THE ADHD STUDENT IN YOUR CLASSROOM

April Stefaniak

Diagnosis DSM-IV Criteria for ADHD states:

Six or more of the nine criteria for inattention, present for at least six months and disruptive and inappropriate developmentally

Six or more of the nine criteria for hyperactivity/impulsivity present for at least six months and disruptive and inappropriate developmentally

Three types of ADHD: Combined type Predominantly Inattentive Type Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

Who has it?State prevalence 2007-2008

Other diagnoses to consider… Students with ADHD are likely to

carry other disorders/diagnoses: Learning Disabilities (30-50% of

diagnosed students) ODD (1/3 – ½ of all students) Conduct Disorder (20-40%) Anxiety and Depression Bipolar Disorder

Medications PrescribedSTIMULANT NONSTIMULANT SIDE EFFECTS

ADDERALL STRATTERA DECREASED APPETITE

CONCERTA NORPRAMIN PROBLEMS SLEEPING

FOCALIN WELLBUTRIN HEADACHE

RITALIN NEXICLON NAUSEA

State-Based Prevalence Data of Medication

Long-Term Prognosis with ADHD Inattention tends to persist through childhood

and adolescence and onto adulthood. Teens with severe ADHD since middle childhood

experience periods of anxiety or depression Many are more likely to drop out of school

So what can we do?!

ABC’s of a Successful

Classroom

for Children with

ADHD

A = Academic Instruction Be PREDICTABLE

Review the goals/objectives of the day Review previous lessons Set learning expectations Support the student’s participation in the classroom Check student performance Help students correct their own mistakes Lower noise level Divide work into smaller units Highlight key points CHECK assignments Preview the next lesson

B=Behavioral Interventions

Praise Define the appropriate behavior when giving Give immediately Be consistent and sincere

Inappropriate Behavior Selectively ignore Provide calming manipulatives Allow escape Peer mediation Proximity Tangible rewards Self-management Token economy

C=Classroom Accommodations Provide low-distraction work areas Use pointers Use egg timers Be sure furniture fits the student Utilize classroom lights for classroom

management Seat the student near the teacher or a

student role-model

Tips for Tests and Worksheets Tests

Frequently give short quizzes and avoid long tests. Provide practice tests. Using a tape recorder, have the student record test answers and

assignments or give the student oral examinations. Individual administration in a quiet area with frequent breaks will give

a more accurate assessment than group administration. Worksheets

Use large type. Make the important points easy for the student to find. Do not include visual destructors that are unrelated Use buff-colored paper rather than white if the room's lighting creates a

glare Write clear, simple directions. Underline key direction words or vocabulary

or have the students underline these words as you read directions with them.

Draw borders around parts of the page you want to emphasize.