1. Tutoring Students With ADHDBy
Kenneth Stefano, PsyD

2. What is ADHD? Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ATTENTION
Focus, concentration, screening out/ignoring distractions
DEFICIT
Inaccurate name – more a problem with regulating attention
HYPERACTIVITY
Restless, fidgety, impulsive, poorly controlled
DISORDER
Causes problems in school, home, and/or community

3. What is ADHD? ADHD is NOT the result of: ADHD is the result of:
Laziness
Poor nutrition
Bad parenting
Lack of self-discipline
ADHD is the result of:
Heredity (your genes) and biology (how your brain develops)

4. What Causes ADHD? Top 3 genetically predisposed disorders
65-75 percent of cases
Many genes under investigation
Probably a combination of genes needed to develop ADHD
Cause areas of brain to develop differently
Motor areas develop faster
Control areas develop slower

5. Biology Some ADHD is biological Premature birth Exposure to toxin
About percent, due to :
Premature birth
Exposure to toxin
Alcohol, cigarettes, lead, infection
Brain injury
Side effect of cancer chemotherapy

6. 3 Types of ADHD Hyperactive-Impulsive Type Fidgets and squirms
Can’t stay seated
Runs, climbs, or acts restless
Talks excessively
Blurts out answers
Can’t wait turn
Interrupts or intrudes on others

7. 3 Types of ADHD Inattentive Type
Makes careless mistakes/misses details
Difficulty sustaining attention or listening
Does not follow through with or finish tasks
Difficulty organizing tasks/activities
Avoids homework, chores, other boring tasks
Loses things easily
Easily distracted by sights, sounds, etc.
Forgetful

8. 3 Types of ADHD Combined Type
A combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms
Most common type

9. What Does ADHD Look Like?
Tapping desk, shaking feet, swinging legs
Can’t stay seated
Goes to bathroom, gets a drink, etc.
Rushes through work
Makes careless errors
Can’t stop talking
Interrupts
Starts conversations

10. What Does ADHD Look Like?
Works slowly
Acts bored, wants to stop early
Responds to sounds, sights, etc.
Asks off-topic questions
Is not prepared
Doesn’t have materials
Doesn’t know assignment
Gets easily frustrated

11. What Does ADHD Look Like
Inconsistent performance
Some days student works well, other days student can’t focus at all
Forgets previously learned procedures

12. Strategies Check in with parent Did student take medication today?
How was student’s day at school?
Has student had a snack, play break, etc. before session?
What strategies do parents use to help student focus/behave?

13. Strategies Be prepared
Have extra supplies handy (e.g., pencils, erasers, calculator, etc).
Bring along a “fidget toy” (e.g., stress ball or Koosh ball) so student can channel excess energy.
Have clear expectations for behavior
Provide a list of “rules”
Make rule list visible

14. Strategies Communication skills Speak softly and slowly
Get eye-contact before speaking
Move closer to student when giving instructions
Have student repeat instructions

15. Strategies Communication skills, cont. Provide frequent praise
Be clear and firm when student gets off task
Tell student what you want them to DO, not what you want them to NOT DO
E.g., say “please sit still” instead of “stop fidgeting”

16. Strategies Be organized Have a schedule of the session’s activities.
Make the schedule visible (allow student to cross off activities as session progresses)
Change activities often – at least every 15 minutes
Provide “reward” at end of session if student is compliant (e.g., listen to a song, play a quick game of Uno, etc.)

17. Strategies Manage the environment Minimize distractions
No TV's/radios on
Have session in low traffic area
Keep work area clear
Only have out what you are working on
Present only a few problems at a time
Rewrite problems from a work sheet onto several sheets
Allow student to stand while working or walk around in between problems

18. Strategies Build in breaks For younger students (5th-6th grade)
Allow for brief movement between activities
Jumping jacks
Healthy snack
For younger students (5th-6th grade)
Consider using a sticker or token chart
Use a clock/timer to help student stay on task

19. Take Away
ADHD kids are not lazy
Be Prepared
Be creative and flexible