Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Definition
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that usually begins before or around the age of 7. ADHD is categorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as Otherwise Health Impaired (OHI). Children with ADHD have a normal to high IQ and struggle with sitting still, controlling behaviors, and paying attention. Doctors do not now the cause of ADHD but brain researchers are gaining a better understanding of what may cause ADHD. They believe that some people do not have enough chemicals, called neurotransmitters, in their brain. Researchers believe that these chemicals help the brain to control the behavior. Therefore, students in the school and home setting may need help in controlling these behaviors.
"As many as 5 out of every 100 children in school may have AD/HD. Boys are three
times more likely than girls to have AD/HD" (LD Online).
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Three Types of ADHD and Behaviors:
Hyperactive/Impulsive1. Fidgeting
2. Distractibility 3. Day Dreaming 4. Impulsive behavior 5. Talk too much 6. Blurt out answers before raising hand 7. Interrupt Tips for the Classroom1. Have a schedule and follow it
2. Announce changes to students 3. Have clear rules and relay and remind them to your students 4. Set goals with students 5. Do think-pair-shares with students so that energy can be "burned" and the student feels like s/he can share. 6. Have rewards and consequences 7. Allow students to have frequent breaks |
Inattention1. Loss of focus
2. Do not follow through on instructions 3. Easily distracted 4. Lack of organization Tips for the Classroom1. Break apart assignments into smaller
chunks for students to focus on 2. Allow frequent breaks for student's to be stand up and able to move. 3. Have a timer at a students desk. This can be used to make sure students stay on task for a certain amount of time or so they know when to move onto another problem or activity. 4. Have students check in with you so that you know how they are doing. |
Combined Type1. A combinde type of ADHD, students can display a combination of any of the characteristics stated in the other columns.
Tips for the Classroom1. Any of the tips in the columns to the right would be beneficial to use in the classroom with students that have a combined type of ADHD.
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Other Resources
The following are other resources that are useful in defining what ADHD is and other characteristics.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/Attention_Deficit/Hyperactivity_Disorder_Fact_Sheet
http://www.ldonline.org/article/Attention_Deficit/Hyperactivity_Disorder_Fact_Sheet
ADHD Fact Sheet | |
File Size: | 114 kb |
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