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Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a syndrome characterized by serious and persistent difficulties in three specific areas:
- Attention span
- Impulse control
- Sometimes Hyperactivity (ADHD)
ADD is a chronic disorder that can have negative effects on a child's life at home, in school, and within the community. It is conservatively estimated that 3 to 5% of our school-age population is affected by ADD.
Diagnosing ADD/ADHD
According to most clinical experts, to make the diagnosis of ADD the child must have the presence of at least six of the following criteria:
Attention Span Criteria
- Pays little attention to details; makes careless mistakes.
- Has a short attention span.
- Does not listen when spoken to directly.
- Does not follow instructions; fails to finish tasks.
- Has difficulty organizing tasks.
- Avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort.
- Loses things.
- Is easily distracted.
- Is forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity Criteria
- Fidgets; squirms in seat.
- Leaves seat in classroom when remaining seated is expected.
- Often runs about or climbs excessively at inappropriate times.
- Has difficulty playing quietly.
- Talks excessively.
Impulse Criteria
- Blurts out answers before questions are completed.
- Has difficulty waiting their turn.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others.
Here are some tips for working with children with ADD/ ADHD:
- Make sure that you always line up or sit the student near you. Do not line him up in the back of the class or the back of the line because he will get distracted easily.
- Maintain good eye contact when giving him instructions. If he looks away, remind him to look at you when you are speaking.
- Repeat instructions in a calm manner. Avoid getting frustrated when he does not remember what you said to him.
- Make sure your instructions are clear and concise. Avoid giving multiple commands. If you do not give clear instructions, then chances are he will not fully comprehend your instructions. At the same time, if you give him too many directions, he will also be lost.
- Ask him to repeat your instructions to ensure he fully comprehends what you said before he beings a drill.
- Maintain a supportive attitude. If you give up on him easily, then you are doing him more harm than good.
- Modify your instructions as needed. If he doesn’t comprehend what you are saying, or if he is too restless with the current situation, make sure you are able to make appropriate changes so that he is not set up for consistent failure.
Additional Tips:
- Remain as calm as possible when you address his misbehavior. Avoid debating or getting into arguments with him. Also avoid ridicule and criticism as this will only increase his misbehavior.
- It helps if you have pre-established consequences for misbehavior. For example: if he does not sit still during a drill, or if he tries to engage in misbehavior with other students, then he must sit in time-out until he feels he is ready to rejoin the class. (Make sure that the time out is not too long, or else it will build even more frustration).
- Acknowledge good behavior more so than others. You want to consistently “catch” him behaving appropriately.
- If a specific reward or punishment is not effective, change it up until you find something that does work.
- Engage him in self-recognition of his good actions. When he behaves appropriately, ask him how he feels about his great efforts. This will prompt him to be more self-confident.
Important Things to Remember:
- Children with ADD/ ADHD tend to have very low self-esteem because they are always getting reprimanded.
- The more of a bond you have with the student, the more he will listen to you.
- Children with ADD/ ADHD tend to not listen to people that they do not respect.
- Many children with ADD/ ADHD grow up to be extremely successful in all areas including music, politics, acting, writing, etc. Imagine the influence you can have if you follow these tips.
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