Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a disability that can manifest itself as one of three types including inattentive, hyperactive/ impulsive, and a combined type. AHDH "is the most prevalent diagnosed behavior disorder in childhood, affecting 3% to 7% of the school-aged population" (Gureasko-Moore, p. 159). This is something that will affect many of my students, especially since ADHD has an extremely high comorbidity rate with students with learning disabilities.
Students with ADHD can struggle in a variety of different ways in the classroom. Some students struggle simply to sit still during class, while others struggle to complete their work or even to concentrate on a single task. There are many things that can be done to help students with ADHD. These must be decided on an individual basis though, since ADHD affects every student differently. Below is a list of some techniques that I have used or have seen used in the classroom. If you would like more information about this, please feel free to check out the links below.
Students with ADHD can struggle in a variety of different ways in the classroom. Some students struggle simply to sit still during class, while others struggle to complete their work or even to concentrate on a single task. There are many things that can be done to help students with ADHD. These must be decided on an individual basis though, since ADHD affects every student differently. Below is a list of some techniques that I have used or have seen used in the classroom. If you would like more information about this, please feel free to check out the links below.
- Cut down on distracting decorations around the classroom. Although I love to see color, too many bright colors and excessive decorations in the classroom can be very distracting to a student with ADHD. Try to limit the decorations to the walls and stick to one color scheme.
- Folding students' worksheets so that the student can only see part of the work at any given time helps students with ADHD to concentrate on the part of the work that they need to be doing at a given time.
- Having planned breaks for the student to stand up and get a drink or take a walk in the hallway can help some students with ADHD who feel the need to constantly move. This helps the student to understand when it is and is not appropriate to be moving throughout the classroom.
- Yoga balls or cushioned seats can also help students with ADHD. These allow students to stay seated at their desks and to still move enough to help them to concentrate.
- Organized binders for each class or subject that students are working on can help students with ADHD to keep their belongings in a place where they can always find them.
- Often, students with ADHD like to do things like tap their pencils on their desks. If this helps a student to concentrate, the distraction for the rest of the class can be taken care of by simply putting a sponge on the student's desk for him or her to tap the pencil on.
ADHD Article GUREASKO-MOORE | |
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