UNDERSTANDING ADHD AND HOW TO HELP

CLAREMONT IMMERSION ELEMENTARY SCHOOLOCTOBER 15, 2019

KATHLEEN DONOVAN

KELLY MOUNTAIN

APS PARENT RESOURCE CENTER COORDINATORS

UNDERSTANDING ADHD

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic

neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 11 percent of school-

age children

• Symptoms continue into adulthood in more than three-quarters

of cases

• ADHD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels

of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

DIAGNOSING ADHD

• Predominantly Inattentive

Presentation

• Predominantly

Hyperactive/Impulsive

Presentation

• Combined Presentation

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Three Presentations

DIAGNOSING ADHD

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□ Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes

□ Has difficulty sustaining attention

□ Does not appear to listen

□ Struggles to follow through with instructions

□ Has difficulty with organization

□ Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort

□ Loses things

□ Is easily distracted

□ Is forgetful in daily activities

Six of the following nine symptoms: Five for late adolescents and adults:

Predominately Inattentive Presentation

DIAGNOSING ADHD

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H Y P E R A C T I V I T Y

□ Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair

□ Has difficulty remaining seated

□ Runs about or climbs excessively in children; extreme restlessness in adults

□ Difficulty engaging in activities quietly

□ Acts as if driven by a motor; adults will often feel inside as if they are driven by a motor

□ Talks excessively

I M P U L S I V I T Y

□ Blurts out answers before questions have been completed

□ Difficulty waiting or taking turns

□ Interrupts or intrudes upon others

Six of the following nine symptoms: Five for late adolescents and adults:

Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation

DIAGNOSING ADHD

• Individual meets criteria for both inattention and

hyperactive-impulsive ADHD presentations

• Most frequent diagnosis is a combined presentation

© 2017 BY CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (CHADD). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Combined Presentation

DIAGNOSING ADHD

To what degree does the overall presentation of ADHD

symptoms impair one’s daily function in life?

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Mild Moderate Severe

Overall Impairment of ADHD

GIRLS AND WOMEN WITH ADHD

• Most diagnosed with Inattentive Presentation

• Commonly diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety

• Hyperactivity can be associated with hyper-talk

• Very good at making themselves appear invisible

• Hormones from puberty may have a great impact

• May have an increased sense of inadequacy

© 2017 BY CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (CHADD). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

UNDERSTANDING ADHD

•Paying attention is a

complex task and not easy

for someone with ADHD

•When we ask a child to

pay attention, we are

asking for skills in

numerous areas

© 2017 BY CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (CHADD). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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What Does It Take to Pay Attention?

Task Initiation

Emotional Control

Working Memory

Flexibility

Planning & Prioritizing

Self-Monitoring

Impulse Control

Organization

Executive

Functioning Skills Executive functioning deficits can

impact children’s performance:

• At home

• At school

• In social situations

IMPULSIVITY!!!

Cognitive Impulsivity

• Impaired ability to inhibit one’s actions

• Jumps into work before reading directions

• Inability to stop and problem solve

• Responds emotionally and makes poor decisions

ADHD EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Easily angered or has a short fuse

• Moody and Irritable

• “Over Feeling”

• Easily frustrated

• Gets upset or annoyed quickly

• Irritable

• Loses control easily

.

From “The ADD/ADHD Checklist” by Sandra Rief, M.A

ADHD… FURTHER DEFINED

Individuals with ADHD may also:

• Have difficulty with transitions and changes in routine or activity

• Become over-stimulated

• Display aggressive behavior

• Have immature social skills

• Be difficult to discipline effectively

• Be extremely insecure and have low self-esteem

From “The ADD/ADHD Checklist” by Sandra Rief, M.A.

WHAT TO DO—A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH

Treatment options include:

• Parent and student education

• Counseling/therapy

• School Supports

•Medication

SCHOOL SUPPORTS

•Claremont Student Support Team

•Section 504

•Special Education

PARENT SUPPORT

• Parent learning opportunities

• Parent Consultations

• Books, DVDs and other resources

• www.understood.org

• www.chadd.org

• Informational Website

• Community Resources

• SEPTA

• ADHD List-Serv

• Parent Liaisons