ADHD exercise: proofreading

I’ve finished! And the child hands in the sheet without proofreading it, with mistakes they could easily have corrected. Proofreading is often the last thing a child with ADHD wants to do. They want to move on, and proofreading seems tedious to them. Yet it would earn them many marks. Here is how to make it easier and more effective.

Why it is so difficult

Proofreading means going back over work one believes is finished, with a fresh and attentive eye. For a child with ADHD, this is a double effort. They have already spent a lot of energy on the work. They no longer feel like diving back into it. And when they reread, their attention wanders quickly; they read what they meant to write rather than what they actually wrote.

It is therefore useful to make proofreading shorter, more targeted and more active. We do not ask them to check everything at once. We give them a method. We practise. They discover the value of proofreading. Careless errors are covered on the page to avoid careless errors.

One pass, one check

Rather than looking for all the errors at the same time, the child rereads just one thing on each pass. First, capital letters at the start of sentences. Next, full stops. Then agreements. Then missing words. Each pass is quick and focused.

A different colour can be used for each type of check. A small green tick when capital letters have been checked, a blue tick for full stops. The child can see their checks. They don’t lose their way. They are more effective.

Reading aloud

Reading one’s text aloud, whispering or articulating, helps to spot errors. The child hears what they have written. They notice missing words, odd sentences, repetitions. They correct them. The ear helps them more than the eyes.

They can also read while following each word with a finger or a pencil. They slow down. They don’t skip words. They really see what they have written. They find more errors. Focused reading is covered on the page to stay focused while reading.

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The proofreading checklist

A proofreading checklist, adapted to the child’s age and common errors, serves as a guide. I’ve put in capital letters. I’ve put in full stops. I’ve checked plurals. I haven’t forgotten any words. They tick off each line.

We build this checklist together with them, based on their usual errors. It is short, three to five points at most. It evolves with their progress. They keep it in their pencil case or stick it on their desk, then take it out for every piece of homework handed in. Creating personal lists is covered on the page to get organised with a list.

The detective game

To make proofreading more appealing, it can be turned into a detective game. The child searches for hidden errors in their text, like an investigator. They circle them. They count how many they have found. They are proud of each discovery.

We can also give them texts written by an adult, with deliberate errors. They must find all of them. They become the proofreader. They gain confidence. They then transfer this way of looking to their own work. Vigilance games also appear in the playful exercises.

Taking a little distance

When possible, rereading one’s work after a short break helps to see it with fresh eyes. We finish the homework. We take a break of a few minutes. Then we come back to proofread. Errors are easier to see.

In tests, the child does not always have time for a break. They are taught to keep a few minutes at the end to proofread. Extra time, provided for in the arrangements, can allow them to do so. They hand in more careful work. This additional time is detailed on the page extra time and ADHD.

Praising the effort of proofreading

Proofreading requires real effort from a child with ADHD. It is important to praise it, even if they don’t find all the errors. We congratulate them for taking the time to reread. We count the errors they have corrected together. They see the usefulness of their proofreading. Next time, they reread with a little less reluctance.

A specialised psychologist or coach can help the child build proofreading into their habits. The ProfessionnelsDys directory makes it possible to find these professionals by town. A speech and language therapist can also help if spelling difficulties are added. The difference with a spelling disorder is explained on the page ADHD or dysorthographia.