How do you improve reading comprehension? | ADHD Information

One of the best ways to improve is just simply...to read alone or with someone. Get comic books. They are fun and often engaging. Get ANYTHING that your son seems interested in reading--even easier books or picture book. Books that go along with movies are good, too--he'll know the storyline from watching the movie, and in reading the book, he can transfer visual images to written words and vice versa.

Dee

My son's school has a program--there is  a list of specific books.  You read one, then take a computer test, answering questions about the book.  You can pace yourself, there is no rush.  While most of the questions are pretty basic, some of them involve more abstract themes.  My son's (3rd grade) IEP allows him to take these tests during his free time, or after school.  Pressure is minimal and he picks books from the huge list that he is interested in.  He is not graded on them for his report card, more of an elective thing.

Pulling inferences may always be hard for him but this seems to help.  He is on 10mg focalin XR, and his academic performance since starting this med has improved tremendously.  I am concerned because after 3rd grade (grades 1-3 considered primary grades) 4th grade and above will be focusing alot more on these abstract concepts.  He also works for 3 hours on weekends with a tutor (a former teacher with adhd, no less!) who concentrates on problem areas. 

Like many kids w/ ADHD, my child is struggling w/ reading comprehension.  He does fine when the questions ask facts or specific information from the reading passage, but he has trouble making inferences and seeing the big picture.  Anything abstract often is a struggle for him.  Any suggestions how to help him improve in this area?  He's in 3rd grade.  There are no LDs. Mom2ADHDboy39849.8450578704I think there are books you can buy on making inferences?Jessica N39857.869849537Read aloud with him and verbalize how your mind is working, the
thoughts you are having, as you read. Find a book that has a degree of
suspense, because they usually have lots of clues peppered throughout
that he can practice making inferences with.

I'm not sure where he is emotionally, but the Series of Unfortunate Events
is masterful in how it elevates reader expectations from beginning to
end. The first book is nearly intolerable for sophisticated readers because
everything put right out there. Later in the series readers are encouraged
to make inferences, and they are confirmed in the text so they know
when and how to do them. By the time you get to the last book it's a
bang up piece of writing. But it is a bit of a heavy story line - there's a
guy trying to kill 3 kids in order to inherit their family fortune.