Creatively Supporting and Improving Communication Skills
If you’re raising a boy who talks non-stop … or hardly speaks at all … you are not imagining things … and you’re definitely not alone.
For many boys with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), communication can be a daily challenge.
They might interrupt constantly, go off on tangents or struggle to get their thoughts out clearly.
Others might shut down altogether because they’re overwhelmed or afraid of saying the wrong thing.
These aren’t just “bad habits” or signs of rudeness … they’re often rooted in the way ADHD affects the brain. And unfortunately, the impact can impact friendships, school performance and self-esteem.
Why ADHD Makes Communication Harder
When most people think of ADHD, they picture difficulty paying attention or staying still.
But ADHD can also affect how a child listens, speaks and engages in conversations. A study in the Journal of Attention Disorders found that kids with ADHD often struggle with pragmatic language … knowing how and when to use language appropriately in social settings.
They may interrupt, talk too much or struggle to follow the flow of a conversation. Sometimes, they simply can’t organize their thoughts quickly enough to keep up.
According to a review in the National Library of Medicine, many children with ADHD also miss subtle cues like tone of voice or facial expressions. This can lead to misunderstandings with peers … and eventually, social withdrawal or acting out.
How Communication Struggles Show Up
You might notice things like:
- Frequent miscommunications
- Talking way too much … or barely at all
- Trouble picking up on facial expressions, sarcasm or body language
- Difficulties expressing emotions or ideas clearly
These issues can look different depending on age. Younger boys may struggle with vocabulary and emotional expression, while preteens and teens often misread social situations or become self-conscious and guarded.
What You Can Do to Help
The good news? Communication skills can be improved … with the right support. Some helpful strategies include:
- Breaking conversations or instructions into bite-sized chunks
- Using visuals and cues to support memory and focus
- Practicing listening and taking turns in calm, non-judgmental settings
- Encouraging movement and physical activity throughout the day
In fact, research from Harvard shows that regular exercise helps improve brain function in kids with ADHD. Dr. John Ratey’s book, SPARK, goes even deeper, showing how movement not only boosts learning, but also helps with mood, attention and social connection.
How Cherokee Creek Supports Communication for Students with ADHD
At Cherokee Creek Boys School, we understand that communication challenges are often part of the ADHD journey. That’s why our learning community is built with intention … from small class sizes and hands-on lessons to built-in movement breaks and reduced distractions.
Whether or not a boy has a formal ADHD diagnosis, our approach helps students feel heard, understood and capable. We focus on building not just academic skills, but emotional and social confidence, too.
Some examples of supports we offer are:
- Offering P.E. as our first class every morning
- Having body breaks built in throughout the day
- Offering individual communication skill support as needed
- Encouraging our students to learn what strategies are most effective for themselves, teaching advocacy
Research and organizations who focus on ADHD (like Understood.org) remind us that communication struggles are common … but not permanent. With patience, the right environment and a little creativity, boys can learn to express themselves clearly and connect more deeply with the world around them.
Positivity Teacher and Ventriloquist, Ignacio Estrada, always reminded parents and teachers,
“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
At Cherokee Creek, that’s exactly what we do.
More About ADHD Communication
Pragmatic Deficits and Social Impairment in Children with ADHD
Pragmatic Language Difficulties in Children with Hyperactivity and Attention Problems: An Integrated Review
The Profile of Pragmatic Language Impairments in Children with ADHD: A Systematic Review
Cambridge University Press; by Carruthers, Taylor, Sadiq and Tripp
5 Ways ADHD Can Affect Social Skills
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