Children With ADHD In The Classroom

By Timothy Taylor


ADHD is, as well as ADD, a well-known brain disorder that affect a great percentage of children between six and eighteen years. In the USA, there is probably around five million children suffering from attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder, and this might be a real problem in schools, because these children have problems controlling their emotions, concentration and behavior in general. ADHD in the classroom presents a real challenge to any teacher.

The symptoms can be recognized quite early. They cannot concentrate on anything for a longer period of time, they switch from one activity to the other frequently, they rarely finish with any task given, or simply talk all the time. Some may run or jump in place, unable to control themselves, others lose their toys or other things all the time, or forget things.

Kids suffering from ADHD have no patience, and this might affect their success in school, even if they are highly intelligent, and most of them are. Different treatments are used for suppressing and easing their symptoms, including medications and psycho social therapies, but there is no real cure for this disorder. In any case, combining these two treatments might be the best answer for some kids.

Anyway, there are some things the teacher can do to make their learning more successful. Creating positive, calm and predictable environment in their classrooms is something that will certainly have a very good effect on such children. Ordered environment and the teacher who is aware of their needs and provides clear and understandable rules and instructions, this can make a great difference.

The next thing any teacher should do is to get to know every child. Individual approach could make wonders, especially when the teacher knows exactly which approach worked the best for this child before. Talking to both the child and the parents, understanding child's needs and special characteristics, all these require time, but results with better understanding and easier interaction.

There are different methods that can be used for inspiring your students. If you recognize and reward their skills, efforts or talents, or a good behavior, maybe with a star, or an extra point, this might affect child's behavior. Pleasant environment, calming music, all this can additionally improve the quality of learning.

Sometimes children simply need something different, some kind of physical activity, a few stretches, or a simple pause from learning. This will keep them motivated, especially if their teacher makes them understand that there is a time for a pause, and there is a time for something else. Explain all that you do and why, and it will have effect on the child. If there is a good reason for a rule, it is easier to accept this rule.

Using a gentle tone is also a must. Yelling will do nothing, and can even make things worst. Another really useful thing is to divide lessons into several segments. This makes them easier to understand, especially when there are some simple questions about every single segment before proceeding with this lesson. This will keep their concentration on the higher level. If some kid just have to have additional physical activity, sometimes it's for the best to provide it.




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