ADHD exercise, copying without forgetting

Copying a lesson from the board or a book seems simple. Yet, for a child with ADHD, it is often a source of errors: forgotten words, skipped lines, reversed letters, unfinished copying. They must look, remember, write, then find their place again, over and over. Here are exercises and strategies to help them copy more accurately and more quickly.

A task more complex than it seems

Copying requires reading a group of words, keeping them in memory, writing them, then finding the place where one had stopped. These back-and-forth movements place heavy demands on attention and working memory. In children with ADHD, these two functions are often fragile. They lose their place. They forget words.

Copying from the board is even harder, as the head must be constantly raised and lowered. The child is easily distracted between two glances. They fall behind. They do not finish. They may be penalised. Copying in class is covered on the page ADHD and copying from the board.

Copying in word groups

An effective strategy is to copy in small groups of words, rather than word by word or letter by letter. The child reads three or four words, repeats them in their head, then writes them. They then return to the model. They make fewer back-and-forth movements. They work faster.

Practice at home with short sentences. Start with two words at a time, then three, then four. The child gradually increases their capacity. They become more efficient. They make fewer mistakes. This work draws on working memory.

Keeping one's place

To avoid losing their place in the model, the child can use a marker. A finger placed on the next word, a ruler under the current line, a small pencil mark. They know where to resume. They do not skip words. They do not copy the same line twice.

For copying from the board, the teacher can be asked to use a different colour for each line. The child can more easily see where they are. They find their place more quickly. They make fewer mistakes.

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Proofreading at the end

After copying, the child learns to proofread by comparing with the model. Word by word, line by line. They check that nothing has been forgotten. They correct the errors. They can be asked to do this with a coloured pencil.

This proofreading can seem tedious. Make it more fun: they become a detective searching for hidden errors. They circle them. They correct them. They are proud of having found them. The method is developed on the page on proofreading.

A good environment

For copying, the environment matters. The child must be well settled, with the model clearly visible. At school, a seat at the front, facing the board, helps a great deal. At home, the model is placed right next to the exercise book, at the same height. They should not have to turn their head.

Limit distractions around them. No noise, no passing traffic, no unnecessary objects on the table. They concentrate on their copying. They work faster. They make fewer mistakes. Choosing the right desk in class is explained on ADHD and seating in class.

Reducing the amount of copying

For a child with ADHD, copying can be exhausting and of little use if it takes up all their time. Adjustments can reduce it: photocopies of lessons, gap-fill texts, digital course materials. The child does not have to copy everything. They listen to the explanation instead of scratching away in their exercise book. Their strengths go to what matters.

These adjustments can be included in the pupil’s individual support plan. The teacher is the first person to consult. They do not prevent the child from practising copying from time to time. They spare them from being penalised. The process for obtaining a PAP is detailed on PAP and ADHD.

Assessments to understand

If copying remains very difficult, it may be useful to carry out an assessment to better understand the child’s difficulties. An occupational therapist can assess handwriting and copying. An orthoptist can check vision and visual tracking. A neuropsychologist can assess attention and memory. These assessments guide the support provided.

To find these professionals, the ProfessionnelsDys directory allows searching by profession and by town. You can consult the profiles. Assessments are carried out on a doctor’s prescription. Note-taking at secondary school is covered on the page ADHD and note-taking.