ADD/ADHD

Don’ forget that most of them are going to “seem different” no matter what you do! So-called average kids will learn with so-so teaching— kids with adhd need excellent teaching, which will benefit all of the students in your classroom. Think about gearing your lessons for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Grab their attention at the start of the lesson, and vary activities frequently. You might establish a “cue” with certain kids when you notice their attention wandering or their behavior deteriorating. Make movement acceptable in the classroom. Kids are going to talk, so make that acceptable too— give them opportunities to discuss with a partner, etc. You will find it easier to teach if you are not constantly fighting for a quiet, controlled classroom where students sit at their desks with their hands folded, eyes on the teacher. Establish a cooperative classroom climate— I try to remember what Rick LaVoie says: “fair does not mean everyone gets the same thing. Fair means everyone gets what he or she needs…” Let your students know that they can get their needs met in your classroom.

We need consider for a second that we all are different from one another, ADD or not. If an ADD/ADHD child is unusually active, they will seem different from those who are not and there’s little if anything one can do about that. There’s a great deal than can be done to encourage the other children not to single out any child, ADD or not, for their difference.

If you want ADD/ADHD children to feel and be more a part of the class routine, I’ve found it helpful to plan intriguing lessons with some physical activity in them. For the most part, I try to not have a ‘worksheet’ classroom that leads all students to boredom and ADD students to an invitation to distractibility. Keep yourself moving and active at the front of the classroom or walking around it. See teaching as a performance art.

When you ADD students need counsel, give it kindly as you would to any other student. Such a stance helps them not to feel different but to feel valued.

Good luck.

you dont have to have adhd to be good or do well in school my son is 4 and he has all the things that have adhd but the thing is they are not shure if he has got it becouse he is good in school but i can tell you this steven is a brite boy good in school but as soon as he comes home he is vilont towards the others he has gone missing one day i went to get david and i said where is steven and as we was comming out of school he was walking back in and i said where where you and he said took kelly home he has gone missing again i was in the fish shop and he come in the house and terry said get back in and he justed looked at him and went in to happpy shopper he is very abousive and dose not stop still so what do you class this he has all the symptoms but becouse he is doing so well at school i have no prove he hit the others with belts and eny thing he can get hold of and i am at my wittis becouse he hits david over the head and every thing

In order to make your classroom smoothly, you may find it helpful to center your lessons around active, hands-on learning. Whenever possible include opportunities for the students to comment and add their opinions to the classroom conversations. This element may cut down on students “blurting out” and speaking out of turn. Allowing yourself to move around the room during instruction will also help to keep the atmosphere of the room fast paced and keep the children’s attention. Perhaps pairing your students in small groups where they are able to work cooperatively may make assignments and projects more enjoyable. Allowing the students freedom to move about and talk quietly between activities could cut down on the restlessness of students with add.

Most importantly, remember that each child is special, with a unique personality all of their own. Spend time and get to know each child on a personal level. Use their personal interest as a guide for the curriculum and as a type of reinforcement.

I wish you lots of luck with your class!