6 Effective Ways to Motivate Your Young Adult with Dyslexia and ADHD

As a parent of a college student with dyslexia and ADHD, it can be frustrating to see your young adult struggling to stay motivated with their studies. It is normal to feel helpless and unsure about what steps to take to help your child overcome their challenges. However, there are ways to motivate your young adult and help them find a sense of purpose and direction in their lives. In this blog post, we will discuss six effective ways to motivate your young adult with dyslexia and ADHD.

1. Use a Mentor or Career Coach with Hands-on Coaching

Having a mentor or career coach to guide your young adult through their challenges can be beneficial. A mentor can offer hands-on support and provide your child with valuable insights on how they can overcome their dyslexia and ADHD challenges. They can share their own experiences and knowledge, help your child set achievable goals, and guide them through the steps they need to take to achieve them, providing them with more confidence and self-esteem.

2. Take the Pressure Off and It's Okay to Fail as Long as You Learn from It

Often young adults with dyslexia and ADHD can feel discouraged after making mistakes, they may feel frustrated or even embarrassed. It's essential to remind your child that failure is not the end-all, they need to understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Encourage them to look at their mistakes as opportunities that help them learn and improve. Doing this will ease the pressure and reduce anxiety.

3. Build a Relationship with Your Adult Student By Doing Things They Like

Spending quality time with your young adult can help build a positive relationship. Taking time to participate in activities that your child enjoys can help create a more comfortable, less stressful environment where your child can open up and communicate more. This can be anything — watching movies, cooking, or hiking. Always aim to be approachable so that they can confide in you comfortably.

4. Make Cheat Sheets and Take Notes to Organize Your Day to be Less Stressful Intern Have More Motivation

Creating cheat sheets and taking notes can make life more manageable and less stressful for young adults with dyslexia and ADHD. Having visual tools to help organize tasks will help them make informed decisions, prioritize tasks and mental preparation. It helps to reduce stress levels too. When tasks are well-organized, there is more time and energy to focus on their studies, which translates into a more motivated and productive mindset.

5. Take Action to Improve Executive Functioning with Maintaining Your Dopamine Levels

Poor executive functioning can be a significant barrier for young adults with ADHD and dyslexia trying to stay motivated. Dopamine is an essential chemical that helps maintain motivation and is related to executive functioning. Ensuring that your young adult is taking care of their dopamine through proper sleep, diet and exercise can help maintain healthy dopamine levels. Activities like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness are all proven to have positive effects on executive functioning and overall well-being.

6. Celebrate the Little Wins with Enthusiasm

It is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the little wins with a lot of enthusiasm. Even if your young adult accomplishes a small goal or takes a small step forward, it is a significant achievement worth recognizing. Build on this momentum by rewarding them for their hard work and efforts. An enthusiastic pat-on-the-back and verbal encouragement can go a long way in boosting their confidence and motivation.

In conclusion, staying motivated with dyslexia and ADHD can be challenging, but with love, support, and persistence, helping your young adult stay motivated becomes achievable. Using a mentor or career coach, taking the pressure off, building a relationship with your young adult, making cheat sheets, taking care of their dopamine levels, and celebrating the little wins are effective ways to keep the motivation flowing. By incorporating these methods, you can be confident that your young adult is making progress, building their self-confidence and in turn, motivating them to achieve their full potential.