ACCOMMODATING STUDENTS WITH ADD/ADHD By: Stephanie McDaniel

WHAT IS ADD/ADHD? A chronic condition that affects children and can persist into adulthood. ADD/ADHD can include a combination of problems, such as difficulty with focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Difficulty paying attention Frequently daydreaming Difficulty following instructions Frequently forgetful and loses items Frequently fidgets Excessively talkative Easily distracted

OBSTACLES TEACHERS WILL FACE WHEN HAVING STUDENTS WITH ADD/ADHD ADD/ADHD symptoms can vary with each person. A few obstacles teachers may face when having students with the disorder are:  They demand attention by talking out of turn or getting out of seat constantly  They have trouble following directions  Forget to write down important information  Have trouble with ordered steps, such as math  Have trouble staying on track with a long term project  They don’t pull their weight on group projects  May keep a group from accomplishing their task

WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO TO HELP?  Accommodations  What can you do to make their environment manageable for them?  Instruction  How are you teaching your students? What can you do to help the student?  Intervention  What action do you take when that student misbehaves? What do you when that student is disrupting the class?  Over all: POSITIVE ATTITUDE  Work with that student. Let the student know your NOT against (make your attitude support you actions, and make your actions support a good attitude)

ACCOMMODATIONS: SEATING Making a seating chart for the students can be a very useful idea. You will be able to control who the students sit by, so therefore you can move them away from their distractions.  Seating the student away from windows and doors  Put the student right in front of a teacher  Arrange desks in rows, instead of in a group

ACCOMMODATIONS: DELIVERING INFORMATION  Give directions one at a time and repeat them when necessary  Work on the most difficult material early in the day (attention isn’t used up)  Use visuals (charts, pictures, color coding)  Organize information for note taking  Hands on activities

ACCOMMODATIONS: STUDENT WORK  Create a quiet area where the student can take tests, study, or “cool off”  Test the student in the way he/she does best (every student is different)  Divide long term projects into segments and have completion goals  Make many short quizzes rather than one long test

ORGANIZATION  Have the student keep a master binder, with classes in sections. Everything hole punched and put into correct section  Provide a folder for student to put homework in and papers for parents  Have a time at the end of the day for student to organize materials for home and what was done that day  Make sure student writes down assignments and important dates

TEACHING TECHNIQUES  Before starting a lesson, tell students what they will be learning about  Make eye contact with the student  Keep instructions short and simple  Include a variety of activities and learning styles  If student is fidgety, let them squeeze a soft ball, or tap something that doesn’t make noise  Summarize key points in the lesson  Repeat necessary points (homework, directions..)  Be specific on what the child is supposed to be doing

STUDENTS WITH IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR Children with ADD/ADHD may act before thinking, which will cause major difficulties in a classroom setting. After child is diagnosed with ADD?ADHD, it is important that they parents meet with the school and develop behavior plans, discipline plan, and decide what the child really needs.  Make sure written behavior plan is near the child (desk, wall)  Give consequences immediately following behavior  Recognize good behavior, and make sure child knows what they did right  Make sure there is a schedule of the day where the student can see it (have a sense of control)

SMALL THINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE Sometimes small things that we don’t think about can make a BIG difference with students who suffer from ADD/ADHD.  Students who are fidgety: Ask them to run an errand for you, even if it is just sharpening the pencils, or taking the lunch count to the cafeteria. (releasing energy)  Provide a stress ball, when appropriate during the day  Do not take recess or PE away from student.  This is when the student is releasing built up energy. You want them releasing in on the playground, not during a lesson.  When child has difficulties focusing on lessons, try to make the lesson fun and interactive.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE A child spends most of their time at school, with us. It is so important that we make their learning experience enjoyable. There will be many students who we have to make accommodations for, even ADD/ADHD students. Every student is different, so of course all of these accommodations will vary with students, but this is just ideas how we can help them. Also, parents may have a specific way that they want the student handled. So it is so important that we talk with the parents first.

REFERENCES  