Teaching Children With ADHD

Teaching children with ADHD or ADD can be quite challenging for teachers, and for parents who are working with them at home. Children with ADHD are usually inattentive, impulsive and in most cases hyperactive which hinders them when the time comes for learning.

It is usually after they enroll their kids in school that parents find out that their child has ADHD. The bad grades come home along with negative notes from the teachers and complaints from the child that they are being teased and picked on. Overall it’s a very sad situation for everyone involved.

Teachers will tell parents that they spend their entire day trying to control the ADD/ADHD child and often fail to get them to participate in classwork. Instead, the child is off in a daze, talking to others or bouncing around doing their own thing. And when the ADD/ADHD child does get involved in classroom activities, they often shout out answers or run up to the board to contribute in an inappropriate way.

But there is hope for teachers and parents who aim to help a struggling ADD/ADHD child succeed.

ADHD alone is NOT a learning disability and in most cases special education classes are not necessary. But sometimes properly teaching children with ADD/ADHD could require placing them in the right school. If you can afford it, consider one of the special schools throughout the United States that are specifically designed for teaching children with ADHD and other types of conditions that are NOT categorized as learning disabilities. Instead these children are intelligent beings who have learning "differences".


Click Here For a List of Schools That Teach Children with ADD/ADHD

For parents who are home schooling or just looking for a way to give their child that extra help at home, you should consider Time 4 Learning. This online home education program combines learning with fun educational teaching games.

Some ADD/ADHD children when faced with text books or non-interactive environments appear disinterested. But, when faced with an interactive system like Time 4 Learning they are often successful at focusing and learning. The computer is very engaging and this online program teaches reading, math, science and social studies for pre-school through 8th grade. It’s a must for teaching children with ADHD.

If you live in the UK, The Home School is a great resource for learning more about home schooling in your area. It is a free online magazine for home educators to input ideas, exchange information and chat to others. You can send them your recommendations and comments about all aspects of home schooling. There are printable worksheets, lesson ideas and reviews on books and fun days out.

We cannot forget about the teachers who need guidance on teaching children with ADD/ADHD in regular schools. Here are some tips:

• You can start by placing the child at the front of the classroom where there are very few distractions. You may even place them close to the teacher’s desk or near the place where the instructions are given, but only if it’s at the front of the room. DO NOT place them near a window or near a door where they can look out into the hallway.

• Stand close to the ADD/ADHD child when handing out instructions or presenting lessons and confirm with them that they understand. Try not to draw too much attention to them, but make sure they give you eye contact.

• Seat the quiet child or very smart child next to the ADHD child. This other child will become a role model for the ADD child to follow.

• Give directions one at a time. Retention of a series of instructions can be difficult even for a child who does not have attention deficit disorder.

• Allow them to think out loud. This will give the teacher some insight into their reasoning, and it will slow them down and prevent them from acting impulsively.

• ADHD children are easily bored so if they have mastered something, allow them to help you teach.

• When giving tests, allow your ADHD student to sit at a desk that is facing a wall and given them a little extra time to complete their work.

• If available, allow the Teacher’s Assistant to keep the ADD/ADHD child on task.

• Develop a reward system. Behavior that is rewarded tends to reoccur. The type of reward should change often to make it more exciting.

• Treat the ADD/ADHD student with respect and remind them that you are there to help.

• Do not draw too much attention to them if they have to leave the classroom to take medication. Taking medication can be a source for teasing if other kids find out that a child is off taking their meds.

• Report changes in behavior to parents or school administrators. There may be medication issues that doctors may need to be made aware of.

• Seatwork can be grueling for an ADD/ADHD child. Allow them to take frequent breaks and move around in and outside of the classroom as long as it is not a distraction for others in the class.

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