Learning from Adhd

Learning From ADHD

Source: Scholastic Instructor Magazine

As we enter the discussion on children with ADHD, there are many key factors we need to consider outside the normal procedures in our classroom. Children with this diagnosis need to be handled in different manners based on the individual requirements and actions. As educators, it may appear to be different in a sense that we need to react, reprimand, teach, evaluate, and discuss differently with all involved but in the end it is the education of the child we are looking to enhance.

The first step in understanding the child's needs, involves various meetings and conversations with numerous individuals. With that being said, we need to find our place in those meetings and keep in mind the end result and understand everyone may have an opinion or comment. These meetings must remain focused on the child's needs and their best interest. During these meetings, many people will jump to conclusions about the needs but until fully thought out, these conclusions may not be the best result.

Our classroom procedures and reprimands may need to be laid out in a manner that involves seating chart changes, rewards vs. reprimands, involving the children in extra activities, or various other actions. Children with ADHD often times need to be refocused on the task at hand and need to have the steps laid out in a manner that enables them to follow multiple directions at once.

Children of this category need to have the ability to not only relax their brains, but need to be able to release extra energy. The best place to be able to do this is at recess or in the classroom playing games or enjoying their friends. We as educators need to keep this in mind when our schedules appear to be busy; it is in the best interest of these children to allow them to be children in the schools.

In the end, children with ADHD need to have more tailored attention to them and have a game plan that plays to their needs. It is in their best interest to allow these children to help us understand their needs and how we can adapt out classrooms and schools. Working with these children will enable all of us to be successful in educating ADHD students.