For a lot of kids, ADHD can feel like a blessing and a curse. Many ADHD students are great with big-picture ideas, can problem-solve at a moment’s notice, are incredibly creative, and can hyper-focus on the things they’re really, truly passionate about. On the other hand, ADHD can make it hard for kids to focus on topics they find boring, lead to impulsive behavior that impacts them in and outside of the classroom, cause issues with time management, organization, and attention to detail, and even lead to issues with depression and anxiety.
Their inherent strengths – and subsequent struggles – make them perfect candidates for a college counseling firm that cares about channeling their energy to their passions, can help them create systems to “hack” their brain, and understands what they’re going through. And spoiler alert, we’re that firm.
Why Hire Independent Counselors?
Before we get into exactly why ADHD students can benefit from college counseling outside of school, let’s talk about why having an independent counselor in your corner is beneficial for every student. High schools, even private ones with college counseling departments, are overworked and swamped with students. A college counselor at an elite private school may have dozens of students, and most of their influence comes during senior year and the essay process. While they can be great resources for specific data, essay editing, and knowledge of your particular school’s track record with colleges, they are not incredibly involved before senior year. And guess what? You can’t do nothing for three and a half years and expect amazing results in the college process. You have to start sooner.
That’s where we come in. Top colleges want students who are focused, engaged, and passionate – and they want students who have taken steps to materialize those passions. By working with students one-on-one starting in their freshman, sophomore, or junior year, we’re able to intervene at crucial point and influence their resumes, grades, and outcomes.
For ADHD students, structure is everything. Many neurotypical students can easily execute their ideas into concrete plans, but neurodivergent students often struggle with executive functioning and “getting things done.” This can lead parents, teachers, and the students themselves to label them as lazy, but we’ve found this to be quite the opposite. ADHD students want to be get-it-done types, and in our experience, they can feel a lot of shame that they don’t have that self-starter impulse like so many of their peers. Having a counselor in their corner helps students not only formulate plans, but make those plans a reality. With weekly check-ins, students are able to hold themselves accountable, have a space to execute plans, and have someone who can give them the tools and resources they need to achieve their goals.
What’s the Process?
So many ADHD students are incredibly academically gifted, especially in their interest areas. They absorb the knowledge they want to have like a sponge, but often, the other stuff rolls off their back like a duck. We help students take advantage of the former, while supporting them through the latter.
Top-tier schools want to see students build niches, and among our clients, our ADHD students often have the best niches. We help students identify their academic interests and then narrow it down little by little. We assign books (or audiobooks! Whatever works best for the student) and online classes tailored to the topics they’re excited about. As they continue through the ‘funnel,’ they might go from a big broad topic like “STEM” to “Environmental Science” to “How does Ecology impact Environmental Science” to “Studying a specific soil type and it’s Impact on climate change” By narrowing down their interests, we’re able to help them have a strong application down the road.
We also help students set up extracurriculars they’re excited about. Whether that’s starting or joining clubs, helping them secure a research position with a professor or PhD student, finding a killer internship, or creating an independent project, we tailor our approach to each student. We get to know our students, understand what makes them tick, and guide them through how to do the things they’re passionate about. No two students are alike, so why have the exact same plan for each one? We highlight what makes each student unique and capitalize on those traits.
Outside of developing an extracurricular plan, we help students advocate for themselves. We’ve helped students get tutoring, extra time on the ACT or SAT, access executive functioning coaching, and so much more. We get our students all the resources they need to succeed.
Why TKG for students with adhd?
Our approach starts with empathy. We love working with neurodivergent students. Our counselors are kind, realistic, and know how to implement the right structure for students with ADHD. We know what pressure can feel like for a student with ADHD. Our counselors have experience working with ADHD kids and helping those kids get into top-tier schools.
ADHD can feel like an obstacle in the college process, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right support, students can take the strengths that ADHD gives them and turn them into a compelling application come senior year.
If your child is struggling with the college process and needs help keeping all those balls in the air, reach out to us today. We are ready to help.