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.

It is not hard to recognize some of the early symptoms, such as forgetting things, misplacing toys, switching interests and activities all the time, talking non-stop or the lack of emotional control. Such kids get distracted too easily and sometimes have some really serious problems with their behavior. When they need to finish a task, it might become a real problem to them, even when this is not something too complicated to do.

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.

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.

Children should never be yelled at, or blamed for something they didn't do correctly. Every teacher has to be gentle and kind, and rewarding good things is always better than punishing. Dividing lessons into smaller segments children can easily understand is much more productive. Asking simple questions every once in a while will keep children concentrated. At last, if some child simply has to move, send it to take a message to another teacher, for example, just to satisfy this need.




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