1. Children with Distractibility and Impulsivity Difficulties

2. How would you describe Miguel?
“he’s all over the place”
“he makes me nervous just watching him”
“he bothers the children around him”
“he blurts out answers”

3. Characteristics *Inattention *Distractibility *Impulsiveness
(Can’t focus well)
*Distractibility
(Pays attention to everything)
*Impulsiveness
(Difficulty thinking before they act)

4. The Problem These children are at high-risk for future school failure:
gain negative attention, little encouragement
always in trouble, little peer interaction
expected to fail
poor self-esteem, self-concept
Child eventually stops trying and fails

5. Causes/Reasons Other disorders Stress A Learning Disability
Gifted but Bored
A Combination

6. Early Intervention In the face of misbehavior my job is to
create a change in order to effect a change.
I may change the structure of the classroom, the method of instruction, the peer interaction, my actions, or thoughts or expectations, or…
I may simply command change in the actions of the child.
Of these, the last is the least effective.
“Shilo,” I say, I want you to pay attention now.”
Sound familiar?
L. Tobin

7. Learning Environment Provide highly predictable schedule
Limit distractions
Define personal space

8. Planning and Instruction
Make rules and consequences clear
Teach social behavior
Minimize time spent waiting
Plan for transitions

9. Teacher-Child Interactions
Use visuals
Be specific
Give immediate reinforcement
Offer frequent feedback
Maximize eye contact
Ignore minor fidgeting

10. Personal Inventory
Think of a child you have worked with in your program.
Check the strategies you have tried.
Highlight the strategies you might want to try in another color