How To Deal With ADHD In The Classroom

Posted by Brett Slansky | 5:26 PM | 0 comments »

By William Phillips


Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, abbreviated as ADHD, is a condition of the brain, signaled by a recurrent series of inattention or hyperactivity that negatively disrupts the normal functioning and development of an individual. Educators also deal with students who exhibit symptoms of the disorder, and this has an impact on academic performance in the long run. Understanding ADHD in the Classroom is important, for you can devise measures of mitigating the effects.

As a parent, managing a child with ADD can at times make a situation much devastating. One reprieve is that you are not alone. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently conducted a survey that targeted the youth, aged between four and eighteen years. Astonishingly, eleven percent of these individuals were diagnosed with the ADHD.

In normal life situations, it is not uncommon to observe some elements of inattention, wandering motor activities and momentary impulsivity. Individuals with Attention Deficit Disorder, as it is also known, tend to exhibit these symptoms more severely, more frequently, and in some cases, can interfere with the quality of their social lives, either in the office or at school.

The nature of inattention as exhibited by individuals with ADD is varied but is signaled by ignorance, or a shrug to details, or the tendency to frequently make avoidable mistakes in school work. Moreover, a child often shows reluctance when asked to perform an assignment that calls for high mental engrossment. On the other hand, hyperactivity can is seen when a student causes a commotion in a situation where silence is expected, like in a meeting, or in a classroom setting.

Additionally, other surveys have revealed the distinctions in character as exhibited in students without ADD and their counterparts who have ADHD. The report unveiled that the latter lot faced persistent challenges maintaining an apt academic record. As time elapses, their learning curve begins on an awry trajectory, due to frequent cases of suspension and expulsions, detention, and dropping out of school.

The teaching staffs interact on a daily basis with the students and are the first people to detect the slightest abnormalities in a child that could signal ADD. Usually, when provided with academic assignments, a student may start off very promisingly, but at a certain juncture, becomes irritated by the slightest noise from another classmate. Disturbances due to unwelcomed remarks are also signs of the disorder.

In a bid to head off characteristics that distract other students from concentrating in their academic works, devise some warning gestures with the learner who shows signs of ADD. The gestures could be a hand, or shoulder signal, or a sticky paper on their desk. When discussing the case with the student, find a private space to do so.

The teacher may also opt to change the seating organization in a classroom, with the aim of accommodating the student who distracts the class often. Perhaps outdoor activities are usurping too much focus from a child. In that situation, you can reposition them away from the windows, to avoid similar instances.




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