Teens With ADHD May Need Help Making Transition to College

Experts offer suggestions for students on how to compensate for their disorder

Friday, August 17, 2012

"The ones who are going to do best are those who come to college prepared, who are aware of their weaknesses and have some strategies for compensating," said Kristy Morgan, a recent Kansas State University doctoral graduate in student affairs and higher education who conducted in-depth interviews with eight college freshman with ADHD about what they learned from the experience.

FRIDAY, Aug. 17 (HealthDay News) -- For students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, making the transition to college can be especially difficult. But by adopting certain strategies, such as sticking to a structured daily schedule and tapping into the university's disability support services, freshman with ADHD can do well, according to experts and teens with the condition.

Certain themes emerged.

While most students said they got through high school without having to study much, they found college classes much tougher -- and most felt they didn't have the study skills to handle it.

"They were able to get through junior high and high school pretty well, and get good enough grades to get into college," Morgan said. "Then they got to college. They were finding they had to study very independently, and there were less in-class opportunities for test prep, and it was more difficult."

Students with ADHD also said they looked forward to the "freedom" of a less regimented college schedule, yet they found it more difficult to manage their time without the structure that high school provides.

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To help students with ADHD make the transition to college, the experts offered teens and parents these tips:

• Get educated about ADHD:...
• Develop study strategies...
• Set a schedule...
• Contact disability support services: ...
• Continue taking medications:...

SOURCES: Kristy Morgan, Ph.D., Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., doctoral dissertation, Kansas State University; Andrew Adesman, M.D., chief, developmental and behavioral pediatrics, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, N.Y.

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