“I often feel my daughter is misunderstood.”
Many girls have the inattentive type of ADHD. Their activity is internal rather than external. Their difficulties with reading comprehension are not the result of poor decoding skills, but of difficulty with concentration and working memory. If, in addition to the ADHD, there is a diagnosis of dyslexia, reading comprehension may be impeded by a deficit in decoding skills as well.
Often, but not always, girls with attention disorders can have one or more of the following: severe pre-menstrual syndrome and other hormonal issues, depression, substance abuse, food addiction, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. It is important that the academic coach find opportunities to enhance the self-esteem of girls and build advocacy and social skills as an integral part of the coaching. Goals of academic coaching include helping girls become aware of and to practice:
Active listening
Positive self-talk
Self-monitoring
Self-advocacy
Self-care