GAP Years for ADHD: A Necessary Consideration
GAP Years have been experiencing a renaissance in the US. Well established in Europe and Commonwealth countries America is quickly understanding the many benefits that a Gap year delivers to young adults. Growth devoted to self-discovery through unstructured learning brings priceless gains to young adults.
As more and more evidence piles up in favor of the many benefits GAP Years offer I wanted to share how they are even more critical to consider for ADHD teens making the transition to College.
Time to assimilate
High School is exhausting for most ADHD teens. They have to work extra hard to meet the pressures of academic performance, the rigors of standardized testing and the avalanche of details that come with choosing and applying to college. ADHD teens learn systems to get around their challenges to successfully navigate through these demanding years. Making large life transitions that require a new level of independence and responsibility is often a time where past systems, that worked before, fall apart. New transitions often cause a tipping point for ADHD’ers.
GAP Years provide a cushion of time where teens can take a moment after the crush of testing and applying to Colleges to focus on self-discovery and necessary practical life skills. This time is often the difference between success or failure of transitioning to college.
Time to choose a path that will work
With all the pressure of the average high school experience, grades, transcripts, sports, essays, SAT’s, AP classes, early admissions, teens aren’t given the time to even consider how they might want to devote their next four years. High School doesn’t offer the time or space to reflect thoughtfully on this important and expensive choice. ADHD teens are most often just getting through the next deadline crisis. As we know by now, ADHD teens operate at their best when they are truly engaged with what interests them. Rather jumping into the broad, generalized approach to education that most freshman college year’s offer a GAP Year allows young people to discover and refine their interests. It helps clarify how they can best put their education to work.
Time to mature
ADHD’ers are, on average, 3 years younger developmentally than their neuro typical peers! Naturally, this isn’t across the board. ADHD’ers often are remarkably developed in certain areas while remaining very young in others. Time to explore, mature and develop practical skill sets simply puts them on an even playing field with other students when they do start their formal education.
Confidence Building
ADHD’ers are curious, passionate, original thinkers. They also tend have had to struggle enormously with executive function and day to day tasks. A GAP Year can be a critically important time for them to practice real life experiences while pursuing interests that play directly to their strengths. For many, it will be the first time they can direct their own time and interests towards what engages them naturally. Many will discover that their executive function challenges melt away when they are able to do what comes naturally. This invariably builds confidence! Additionally, the new friendships they forge will give them another network of support..
Work Experience
ADHD’ers comprise a huge percentage of our entrepreneurial workforce. The reasons for this are obvious. People with ADHD combine creativity, high energy levels, fast multi-layered thinking and a proclivity to be highly passionate with their interests. On the other hand the challenges inherent in managing typical corporate environments discourage many ADHD’ers from even attempting that path.
It is invaluable for any young person to gain work experience but it is non-negotiable for individuals that are likely to start their own business!
By the Numbers
In 2015 The American Gap Association’s survey of Gap Year alumni found that:
98% reported that their Gap Year helped them develop as a person
96% fond it increased their self confidence
93% increased their communication skills
90% return to college
