Teens With ADHD Benefiting From Online Education

PORTLAND, Ore., April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- High school students who struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may only be a click away from a helpful alternative option. Insight Schools, a national network of accredited, tuition-free online public high schools, finds many of its students diagnosed with the disorder are thriving in its personalized, flexible learning environment.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 2.4 million children between the ages of 12 and 17 have ADHD, and the diagnosis of the disorder in that age group increased an average of 3 percent per year from 1997 to 2006. In addition, Dr. Russell Barkley reports in the book "Taking Charge of ADHD" that 21 percent of teens with ADHD skip school on a regular basis, 35 percent drop out before finishing high school and 50 percent experience sleep problems.

Students with the disorder enrolled at Insight have found many of these problems are alleviated with online education. Insight students are able to work at their own pace, overcome distractions, receive more one-on-one attention and ultimately get the sleep they need every day.

Neil Peterson, founder of the Edge Foundation, an organization committed to providing professional coaches for students with ADHD, agrees that online learning could be a great option for teens with ADHD. Peterson is the author of "Embracing the Edge," recounting how he overcame physical and learning disabilities – including ADHD – to become a successful entrepreneur.

"Many students with ADHD have a significant lack of focus and inability to complete tasks. The online learning model offers something for the interactive and the auditory – two main ways kids learn," said Peterson. "Over 50 percent of students that have ADHD go undiagnosed, too, so it is important that those with the symptoms get a screening test and also pursue the right learning path for them."

Insight Success Stories

• Insight School of Colorado student Colin DiPaola, 18, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2008. At that time, he attended a brick and mortar school and felt it was a "self-esteem killer." He then enrolled at Insight and the flexible schedule has greatly helped him. "Sometimes, I wake up and get some studies done at 6 a.m. and other times I get it done pretty late at night," said DiPaola. "I just don't focus well after lunch and that was a huge problem before. At Insight, I can do the work when I can focus my best and my self-esteem is back." He was recently accepted to a community college that he plans on attending for two years as he pursues his dream of becoming a teacher.
• Andrew Tibble, 16, is a sophomore at Insight School of Kansas and also has written expression disorder. Because of it, Tibble has difficulties writing what he wants, and the issue made him uncomfortable around peers at his traditional school. "I would sometimes just not be able to write or focus and some kids would make fun of me," said Tibble. "It got to a point where I thought I could do better in a new environment and Insight was that solution. The extra attention from my teachers has been great, too."
• Dylyn Peterson, a gifted student who also has ADHD, is two grades ahead of most kids his age – which is 12 years old. "My mom felt that being at a traditional high school would be rough given my age," said Peterson, who is enrolled at Insight School of Colorado. "At Insight, I'm still being challenged by my work; I can study when I feel like it and I don't have to worry about crowded hallways or get in trouble for disrupting the classes by talking a lot or not raising my hand when I want to answer."

Online education continues to grow, with more than 1 million U.S. students taking all or part of their K-12 education online – an increase of 47 percent in two years (Sloan Consortium study). Students with ADHD could discover that online learning is a great option for them, too. To learn more about Insight Schools, call 800-975-8006, visit www.insightschools.net, or email [email protected]

About Insight Schools, Inc.

Insight Schools, Inc. is the nation's leading network of tuition-free, diploma-granting, online public high schools. With certified instruction, leading-edge technology, parental tools, and 24/7 on-demand academic and technical help; Insight offers a highly personalized program with multiple academic paths, a nationally-recognized curriculum, and over 120 courses.

SOURCE Insight Schools, Inc.