Cognitive Strategy Instruction: An Effective Learning Technique Shown to Bolster Performance within the ADHD Population 321

As I mentioned in my last blog post, Cognitive Strategy Instruction has been shown to drastically improve academic and professional achievement, especially when used in the treatment of ADHD. In A Meta-Analysis of Single Subject Design Writing Intervention Research, Leslie A. Rogers and Steven Graham, conducted a study based on extensive research findings, evaluating the treatment options available for the enhancement of writing quality, grammar and productivity in the elementary and secondary student population of the U.S. Among their results, lay an important observation of the type of learning mechanisms most helpful to those suffering from Learning Disabilities such as ADHD. Specifically, they noted that Strategy Instruction is one of the most widely used pedantic measures aimed at the educational development of Learning Disabled, and ADHD students.

Strategy Instruction entails teaching pupils explicit strategies for achieving an academic goal, (which in the proceeding study, involved scholastic writing improvement methodologies), followed by:

• Modeling the strategy for the student, (i.e. Overtly showing the student the target strategy in an unequivocal and direct, step by step manner for guaranteed comprehension by the pupil),
• Providing the student the ability to practice with and without guidance and
• Monitoring the progress of the student’s learning via the strategy to ensure improved results

This type of learning mechanism can be contrasted with other instructional methods such as:

• Reinforcement Learning (or providing the student with awards, accolades and other incentives for accompolishing academic goals), and
• Goal Setting Approaches (or giving students feed back for progressively advancing the quality of their writing/mathematical skills (etc.) through feedback given in exchange for exceeding previously ascertained scholastic benchmarks).

As apposed to these, and other, more general methods, which grant individuals more lassitude in finding their own way through educational development, Strategy Instruction is a structured form of learning. One, in which, students are given discernable techniques to employ in changing and improving their study and learning habits, and which sets out to guide scholars through, towards boosted performance levels.

Summarily, amongst the various studies reviewed by Rogers and Grahm, this type of Learning Mechanism was proven to be the most successful treatment option available for improving the writing skills of all students, including students with and without Learning Disabilities and ADHD. But quite tellingly, it was found especially helpful and predominate as a technique for assisting those with ADHD (as well as those with other learning disabilities). Follow along in my blog posts to learn more in-depth information about Cognitive Strategy Instruction, and how it can be used to benefit and assist yourself or those affected individuals within your familial and friendship circles!