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An ADHD pupil is inattentive, impulsive and
hyperactive who is likely to drive teachers up the wall. An
ADHD child actually has a hidden handicap and is actually
not trying to be naughty. Part of the brain of an ADHD child
that is controlling impulse, attention and stimulation are
not working in the same manner as the average person (due
to either too much or too little activities in certain parts
of the brain). The problems encountered with ADHD children
can be managed. Not only to help them develop their potential,
but also to lessen the teacher's burden in coping with them.
Because of their different neuro-chemical make-up in their
brain, ADHD children may not be able to handle simple day-today
tasks that teachers expect, and other children take for granted.
Yet they have many strengths; They are often creative, imaginative,
energetic, spontaneous, sensitive and helpful. All they need
is some understanding and support to help them cope in class.
Strategies for Coping with the Inattentiveness Problem:
1. Seat the ADHD child near the teacher
2. Provide separate section in the board for homework
3. Enlist the help student buddies and group leaders
4. Use colourful pictures, charts and diagrams
5. Break task down to bite-size chunks (divide and conquer
the complicated activities)
6. Attention breaks are especially useful (e.g. sipping water
or stretching)
7. Use games, competition , puzzles and computer to capture
their attention
Strategies for Coping with the Impulsiveness Problem:
1. Prepare the ADHD child for any transition
2. Set clear rules for class participation
3. Explain clearly the consequences if rules are violated,
and apply them consistently
4. Telling the child to check his work will not help; He has
to be taught how to check
Strategies for Coping with the Hyperactive Problem:
1. Suppressing the "hyperactivity itch" of a ADHD
child through sheer authority & will-power is counter-productive
2. Learn to utilise the excess energy in ADHD children (help
to carry some books, clean the board, run
simple errands, etc.)
3. Occasional stand-by desk stretchers for the whole class
4. Build interactive elements into your lessons
Strategies for Coping with the Disorganisation Problem:
1. Teach simple organisational skills (e.g. use of color codes
- one colour for each subject)
2. Have a set routine to help the ADHD child conform (e.g.
collect & assign homework at certain
fixed time)
3. Set up "lost and found" stationary stock for
loan
4. Assign buddy to help the ADHD child in facilitating organisation
Strategies for Coping with the Hand-writing & Motor-Coordination
Problem:
1. Focus on substance over form
2. Place less emphasis on neatness and penmanship (many doctors
also have poor
hand-writing)
3. Give them more physical space and time to manoeuvre
Supporting the ADHD Child:
1. You, as the teacher, can help the self-esteem of the ADHD
child by the way you treat him (you
are the role model and the class emulates you)
2. Believe in the ability of the ADHD child and he will show
you the results (believe that he is a nuisance
and he will live up to his name) - self-fulfiling prophecy
3. Manage by exception; Go for the big things and let the
little things go
4. Validate his desirable behaviour. Catch him being good
and describe the action that you like
5. Discipline with dignity; Punish the behaviour, and not
the person
6. Build on the child's strength, Minor successes are stepping
stones for bigger successes
7. Show other children how to accept and support the ADHD
child
8. Provide feedback to parents on the child's behaviour in
class
Conclusion: The ADHD child needs clear, well-defined structures
to provide security, consistency and stability in his very
confusing world. Yet within these boundaries, there must be
SPACE for mistakes and individual differences, and plenty
of stimulation to facilitate his response to your instructions.
Remember that how you treat the ADHD child, he will treat
society in a similar manner. For more information, see ADHD
VCD & ADHD Handbook created by SPARK (a parent support
group for dealing with ADHD problems, web-site at www.spark.org.sg,);
Send your queries to ADHD_Singapore@yahoogroups.com.
ADHD Fact Sheet.doc (Jan-03)
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