I have a teen son with ADD, who is also very gifted in school. He is an underachiever and procrastinator.?

Question

He is rated high in reading and language, as well as creative (divergent) thinking and not so high in math functions. Give him some time watching Mythbusters (Discovery) and he can figure out what Adam and Jamie are doing, and what may happen.

I need some ideas on how to motivate him to start and complete work in a timely manner. (He's supposed to go to Germany with his German class this summer for a few weeks.)

It's only in the past month or two that he finally got support services for the ADD (has had them for being gifted since third grade). Thanks!

Answer 1

Motivate him with video games and candy, and/or money and sweet things. Simple, yet effective. I have concentration issues too, as I got the lowest grades in my class last year, yet the highest IQ ratings and the highest final exam marks. Bribe him off to do his work. It works.

Answer 2

I like the first sentence and the first sentence only of the above contributor.  Yes, let your son know that once he is in the real world his boss will not give him leeway because he is ADD.  In the same breath, also let him know that he needs to figure out internal ways to overcome it.  He's intelligent.  If he needs a boost allow him to pick out a book for adults or teens with ADD.

(He may be a procrastinator because he's a teenage male... and nothing more.)

If the rational "thinking" approach doesn't work, why not make out a contract.  Simply tell him that you will make a deal with him.  If you don't need to prod him to do #1 and thing #2, all week the following weekend, you'll take him to his favorite restaurant, buy him a CD, a new baseball cap, his friend can stay over, whatever.  If he doesn't do it without proding, it's a weekend at home without his video games.   Be very specific.  Should homework be completed by 7pm, for instance?  If he doesn't begin until 6:45, you can NOT say a word.  You laid down the law and it's time to back it up come the weekend.   He's a smart guy and I believe he will figure it out in a few weeks.  Do factor in his teenage stubborn streak complicated by ADD...it may take a little bit of time.

Answer 3

Tell him the reality of it all. That he has ADD, but nobody is gonna care in the real world. Tell him that if he doesn't do good in school that he will probably be a loser. Punish him how you see fit to motivate him. He must have something that he likes that can be taken away.