1. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Personal Choice Assignment Carina Brackett

2. Interest Did not believe in ADHD until doing research Raised to believe that ADHD was just an excuse for “bad” children I knew other children with the disorder, but did not know what it was all about Wanting to become a teacher has sparked my interest to learn about the diversity I may see in the classroom

3. ADHD Myths ADHD was created by psychiatrists, drug companies, and psychologists to create more business. ADHD was created to provide an excuse for children with behavior issues ADHD is over diagnosed and over treated by doctors

4. ADHD Defined Person that has a heightened awareness or sensitivity to environmental stimuli Results in limited alertness to their environment Children with the disorder are usually busy paying attention to their surroundings that their attention is directed away from what is important Performance is negatively affected

5. Quick Facts ADHD is an invisible, hidden disability in that no unique physical characteristics It is not hard to spot in classroom settings It is usually misinterpreted as being lazy, unmotivated, and even disrespectful Occurs in all parts of the world, in all racial and socioeconomic groups Also effects people from all levels of intelligence 70-80% of the cases cause problems in adulthood Prevalence in school-age children is 3-7% Some people with ADHD use medication to reduce the chance of inappropriate behavior

6. Pinpointing ADHD DSM-IV-TR is used as a guide to diagnose ADHD Identification of the specific type of ADHD depends on the number of symptoms the person possesses See Figure 8.2 on page 243 for criteria for diagnosing the disorder

7. Possible Causes of ADHD Neuroanatomical- related to brain structure Neurochemical- related to a chemical imbalance in the brain Neurophysiological- related to brain function Neuropsychological- brain dysfunction

8. To be considered ADHD… Six or more of the nine characteristics of inattention or characteristics of hyperactivity should be demonstrated Behaviors observed should be developmentally inconsistent Symptoms should be observed before the age of seven. Limitations that stem from the characteristics should be observed in two or more settings The characteristics are not considered the result of any other disorder Symptoms must cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational settings.

9. Team Players In the beginning ADHD assessment was conducted only by medical officials ◦ Psychiatrists ◦ Psychologists ◦ Physicians These individuals are still involved in the process, but today parents, teachers, school’s principal, and councilors are also involved in assessing the child

10. What teachers can look for… During long lessons, student may become bored quickly and frequently Loss of concentration during long class periods Find it hard to wait their turn May not stop to think before acting or speaking Extremely fidgety and restless Constantly forgetting

11. Tips to help educators Students with ADHD get bored during group activities Problems occur more often when student is not supervised Students with ADHD look for immediate payoff for doing the right thing They enjoy one on one situations Easier for them to work early in the day Teachers who plan meaningful experiences make an impact in the students success in their class

12. ADHD in the Classroom Once ADHD is diagnosed, a written IEP is recommended. The idea is to be able to have the child be included in the general education classroom for the most of the day It is important for the general education teacher to take responsibility for the positive learning experience of these students Teachers must understand the condition and know how to interact with the child Special educators collaborate with general education teachers to develop educational plans to incorporate with their curriculum

13. Medication Therapy Many of the students with ADHD will be prescribed medication to help them Common medications:  Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Cylert Teachers should be aware of the commonly prescribed dosages, intended effects, and possible side effects 70-80% of children on medication have positive progress while on the medication

14. All about the facts!! Boys are more often diagnosed than girls. Girls are less likely to be diagnosed or treated because their symptoms are harder to spot. Parenting and discipline styles do NOT cause ADHD. Parent involvement in treatment can help manage symptoms. Children with ADHD have difficulty participating in long tasks, but they can focus on things that are interesting and stimulate their mind. Most students with ADHD are successful in school and home by receiving positive feedback and reinforcement

15. Quote on ADHD “It’s got to be fun! If it is not fun its got to be moving! If its not moving and I’m not moving, maybe I can make it mad!”-- Zentall