1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) Disorder & Middle School Presented by: Erin Hanley

2. Definition and Diagnosis ADHD defined: difficulties maintaining focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that make learning more difficult -affects nearly five million school-aged children *African Americans *Males *Lower socioeconomic status Causes: -genetics -pregnancy -the brain *sugar? *food additives?

3. Identification in Middle School Collaborative Effort -patterns, duration, and intensity of behavior -observed in more than one setting *symptoms must be present before the age of twelve *six symptoms from the Inattention and Hyperactive/Impulsive categories

4. Characteristics: Inattention Characteristics: Inattention -being easily distracted or forgetful -becoming bored quickly when beginning tasks -finding it difficult to complete tasks

5. Characteristics (Cont.) and Comorbidity Hyperactivity/Impulsivity: -impatience, -inappropriate comments -Interruptions - inability to sit still or stay quiet *Between 40 and 60 percent of students with ADHD also have another exceptionality

6. Education Implications Socializing -inappropriate comments with classmates -interrupting classmates or staff Learning -inattention affects knowing where to begin and how to finish assignments -trouble focusing on discussions or classwork

7. Education Implications Medical -loss of appetite -irritability due to changes in sleep patterns Behavior -difficulty staying on task -trouble staying in their seat/ doing what is asked

8. Education Implications Collaborative effort in identifying a child that may not already be identified as having ADHD. *child may be aware of symptoms and seeking assistance

9. How to Help Socialization -group work -encouraging positive social skills Schedules -telling students what to expect -remaining consistent

10. How to Help Stability -consistency in home and school -check-ins Supports -consulting other professionals -including the family and student in plans

11. How to Help Self-Regulation -positive reinforcement -compare and contrast Structure -stating big ideas, then breaking them down -letting students know what is expected

12. How to Help RtI Approaches Tier I: Universal Design for Learning Tier II: Targeted Supports Tier III: Intensive Supports

13. How to Help: Summary Complexity, Support, Time, and Structure = Success

14. References Kirk, S., Gallagher, J., & Coleman, M. R. (2014). Educating Exceptional Children, 14 th Edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Nowacek, E.J., & Mamlin, N. (2007). General education teachers and students with ADHD: What modifications are made? Preventing School Failure, 51(3), 28-35. Schwartz, S. (2015). Middle school momentum: How to help ADD/ADHD middle school students with homework, classwork, social skills, and organizing. Additude. Retrieved from http:// www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/897.html