ADD or ADHD?“Official” clinical diagnosis is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD
ADD used as generic term for all typ0es of ADHD
Basically talking about the same thing, whether you say ADD or ADHD
ADD affects approximately 5% of children and adolescents and 2% or adults
Impacts about 2 students in every classroom across America
DefinitionADD is a diagnostic label given to children and adults displaying certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common core features include:
Inattention/distractibilityImpulsivityHyperactivityBoredom *
To meet diagnostic criteria:Behaviors must continue for at least 6 monthsProblems apparent before age of 7Impairment from symptoms present in 2 more more settings
Common SymptomsFailing to give close attention to details or making careless mistakes
Difficulty sustaining attention to tasks
Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Failing to follow instructions carefully and completely
Losing or forgetting important things
Feeling restless- fidgeting with hands and feet or squirming
Running or climbing excessively
Talks excessively, blurts out answers
Difficulty awaiting turn* Nature and severity of symptoms varies widely between cases
* 1/3 of those with ADD do not have hyperactivity component
Effects on EducationClassroom setting probably the worst possible setting for ADD children
•Many distractions
•Told to sit still and not talk
•Need to pay attention to boring, repetitive worksheets, etc.
•Need to keep on task until work is finished
Many students “hit a wall”
Continual struggles
•Attention Deficit Disorder and Ritalin have become almost synonymous. (Dexedrine, Ritalin, and Cylert)
•Children do not out grow ADD symptoms, so other methods of treating ADD besides medically must be used.
•Maintain a healthy diet…encourage fruits and vegetables and eliminate caffeine and sweets. Get proper rest and exercise daily!
• Teachers and parents need to deal with and work on improving children’s attention skills, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
• Effective reinforcement systems need to be found.• Stop and think before they answer or begin work.• Appropriate behavior modeled by adults.• Ear plugs!!!
Classroom Techniques for Students with ADD/ADHD…
General classroom teachers being faced with increasing responsibilities for students with ADD
At first, teachers are likely to feel burdened, overwhelmed and unconfident in tackling ADD
Many proactive steps teachers can take to help prevent the problem from becoming overwhelming.
Top 10 Ways to Alter a General Education
Classroom in ways that Support the Strengths of
Children with ADD!!!
# 10…Incorporate movement
into classroom life, in the form of role play and other
active curricular responses.
# 8…Student with ADD should be positioned in the front row, where he/she is less
likely to be distracted.
# 5…Because children with ADD are often self-conscious about their
need to take medication, provide children with a secure place to keep and take pills.
# 3…For over stimulated children,
designate a stimuli reduced area of the room, where a child who is fidgety and overly aroused
can complete his or her assigned task.
# 2…To address the hyperactive
child’s reluctance to tackle fine-motor skills, create small
interactive centers requiring fine muscle control (art center, map
skills area) in the classroom setting.
# 1…View and treat the student
with ADD as a whole person, and not a person with ADD, or
an “ADDer” but a complete and unique individual.
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