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Tutoring Students With ADHD. By Kenneth Stefano, PsyD kstefano@spodakstefano.com. What is ADHD?. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ATTENTION Focus, concentration, screening out/ignoring distractions DEFICIT Inaccurate name – more a problem with regulating attention HYPERACTIVITY
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Tutoring Students With ADHD By Kenneth Stefano, PsyD kstefano@spodakstefano.com
What is ADHD? • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder • ATTENTION • Focus, concentration, screening out/ignoring distractions • DEFICIT • Inaccurate name – more a problem with regulating attention • HYPERACTIVITY • Restless, fidgety, impulsive, poorly controlled • DISORDER • Causes problems in school, home, and/or community
What is ADHD? • ADHD is NOT the result of: • Laziness • Poor nutrition • Bad parenting • Lack of self-discipline • ADHD is the result of: • Heredity (your genes) and biology (how your brain develops)
What Causes ADHD? • Top 3 genetically predisposed disorders • 65-75 percent of cases • Many genes under investigation • Probably a combination of genes needed to develop ADHD • Cause areas of brain to develop differently • Motor areas develop faster • Control areas develop slower
Biology • Some ADHD is biological • About 25-30 percent, due to : • Premature birth • Exposure to toxin • Alcohol, cigarettes, lead, infection • Brain injury • Side effect of cancer chemotherapy
3 Types of ADHD • Hyperactive-Impulsive Type • Fidgets and squirms • Can’t stay seated • Runs, climbs, or acts restless • Talks excessively • Blurts out answers • Can’t wait turn • Interrupts or intrudes on others
3 Types of ADHD • Inattentive Type • Makes careless mistakes/misses details • Difficulty sustaining attention or listening • Does not follow through with or finish tasks • Difficulty organizing tasks/activities • Avoids homework, chores, other boring tasks • Loses things easily • Easily distracted by sights, sounds, etc. • Forgetful
3 Types of ADHD • Combined Type • A combination of inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms • Most common type
What Does ADHD Look Like? • Tapping desk, shaking feet, swinging legs • Can’t stay seated • Goes to bathroom, gets a drink, etc. • Rushes through work • Makes careless errors • Can’t stop talking • Interrupts • Starts conversations
What Does ADHD Look Like? • Works slowly • Acts bored, wants to stop early • Responds to sounds, sights, etc. • Asks off-topic questions • Is not prepared • Doesn’t have materials • Doesn’t know assignment • Gets easily frustrated
What Does ADHD Look Like • Inconsistent performance • Some days student works well, other days student can’t focus at all • Forgets previously learned procedures
Strategies • Check in with parent • Did student take medication today? • How was student’s day at school? • Has student had a snack, play break, etc. before session? • What strategies do parents use to help student focus/behave?
Strategies • Be prepared • Have extra supplies handy (e.g., pencils, erasers, calculator, etc). • Bring along a “fidget toy” (e.g., stress ball or Koosh ball) so student can channel excess energy. • Have clear expectations for behavior • Provide a list of “rules” • Make rule list visible
Strategies • Communication skills • Speak softly and slowly • Get eye-contact before speaking • Move closer to student when giving instructions • Have student repeat instructions
Strategies • Communication skills, cont. • Provide frequent praise • Be clear and firm when student gets off task • Tell student what you want them to DO, not what you want them to NOT DO • E.g., say “please sit still” instead of “stop fidgeting”
Strategies • Be organized • Have a schedule of the session’s activities. • Make the schedule visible (allow student to cross off activities as session progresses) • Change activities often – at least every 15 minutes • Provide “reward” at end of session if student is compliant (e.g., listen to a song, play a quick game of Uno, etc.)
Strategies • Manage the environment • Minimize distractions • No TV's/radios on • Have session in low traffic area • Keep work area clear • Only have out what you are working on • Present only a few problems at a time • Rewrite problems from a work sheet onto several sheets • Allow student to stand while working or walk around in between problems
Strategies • Build in breaks • Allow for brief movement between activities • Jumping jacks • Healthy snack • For younger students (5th-6th grade) • Consider using a sticker or token chart • Use a clock/timer to help student stay on task
Take Away • ADHD kids are not lazy • Be Prepared • Be creative and flexible