ADHD / ADD

CHARACTERISTICS AND STRATEGIES FOR INTERVENTION

James River Special Education

What Is the Difference Between ADHD and ADD?

¨ ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the term used in (DSM-IV-TR) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders .

¨ ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is the older term from the DSM-III R.

Treatment and Causes¨ ADHD is a chronic biobehavioral disorder

manifested in childhood, characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, or inattention.

¨ Therapy may include medication, behavioral therapy, and adjustments in day-to-day lifestyle activities.

¨ Heredity explains much of ADHD-like behavior.

¨ About 8-10% of children have been diagnosed with ADHD.

What type of ADHD does this

child have?

1. Inattentive Type

¨ Doesn’t attend to details;

¨ Can’t stay focused;¨ Doesn’t follow

through;¨ Can’t organize;¨ Gets distracted; ¨ Loses things.

2. Hyperactive-impulsive Type ¨ Fidgets, squirms;¨ Runs around or climbs constantly;¨ Has trouble playing

quietly;¨ Blurts out answers;¨ Has trouble waiting his/

her turn;¨ Has trouble starting or changing tasks.

3. Combined Type ¨ Doesn't pay attention; ¨ Doesn't seem to listen; ¨ Is easily distracted;¨ Is disorganized;¨ Fidgets, runs or climbs;¨ Talks continually;¨ Avoids difficult tasks;¨ Doesn’t consider consequences.

What does this mean for the child in school?

¨ Kids with ADHD may be delayed 30% of their actual age in ability to pay attention and remember.

¨ They are not able to focus and use self-control.

¨ They can’t sit and concentrate on instruction.

How can I help this child?

¨ Use behavior management strategies at home and at school;

¨ Request classroom accommodations;

¨ Use doctor-recommended medications;

¨ Facilitate information exchange between doctors, school andhome.

Support at Home and School

¨ Set up regular routine for homework.

¨ Schedule regular breaks for activity every 10 or 15 minutes.

¨ Offer rewards or incentives for doing homework.

Support at Home and School

¨ Give non-judgmental, constructive feedback.

¨ Provide high interest books and materials.

¨ Use an assignment book.

Communication

¨ Use a home-school communication system;

¨ Hold student-parent-teacher meetings;¨ Assist teachers in using the student’s

strengths and talents at school.

School Issues ¨ Off-task behavior;¨ Disorganization;¨ Sloppy work;¨ Not following directions;¨ Errors;¨ Disruptive behavior;¨ Daydreaming;¨ Social interaction difficulties.

AD/HD-Related Memory Problems

¨ Working memory

¨ Retrieval

Organization Difficulties· Time management;

· Prioritizing work;

· Reading/listening comprehension;

· Note taking;

· Study skills;

· Multi-step tasks.

Classroom & Instructional Accommodations

¨ Physical arrangement of room and schedule;

¨ Incorporate technology with oral instruction;

¨ Accept alternate assignments;¨ Teach skills needed.

Testing Accommodations¨ Provide study guides;

¨ Change evaluation methods to suit the child's learning styles and strengths;

¨ Allow use of technology (calculator, word-processor).

Grade Accommodations

¨ Mark correct answers;

¨ Base grades on standards with adaptations;

¨ Specify skills mastered.

Homework ¨ Limit homework; ¨ Give adapted assignments;¨ Allow extra credit;¨ Allow work at school;¨ Provide written explanation;¨ Assign a study buddy; ¨ Provide reminders about due dates;¨ Utilize school website.

Organization¨ Allow time for locker/ backpack

organization;¨ Organize materials and assignments;¨ Use daily and weekly organization and

clean up routines; ¨ Use a 3-ring binder;

¨ Follow-through.

Self-control¨ Prepare student for transitions;¨ Display rules;¨ Give behavior prompts;¨ Have clear consequences;¨ Provide time to de-stress;¨ Allow mindless motor movement;¨ Use activity rewards;¨ Provide supervision.

Working Memory¨ Focus on one concept; ¨ List steps;¨ Write work down;¨ Use reading guides;¨ Teach note-taking;¨ Provide study guides;¨ Let student use computer.

Memory Retrieval

¨ Teach memory devices;

¨ Practice sorting main ideas and details;

¨ Teach information and organization skills;

¨ Use accommodations such as grouping, mneomics, chuking, and word banks

Attention Getters and Keepers

¨ Repeat directions;¨ Increase task structure;

¨ Highlight, color code and teach keyword underlining skills;

¨ Summarize key information;

¨ Give visual cues;

¨ Have class start together.

Problems sticking with and finishing tasks:

¨ Add interest and activity;

¨ Divide tasks into segments;

¨ Shorten tasks.

Advocate for your child

¨ Become knowledgeable about ADHD;

¨ Discuss ADHD, using books or Web sites;

¨ Share management strategies in community.

The End

References¨ www.medicinenet.com/

attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_adhd/article.htm¨ National Attention Deficit Disorder Association¨ The National Institute of Mental Health¨ www.ncld.org - Learning Disabilities Association of America¨ www.LDOnLine.com - an award-winning Web site offering

in-depth information, audio and video clips, expert advice and a monthly newsletter for parents and professionals and for children and adults with LD and/or ADHD

¨ CHADD Support Groups for ADHD – www.chadd.org.¨ The National Dissemination Center for Children with

Disabilities – www.NICHCY.org