ADHD in the Classroom By. Bethany Drees

My Story Reasons for interest My definition How I want to use the information

Definition/Symptoms Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder A chronic condition that affects millions of children (one of the most common childhood disorders) and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school. Mayo Clinic

Their Feelings

Seen In the Classroom School setting requires: Sit still. Listen quietly. Pay attention. Follow instructions. Concentrate. demand attention by talking out of turn/moving around the room trouble following instructions forget to write down homework assignments, do them, or bring completed work to school trouble with operations that require ordered steps, such as long division or solving equations don’t pull their weight during group work and may even keep a group from accomplishing its task

Tips for Teachers Schedule- have a daily routine and have a schedule visual for them Organized- keep things in the same place in classroom, have them use a planner for homework and folders, allow time for them to organize Rules- have consistent clear rules in place and posted Give praise/rewards- reinforce the positive behavior they do Seating- away from distractions and keep focus on the teacher Instructions- repeat (if needed), use visuals, create outlines for note-taking Class Work- a quiet area, WS & tests with fewer items, divide up longer projects into sections

School Counselor Support Fidget Items- rubber/stress balls, seat cushion, workout bands, Velcro, tennis balls, lap buddies, pencil grippers, gum, podium access Supervision- “time out” area, energy release activities, reward center, quiet space List of interventions to try- with resources (token economy system, behavior charts, positive reinforcement ideas) Resources- templates, notebooks, organizational materials, contracts, schedules, charts, games Emotional support for teachers and parents

References National Institute of Health. (n.d.). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In National Institute of Health Website. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from adhd/index.shtml adhd/index.shtml HelpGuide.org. (n.d.). Teaching Students with ADHD. In A Trusted Non-profit Resource. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from Mayo Clinic Staff. (2013, March). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. In Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from LD Online. (1998). Helping the Student with ADHD in the Classroom: Strategies for Teachers. In The World Leading Website on Learning Disabilities and ADHD. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from

References (Cont.) Scholastic Instructor. (n.d.). 10 Common Challenges and Best Practices for Teaching Students With ADHD. In Scholastic. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from best-practices-teaching-students-adhd best-practices-teaching-students-adhd List of Appropriate School-Based Accommodations and Interventions. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2014, from Compiled by School Psychologists and Social Workers North Branford. (2004, September). Interventions and Strategies for Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. A Handbook for Teachers and Parents. In North Branford Schools. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from files/adhdbooklet.pdf files/adhdbooklet.pdf