This study examined the effectiveness of persuasive writing instruction using the SelfRegulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model with high school students identified with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Four students in grades 10 and 11 received one-to-one instruction in planning and persuasive essay writing. Instruction had a pronounced positive effect on students' writing. Essays were longer, more complete, and of higher holistic quality. Additional increases were seen in planning time, writing time, and the number of included transitional words and phrases.iii . To write effectively an author must be able to create and execute a plan for writing that includes, generating content, organizing ideas and text, addressing the appropriate audience, and revising and improving her work. These skills require attention to task and selfmonitoring throughout the writing process (Harris, Graham, & Mason, 2003). Each of these skills requires extensive practice for mastery, and current data suggests that American students are not effectively developing these skills.The National Assessment of Educational Progress has released a series of reports depicting American students as performing poorly in the area of writing. Nearly 75% of participating high school students were unable to meet the requirements for the proficient standard. Of those students identified as having special needs, 95% were at or below the basic level for writing performance (National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2008).While not new, the concerns surrounding the writing skills of American students may be more pressing today than at any other time in history. The economic shift towards service industries means effective writing skills are necessary for greater numbers of American High school graduates report similar skill gaps. Consequently, many graduates of American high schools may be ill-equipped to do the writing expected of them.
Writing and ADHDOne group that may be at-risk for writing problems is students with ADHD.ADHD is one of the most frequently diagnosed disorders of childhood (Barkley, 2006), affecting nearly two million school-aged children (Forness & Kavale, 2002). Students with ADHD often struggle in school. They are more likely to have failing grades (Fergusson, Horwood, & Lynskey, 1993) and lower achievement test scores than their non-disabled peers (Carlson & Tamm, 2000; Frankenberger & Connon, 1999).Additionally, drop out, expulsion, and grade repetition rates are higher for students with ADHD (Barkley, 1998; Weiss & Hechtmann, 1993). Moreover, 20 to 40 % of these students also have learning disabilities (LD), putting them at increased risk for academic problems (Barkley, 1998 Tannock, Purvis & Schachar, 1993;Tannock & Schachar, 1996).There is little research examining the writing skills of students with ADHD but available studies suggest that writing, like many academic skills, may be difficult for these learners. In a comparative study of students with a diagnosis of LD, ADHD, comorbid LD and ADHD, and no di...