Sunday, July 2, 2017

Children With ADHD In The Classroom

By Timothy Taylor


Attention deficit - hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, affects a large number of children. Only in the USA, it is estimated that up to five million kids suffer from this unpleasant brain disorder that affects their life, their success in school and their behavior. They usually have difficulties controlling their emotions and actions, they have poor concentration and ADHD in the classroom might be difficult to handle.

There are many early symptoms of this disorder, and most usually start in early ages. Children easily get distracted, they tend forgetting things, often have troubles finishing different tasks, mostly because they usually switch from one activity to the other too quickly. They talk too much and often lose their things. Some run around all the time and cannot control their emotions. This can be hard to control at home, and especially in the classroom.

The lack of patience is another thing common to kids suffering from ADHD. All these things greatly affect their school success, and this really is a pity, because a great deal of these children might be highly intelligent. Their medical problems affect their success, and there is no cure for this. There are certain therapies, yes, and there are medications, but there is no cure. Combining different therapies is considered to be the best.

Nevertheless, there are many things that can be done in the school as well. Qualified and educated teacher may use various techniques that will help children suffering from ADHD. Providing safe, organized and predictable environment is probably the first and the most important step. Ordered environment with precise, clear, understandable rules are essential.

Knowing every kid and understanding all specific needs and characteristics is the best start for every teacher. Individual approach is a must. The parents should also be involved, because they may help in finding the best approach. Starting with this might require more time in the beginning, but makes all future interactions much easier.

These kids have specific problems, but it is also important to recognize their potentials, their special talents or skills, and it is especially important to notice and reward their efforts and successes. There are several rewarding systems, for example stars, or points, that might make them more interested in learning or following different rules. Music and calming colors also have a great effect.

If the teacher notices that some children simply cannot stay concentrated any longer, it might be a good idea to make a pause and involve any kind of a physical activity. A simple exercise will be a welcome distraction, but it is highly important to explain this to the children. This way they will be able to understand that there is a time for doing something, and why is it so.

The teacher has to use a calm, gentle tone, not commands, and should never punish or blame children for something they cannot do at once. Divide lessons and tasks into smaller, simpler units, and insert a few questions now and then, just to provoke their interest. When dealing with hyperactive child, you may also assign some special assignment for this child to do, just to satisfy his or hers need to move.




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