Attention Deficit Disorder

1. Attention Deficit Disorder A syndrome, usually diagnosed in childhood, characterized by a persistent pattern of impulsiveness, a short attention span, and often hyperactivity, and interfering especially with academic, occupational, and social performance.

2. Characteristics • Difficulty sitting quietly, staying in one place, listening, paying attention, or concentrating • Easily distracted • Frequently off task or off topic • Can be moody or socially inept • Low tolerance for frustration • Highly disorganized • Impulsivity • May be unable to control aggression or emotions

3. Stop & Jot:Based on the characteristics, which students come to mind?

4. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Seat student front and center, away from distractions. Cue student to stay on task using a private signal. • Easily distracted by: • classroom activity • activity visible through windows or doors • daydreaming

5. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Seat student near good role model. Provide positive praise or adequate positive attention when student exhibits appropriate behavior. Ignore minor inappropriate behavior. Use a Behavior contract. • Engages in attention-seeking behavior (for positive or negative attention)

6. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Break assignments into smaller parts. Shorten assignments or work periods. • Does well at the beginning of an assignment, but quality decreases towards the end

7. Turn & Talk:* Which strategies have you tried and found successful? * Name a new strategy that you’d like to try on!

8. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Schedule a five-minute period to check over work before turning in homework, classwork, or tests. • Turns work in with careless errors

9. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Acknowledge correct answers only when hand is raised and student is called upon. Behavior contract for small increments of time. • Blurts out answers or interrupts others

10. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Send daily or weekly progress reports home. Provide frequent verbal praise. Implement a token economy. • Needs reinforcement

11. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Set up a behavior contract with short term, achievable goals and reinforcements, and track over time. • Needs long-term help with improving behavior.

12. Turn & Talk:* Which strategies have you tried and found successful? * Name a new strategy that you’d like to try on!

13. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Give student an accordion folder or binder. Use checklist on folder and contracts. • Can’t keep track of papers

14. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Allow student to run errands or be a class helper (paper monitor, light monitor, chart pointer, phone monitor, etc.). Allow student to stand at times while working. Allow child to move to different work stations. Allow child to lay on area rug to work. Allow child to sit on a buoyancy cushion or exercise ball. Allow child to squeeze a stress ball or use a tangle toy. • Needs to move around; fidgety

15. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Acknowledge appropriate behavior and good work frequently. Chunk work assignments (folding the paper back, do odd/even problems, do 2 rows, etc.). Allow extra time to complete assignments. Teach student to use coping strategies. • Is easily frustrated

16. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Chunk work assignments (folding the paper back, do odd/even problems, do 2 rows, etc.). Allow extra time to complete assignments. Allow the child to show mastery with fewer problems or items. • Is unable to complete work in a given time

17. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Pair written instructions with oral instructions. Provide visual cues. Chart instructions. Provide a checklist of tasks or steps for project completion. Have student repeat instructions without calling undue attention to him/her. • Has difficulty following instructions

18. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Provide teacher notes, PowerPoint/Keynote slides, or notes pages. Provide visual aids (e.g., cell phone photo of lesson charts). Provide peer assistance for note taking. Use turn and talk strategy frequently. Pre-teach or frontload the child with topic to encourage participation in oral discussion. • Unable to keep up with class discussion or note-taking

19. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Make connections to prior knowledge or real life applications. Provide verbal praise for positive participation. Try technology-based programs as instructional tools and/or reinforcers. Seek to involve them in lesson presentation. • Complains that lessons are boring or fails to see the point of a lesson or activity

20. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Provide positive, alternative responses to things that anger them. “I messages” – Model calm, assertive statements (“I don’t like it when you_____.” “Would you please stop?” “I need more time.” “Can you say that again, please?”). Take a break (walk away). Count to 10. Deep breathing exercises Take a minute to talk to the child to calm him or her down. Provide a “safety zone” where they can go to cool off. Give them a distracting task or errand. • Easily angered

21. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Record assignments on a chart, the board, or on the teacher web page. Have student use an agenda or assignment notebook. Peer or teacher checks recording of assignments. • Has trouble remembering assignments

22. How does it manifest in the classroom? Classroom Strategies Provide a defined work-space or seating space on area rug. Increase distance between desks. • Lacks awareness of others’ personal space

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