Attention Deficit is a misnomer. They have a surfeit of attention, but need to learn how to focus that concentration. ADHD can be honed to provide heightened awareness, but also can be left untrained, leaving the mind scattered across too many subjects at once.
If I put 400lbs on a bench press and told you to lift it, but you couldn’t, would it be reasonable at this point to start yelling at you and bringing out my belt and other disciplinary measures with the promise of more if you keep failing to lift it?
It’s not a disciplinary measure, although strategies do exist to work with those who have ADHD, such as shorter and more frequent study sessions as well as tying physical activity into the study sessions. Yes, I concede that stressful homes can cause ADHD like symptoms, because stressed out children don’t sleep well at night.
However, true ADHD comes down to brain structure. Their areas of the brain that concern itself with memory and concentration tend to be smaller than average.
It’s definitely training. Like learning to study in smaller blocks and do something physical in between. As well as living a disciplined life, such as keeping a bedtime that is reasonable.
Finding out one’s aptitude would definitely help as well, because people with ADHD have a really deep work ethic if they are doing something that interests them. Find the right occupation and you risk him not quitting work because he’s in the middle of something.