ADHD - Attention deficit Hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit disorder—also known as ADHD or ADD—is not just a challenge with paying attention. On a daily basis, a person with ADHD may find it challenging to complete multiple tasks, as well as maintain a sense of organization. Stephen Tonti, a senior directing major at Carnegie Mellon, and TEDx presenter, describes his condition not as an inability to focus, but rather as a hard time focusing on one thing and giving it his full attention. He says that once he finds that one thing, he can hyperfocus.
Although living with or working with a child who has ADHD can be challenging, once we understand the disorder and how it affects them, we can teach the child how to take advantage of their strengths to help with their weaknesses.
Strengths:
*very creative
*able to think outside the box
*very enthusiastic
*quick thinkers
*often have good gross motor skills
*test limits/barriers
Challenges:
*staying organized and prioritizing
*remembering – especially tasks with several parts
*easily distracted
*impulsive
*estimating time
*managing emotions
*starting tasks
*transitioning from one activity/place to another
Tips for in the Classroom
In the classroom, the trick to harnessing the strength of a student with ADHD is to teach them through topics that engage them.
If you have a child who is in perpetual motion, remember that sitting for long periods of time in a chair is not just hard for them, at times it's impossible. Work with their motion rather than against it. Consider Using them for errands, allow them to stand in the back of the classroom to work, or allow them to use a yoga ball to sit on.
Routine is important. When routine is going to be altered, giving a child with ADHD the "heads up" can save you both a lot of stress.
Provide visual and/or audio cues like advance organizers on the board, sticky note lists with personalized instructions on their desk, and help them use their agendas effectively (or online agendas).
Timed tasks CAN work for some children with ADHD. Set a timer for a particular task or for a transition time. Counting down every 30 seconds or so can help….although do it calmly for fear of raising the stress level of other students.
Post your rules and the class expectations and refer to them regularly, especially during term 1. Don't assume that after a week of school that they will 'know' these expectations. They have, depending on the year, 5-9 different teachers, with different expectations.
Think about partnering a student with ADHD with someone else in the class who can help them so that they don't have to wait for you all the time. Waiting periods often lead to disruption. This is also where instructions written down on as sticky note would come in handy. The "What do I do now" problem is completely covered.
Although living with or working with a child who has ADHD can be challenging, once we understand the disorder and how it affects them, we can teach the child how to take advantage of their strengths to help with their weaknesses.
Strengths:
*very creative
*able to think outside the box
*very enthusiastic
*quick thinkers
*often have good gross motor skills
*test limits/barriers
Challenges:
*staying organized and prioritizing
*remembering – especially tasks with several parts
*easily distracted
*impulsive
*estimating time
*managing emotions
*starting tasks
*transitioning from one activity/place to another
Tips for in the Classroom
In the classroom, the trick to harnessing the strength of a student with ADHD is to teach them through topics that engage them.
If you have a child who is in perpetual motion, remember that sitting for long periods of time in a chair is not just hard for them, at times it's impossible. Work with their motion rather than against it. Consider Using them for errands, allow them to stand in the back of the classroom to work, or allow them to use a yoga ball to sit on.
Routine is important. When routine is going to be altered, giving a child with ADHD the "heads up" can save you both a lot of stress.
Provide visual and/or audio cues like advance organizers on the board, sticky note lists with personalized instructions on their desk, and help them use their agendas effectively (or online agendas).
Timed tasks CAN work for some children with ADHD. Set a timer for a particular task or for a transition time. Counting down every 30 seconds or so can help….although do it calmly for fear of raising the stress level of other students.
Post your rules and the class expectations and refer to them regularly, especially during term 1. Don't assume that after a week of school that they will 'know' these expectations. They have, depending on the year, 5-9 different teachers, with different expectations.
Think about partnering a student with ADHD with someone else in the class who can help them so that they don't have to wait for you all the time. Waiting periods often lead to disruption. This is also where instructions written down on as sticky note would come in handy. The "What do I do now" problem is completely covered.