managed through strategies, accommodations and support. These approaches can be helpful, but they don’t always address the underlying cognitive challenges.
A different approach focuses on strengthening the brain’s capacity. By improving how key cognitive functions work, individuals can experience meaningful and lasting change. This is the focus of the Arrowsmith Program at Empowering Lives. For many individuals and families, this can be a turning point. Instead of continually working around difficulties, it becomes possible to address them at their source. |
Discover Your Cognitive Strengths and Challenges
Choose the option that suits where you are in your journey.
Choose the option that suits where you are in your journey.
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Arrowsmith Cognitive Questionnaire
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Take our 30-minute questionnaire to gain an initial understanding of your cognitive strengths and areas that may be impacting learning, attention or memory.
This is a simple first step to begin identifying where support may be needed. |
Arrowsmith Cognitive Assessment
The Arrowsmith Cognitive Assessment provides a detailed and personalised analysis of your brain’s cognitive functions, delivered by a trained professional.
This helps identify the underlying causes of learning and attention difficulties. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about ADHD, attention difficulties and brain-based cognitive training.
What causes ADHD and attention difficulties?
ADHD and attention difficulties are often linked to how the brain processes information, particularly in areas responsible for attention, reasoning, working memory and self-regulation. These challenges are not simply behavioural. They can be connected to underlying cognitive functions that affect learning and everyday life.
Can ADHD improve without medication?
Many individuals manage ADHD with medication, strategies or accommodations. These approaches can be helpful, but they may not address the underlying cognitive functions involved in attention and learning. Brain-based cognitive training aims to strengthen these functions and support longer-term improvement.
Why doesn’t tutoring always help ADHD?
Tutoring can help with school content and strategies, but it often focuses on working around challenges rather than addressing the cognitive functions behind them. If attention, memory, reasoning or processing are weak, difficulties may continue even when support and effort are in place.
What is cognitive training for ADHD?
Cognitive training focuses on strengthening the brain functions involved in learning, attention and processing. The Arrowsmith Program is a structured brain-based cognitive training approach based on neuroplasticity. Rather than teaching workarounds, it targets the underlying cognitive functions that may contribute to ongoing difficulties.
How does the Arrowsmith Program help with ADHD?
The Arrowsmith Program focuses on strengthening cognitive functions related to attention, reasoning, working memory and information processing. As these functions improve, individuals may experience gains in focus, learning efficiency, confidence and independence. Results vary depending on the individual and the cognitive functions being targeted.
Who is the Arrowsmith Program suitable for?
The Arrowsmith Program can support children, teens and adults who experience ADHD, attention difficulties or related learning challenges. It may be suitable for individuals who struggle with focus, working memory, organisation, processing speed or learning despite effort and support.
How do I know whether this approach is right for my child?
A good first step is to complete the questionnaire or learn more about the Arrowsmith Cognitive Assessment. This helps identify the cognitive strengths and challenges that may be affecting learning, attention and everyday functioning, and whether brain-based cognitive training could be a good fit.
Can people with ADHD benefit from the Arrowsmith Program?
Yes. The Arrowsmith Program is designed for children, teens and adults who experience learning, attention or cognitive challenges. Many adults seek support for difficulties with focus, organisation, memory, processing speed or managing complex information. By strengthening the underlying cognitive functions involved in these areas, students may experience improvements in learning, workplace performance and everyday life.
Still have questions?
Contact our team
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Testimonials
Before starting the program, I struggled to stay focused throughout the day. Now I feel as if my ability to concentrate has greatly improved, and I have a lot more perseverance to get through day-to-day tasks. Adult Participant |
The Arrowsmith Program gave my daughter life. Without it she would be on medication and be in a behavioural class. Parent of Arrowsmith Participant |
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