Will and Lindsey

I’ve been working on this article for six hours now. It shouldn’t take that long but I keep getting distracted and start working on something else. Do I have AD(H)D? At times, we all may have trouble focusing, sitting still, or controlling an impulse. For some children, these issues are severe enough to interfere with their success at school or in relationships. Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder usually diagnosed in childhood. There are three subtypes of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive, and combined.

ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment

The notable behaviors of ADHD are impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. However, since most children are impulsive, hyperactive, and inattentive, diagnosis can be tricky. For children with ADHD, symptoms are more severe, more frequent, and interfere with normal academic or social functioning.

 If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, talk with your pediatrician. The doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or other health professional that is trained to diagnose ADHD.  There is no single test for ADHD. A thorough evaluation should be performed to rule out other possibilities. A proper assessment is a time consuming process. The evaluation will include talking with you to get a full developmental and medical history, as well as an assessment of your child’s academic, social, and emotional functioning. Usually this will involve checklists or feedback forms for the parents and teachers to complete. Additional tests may be performed depending on the practitioner.

 ADHD cannot be “cured”, but people can learn to manage their symptoms in order to function more successfully. There are several helpful internet resources that can direct you to more specific interventions. Medication can be effective, but it can be tricky maintaining the right medication and dose. Pre-adolescents are changing so rapidly that mediation might need to be adjusted several times. Although some claim that ADHD can be managed through diet, there is no research to support that conclusion.

Classroom Strategies

The hyperactive symptoms of ADHD can be distracting to other students and disrupt the educational process. Here are some suggestions for the classroom:

·        Clear the work area of unnecessary items

·        Offer the student an activity break pass (a quick trip to the water fountain gives them a chance to move around)

·        Provide a stress ball or other outlet for physical energy

·        Seat the student near others who are not easily distracted

·        Arrange a silent signal to alert the student that their behavior is distracting

·        Privately praise the student for responding to the signal or for appropriate behavior

·        Structure directions to remind students what TO do (rather than what not to do), “Walk silently to the front, keeping your hands to yourself.”

·        Have group stretch breaks

The inattentive symptoms of ADHD get less attention : ). These students may appear to be listening to the teacher while their mind is somewhere else. Children with inattentive ADHD tend to internalize and detach from situations. They can be overwhelmed by a task and have difficulty getting started. They can also have difficulty learning social skills needed to maintain friendships and the skills needed for negotiating with teachers. What might help?

·        Social skills training

·        Listening and communication skills training

·        High interest activities

·        Providing a quiet work area

·        Help from a peer or adult getting started on an activity

·        Getting students’ attention before giving directions

·        Interactive lessons that keep students involved

·        Preferential seating near the teacher

·        Offering choices of activity

·        Scheduling challenging classes when attention is greatest (usually in the morning)

·        Using advance organizers

Parents, you can help by letting the teachers know which strategies work best for your child. Students with ADHD usually struggle with organization, so set up a system for managing homework papers and provide appropriate supplies. Go through their backpack with them on a regular basis to keep papers organized.

 
Resources for Parents

Advocate for your child by learning as much as you can about ADHD. Work with your child’s pediatrician to get the right treatment. Work with your childs’ teachers to support them in school. There are terrific resources online to get you started. CHADD offers additional information on local resources as well as workshops, support groups, and conferences.

CHADD – Children and Adults with ADHD  (highly recommended)

http://chadd.org

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml

Please contact me if you have questions or would like to discuss this further.

Mish Denlinger

Counselor

Christensen Middle School

(925) 606-4702 x6578

East Avenue Middle School

(925) 606-4711 x6179

mdenlinger@livermore.k12.ca.us