What is ADHD?

1. What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also known as hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADHD is a common condition that affects children and adolescents, while ADD is more common in adults.

2. ADHD IS….. • ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it.

3. Symptoms of ADHD in children are generally grouped into three categories: Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsiveness. • Inattention: • does not follow directions or finish tasks • does not appear to be listening when someone is speaking • does not pay attention and makes careless mistakes • Hyperactivity: • Often squirms, fidgets, or bounces when sitting • does not stay seated as expected • has difficulty playing quietly • Impulsivity: • has difficulty waiting for his or her turn • blurts out answers before the question has been completed • often interrupts others

4. Teaching Strategies for the Elementary School Teachers • Environment • Make rules and procedures simple and clear. Post in the classroom. • Seating at individual desks rather than tables for activities not involving group work. • Offer a focus desk in the classroom with a corral on it. • Seat student away from distractions such as hallways, doors, windows. • Seat student closest to where teacher will be lecturing. • Help with focus • Checking for understanding • Play music in background during individual work time (Classical music).

5. Teaching Strategies for the Elementary School Teacher (cont.) • In Class • Cut down assignments into smaller sections or give one worksheet at a time. • Provide an outline with the big concepts or vocabulary prior to lesson presentation. • Develop daily routines (Homework turn-in). • Add stimulation to tasks (Visuals, note cards, colored paper for assignments). • Kitchen timer to indicate “intense focus time.”

6. Teaching Strategies for the Elementary School Teacher (cont.) • Work on stop and think responses. Allow 5 seconds before responding to cut down on impulsivity. • Promote organization. • Homework folder • Complete work folder • Parent folder • Notes folder

7. Classroom Management and ADHD • Students with ADD ADHD tend to do well in the cooperative group instructional format. Small student groupings of three to five members is an ideal setting for processing interpersonal skills on a regular basis. • Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder tend to get into the most trouble during times with little structure or little supervision. • They tend not to recognize or respond well to positive feedback. In fact, ADHD may be directly related to a deficit in recognizing rewards.

8. What students say about their work I forget things, even important things. There is a myth that states, "If it is important enough, you will remember it." Please understand that this is a myth. Just because I forget does not mean that it doesn't matter. I am not trying to be arrogant when I say "I forgot." I really do forget. I do complete my homework. I often lose papers, leave my homework at home or in my locker. I often don't know where my homework is when it is time to hand it in. But I do complete it. Loose papers are the most difficult to keep track of, if it is possible to complete my homework in a notebook, I will be able to keep track of it better. I really do want to do good. For many years, I have struggled with schoolwork. It is frustrating for me. I want to pass your class, I want to do my best, I want to feel good about the work I have done.

9. What students need from teachers I need help to succeed. Sometimes, asking for help makes me feel stupid. Please understand this and be patient. Please sometimes offer your help without my having to ask, even though I may resent you asking. That doesn't mean that I do not want or need your help. Please be patient if I ask the same question many times or ask too many questions. I am not trying to be arrogant, I am trying to understand and I am trying to remember what you have said. Detailed explanations of your expectations will help me. I work best when I know exactly what you expect from me, ideally in writing so that I can refer back to them if needed. The more detailed your classroom and class work plan is, the better

10. How students feel about their ADHD If you notice me acting in inappropriate ways, please talk with me in private. Please do not talk to me in front of the class. This is humiliating. Please do not insult me or call attention to my differences or weaknesses in front of other students. . Sometimes I act out to hide my embarrassment or shame. This does not mean that something is not important; on the contrary, it means that it is very important and I am hiding my disappointment that I failed. I don't like having "special accommodations" in the classroom. Sometimes they are needed to help me succeed and do well. But that doesn't mean that I like it. Please don't call attention to any special treatment in front of other students. Please do not draw attention to my ADHD. Although I have ADHD, I am not ADHD. I am a person; I have feelings, hopes and expectations. I have needs. I want to be liked and accepted. I want to feel good about myself. All of this is important to me

11. · Obtain approval by the IEP team Principles for Assessment Accommodations · Know whether your state and/or district has an approved list of accommodations

12. Guidance for Assessment Accommodations · Base accommodations on student need · Integrate assessment accommodations into classroom instruction

13. Considerations In Assessment accommodations · Be respectful of the student's cultural and ethnic background · Remember that accommodations in test taking won't necessarily eliminate frustration for the student

14. Test Preparation In Assessment Accommodations • teachers should strive to make their worksheets easy to understand, easy to navigate, and user friendly • Keep page format simple • Don’t include any visual destructors  • Write clear and simple directions

15. The Advantages of ADD/ADHD Pete Quily - Owner of http://adultaddstrengths.com/ Top 10 advantages of ADD/ADHD in the Hi-tech Field - and the classroom. Ability to Hyper-focus Rapid fire mind Multitasking at Will High Energy Levels Highly Creative Quick Learner Stimulus Seeking Brain Constantly scanning your environment Great in a Crisis Risk Taker 1. Former CEO of Kinko’s Paul Orfalea 2. CEO of Jetblue Airways David Neeleman

16. Advantages of ADD/ADHD (cont.) Genetic Link of Evolutionary Prowess: (http://www.slate.com/id/2193472/) DRD4 7R+. “[...]Increased impulsivity, ADHD-like traits, novelty-seeking like traits, aggression, violence and/or activity levels may help nomads obtain food resources, or exhibit a degree of behavioral unpredictability that is protective against interpersonal violence or robberies. [...]” Athletes with ADHD: (http://www.adhdtexas.com/famouspeople.htm): Michael Phelps Babe Ruth Ervin “Magic” Johnson Michael Jordan

17. Advantages of ADD/ADHD (cont.) • Career variety • Good at customer relations • Humour, very healthy, quick picking up ideas • Look at multidimensional sides to a situation • Mentoring people with low self esteem • Not afraid to speak mind • Pragmatic • Quick witted • Sees the big picture • Tenacious • Unlimited energy • Witty Entrepreneurs: Walt Disney FW Woolworth Andrew Carnegie Henry Ford Malcolm Forbes William Randolph Hearst

18. 12 Things High School Students with ADD/ADHD Want Their Teachers to Know http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/1443/12022/12-things-high-school/2 ADHD in School : Classroom Interventions for schools http://www.addinschool.com/highschool.htm http://www.addinschool.com/elementary.htm http://www.slate.com/id/2193472/ http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2010/12/07/turning-adhd-disadvantages-into-advantages/ http://www.articlesbase.com/adhd-articles/add-advantages-10-great-benefits-of-add-703341.html http://www.adhdtexas.com/famouspeople.htm