| The Carroll Journal |
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Prevention Skills
By Jonathan D. Carroll, M.A.
Carroll Educational Group, Inc.
The beginning of the school year should be an exciting time in the lives of both
students and families. It is a chance for everyone to learn some new and exciting
lessons about life and other important areas. However, in the case of many
students and families, this is far from the truth. Students that struggle with
academics or do not have the love of learning are not looking forward to going
back to school and will not enjoy the opportunity to be a successful student.
OK, so what does the above statement mean? I have found that some students do
not truly understand what it takes to be successful in school. For some younger
learners, school was easier in the earlier grades and as it becomes more
challenging, he or she is not able to adapt to the increased expectations and
responsibilities associated with higher learning. That is a major cause of student
failure.
However, there is hope. Like the famous saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is
better than a pound of cure.” That is why it is important to teach students at a young
age study skills and how to be successful in school. The more prevention skills we
teach young students, the better these young learners will be in the classroom.
What are prevention skills? For students, these would include things like outlining,
note taking, note cards, study strategies, time management, organizational skills,
and other areas of school functioning. Students are expected to know these things,
or at least pick these up along the way. But, in the case of some students, it is not
the case. In my work with ADD/ADHD students, I have found that a majority have
difficulty with these skills. It does not mean the individual cannot pick up these
skills, it means that it has to be introduced and reinforced to the young learner.
Subtle skills are not easy concepts for ADD/ADHD people to pick up or
understand, so the young learner needs extra help. Medication has helped
ADD/ADHD individuals manage certain aspects of their lives, but that does not
mean that the student will immediately have a skill set in place due to the
medication. Students with ADD/ADHD must have study skills and strategies taught
and reinforced on a regular basis. While this will benefit most young learners, it will
take ADD/ADHD students a long way to future academic success. Keep in mind
that this is not only a strong recommendation for ADD/ADHD students, but for all
students.
Not only does this apply to students, but adults as well. Many gifted and wonderful
adults struggle in professional life due to deficits in everyday skills. Like students,
adults can also benefit from prevention skills. This would include organization, life
functioning, time management, and budgeting of both time and finances. Indeed,
many of these are similar to younger students, but these can apply to adults as well.
The most enjoyable thing about my work with individuals is seeing the development
and utilization of new prevention skills. For example, one of my clients was
struggling with organization and time management. We set up a calendar and
organization system that allowed the individual to apply her strength as a visual
person. Just by working together to create two small changes, the results were
amazing. This particular young woman improved academic performance as well
as keeping her life in a more organized manner. This was a result of taking two
new prevention skills and applying these to a regular routine.
For more information, please feel free to contact me.
| Carroll Educational Group, Inc. Chicagoland Area Phone: (847) 769-5569 Fax: (847) 377-9497 web@carrolledu.com |