Feb

15

Helping Kids With ADHD Cope in the Classroom

Filed Under "At-risk" students, Special Education, The Way I See It 

brain.jpgWe’re a couple of weeks into the new semester and classroom teachers are starting to come to see me to ask for advice. Mostly they’re asking what they can do to help the spec. ed. kids in their classroom. Today, I had a few questions about ADHD kids. You know, the kids who can’t seem to sit still. I tell these kids that their brains are working too well.( I know my explanation is highly nontechnical and may be only partly right, but it makes the point) They notice everything- a pencil that get’s dropped, a person walking past in the hall , a bird flying by the window, the noise of the fan , the fact that I have chalk on my sweater, etc. Their brain does not filter things out. They notice it all. Well, if you notice everything, it’s hard to stay focused on anything. You can’t , so you move from one thing to another and that looks like not paying attention to the teacher, not focusing on your work etc. But really, you’re focussing on everything.

Students understand the problem quite well when I put it this way. I tell them that it would help them if they could sit in the class so as to minimize distractions. Don’t sit near the door, the window, the pencil sharpener , any other figidty kids or anywhere there’s movement. Personally, I can’t stand it when people walk by in the hall when I’m working which is a wee bit of a problem since I’m a teacher. I find movement very distracting, but I’ve learned to cope. I shut the classroom door part way so I can’t see the people walking by. I also tell teachers and kids that the kids should be listening to music to filter out all the other distractions. When a student puts on their earphones their music is like white noise and lets them concentrate on their work. Of course they can’t listen to music when a teacher is teaching, then they need to make eye contact with the teacher to help limit the distractions. I’ve written about this here before, and I’m still arguing about it at work.

Comments

5 Responses to “Helping Kids With ADHD Cope in the Classroom”

  1. Sherri Fisher on February 16th, 2007 3:27 pm

    Hi, Elona–

    I saw your comment on the Positive Psychology Daily News and wanted you to know that there are two organizations that specialize in bringing Positive Psychology to the field of education. Both are staffed by graduates of UPennMAPP and you might want to look at them:

    http://www.flourishingschools.org and www/studentflourishing.com

    The former site is in development. The consultant coaches work directly with schools.

    For example, a three-day on-site workshop introduces Positive Psychology constructs and research for schools, including

    Measuring and developing character strengths and virtues
    Learning tools for building optimism and resilience
    Practicing positive mis-remembering
    Developing positive affect in relationships
    Building hope in a struggling community
    Conducting an Appreciative Inquiry
    Setting positive goals
    Understanding Appreciative Intelligence approaches

    Student Flourishing is an educational management coaching practice for children and families. Visit http://www.studentflourishing.com. The Parents Page is a blog with more information.

    I’m so glad that you visit http://www.pos-psych.com. :-) Sherri

  2. Elona on February 16th, 2007 4:44 pm

    Sherri, there’s so much I agree with when I read your site. It’s amazing! We are definitely on the same page. I have taught many kids who have benefited from the positive approach of working from their strengths. I wish you were sitting across the table from me right now so we could share stories about kids and parents we’ve helped. It’s so rewarding to be told that you have made a difference in someone’s life. I’ve had special ed. students tell me that half of their high school diploma should go to me because we worked as a team. I’ve had parents tell me I’ve been a life saver for helping their child use his strengths to succeed. It really is rewarding.

  3. military mom on September 30th, 2008 10:37 pm

    I am a mother of a son who was diagnosed with ADHD, and I am afraid to tell the school, b/c of the stigma attached to it, I swear when they learn , they automatically see the ADHD Kid and not my son

  4. Elona Hartjes on October 1st, 2008 4:24 am

    Military Mom,
    I understand your concern. Y

  5. Elona Hartjes on October 1st, 2008 5:06 am

    Military Mom,
    I understand your concern. Let me be honest here, your son’s teachers are probably seeing the symptoms of his ADHD whether you tell the school or not. Lots of kids have ADHD symptoms. Lots of teachers have ADHD symptoms. Lots of teachers have kids who have ADHD symptoms. You’d be surprised.

    I guess as a special ed teacher, I’m grateful for any and all information parents share with me because it helps me better understand the student. Once I understand the student then I can help the student be more successful.

    There are lots of accommodations that the classroom teacher can make that would help your son in the classroom. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing his diagnosis, maybe you could share strategies that help him focus with his teachers- does better when he’s seated away from distractions, does better if he can get up and move around a bit so, does better when listening to music on his ipod, etc. I often ask parents what they’ve noticed at home that helps their child stay on task.

    There are lots of successful people who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Just do a google search and you’ll see.

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