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Kids 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.

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.

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.

On the other hand, a great progress can be achieved using appropriate teacher's approach to such children. The most important thing is to have a teacher who understands the problem, and have an adequate knowledge of ADHD. There are several things the teacher can do to make it easier for children suffering from this disorder, and one of these things is providing a safe, ordered environment. Explaining simple and clear rules is also really important.

Getting to know each and every kid and understanding any specific need is essential for any teacher. This includes talking to the parents as well. Every kid is unique, and it is good to know which methods were successful earlier. This approach is highly efficient, although it does require more time. Anyway, more time spent in the beginning will result with less problems in the future.

Recognizing child's talents or skills and rewarding every effort adequately could be a big step ahead in animating children with similar problems for learning. Using various methods, such as stars or point system, for reinforcing appropriate behavior and for rewarding efforts could also improve the quality of classroom environment as well as this child's success in school. A nice calming music background could also be of a great help.

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.

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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