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Attention deficit disorder is a syndrome characterized by serious and persistent difficulties in the following three specific areas: 1. Attention span. 2. Impulse control. 3. Hyperactivity (sometimes). ADD is a chronic disorder that can begin in infancy and extend through adulthood, having negative effects on a child's life at home, school, and within the community. It is conservatively estimated that 3 to 5 percent of our school-age population is affected by ADD. The condition previously fell under the headings, "learning disabled," "brain damaged," "hyperkinetic," or "hyperactive." The term attention deficit disorder was introduced to describe the characteristics of these children more clearly. DIAGNOSIS OF ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) According to the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., rev.) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), to be diagnosed as having ADD/ADHD, the clinician must note the presence of at least 6 of the 9 following criteria for either Attention Span or Hyperactivity/Impulsivity. Attention Span Criteria * Pays little attention to details; makes careless mistakes * Has short attention span * Does not listen when spoken to directly * Does not follow instructions; fails to finish tasks * Has difficulty organizing tasks * Avoids tasks that require sustained mental effort * Loses things * Is easily distracted * Is forgetful in daily activities Hyperactivity Criteria * Fidgets; squirms in seat * Leaves seat in classroom when remaining seated is expected * Often runs about or climbs excessively at inappropriate times * Has difficulty playing quietly * Talks excessively Impulsivity Criteria * Blurts out answers before questions are completed * Has difficulty awaiting turn * Often interrupts or intrudes on others ESTABLISHING THE PROPER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - Seat students with ADD near the teacher's desk, butinclude them as part of the regular class seating. * Place these students up front with their backs to therest of the class to keep other students out of view. * Surround students with ADD with good role models.
- Encourage peer tutoring and cooperative/collaborativelearning. * Avoid distracting stimuli. Try not to place studentswith ADD near air conditioners, high traffic areas, heaters,or doors or windows. * Children with ADD do not handle change well, so avoidtransitions, physical relocation (monitor them closely onfield trips), changes in schedule, and disruptions. * Be creative! Produce a stimuli-reduced study area.Let all students have access to this area so the studentwith ADD will not feel different. * Encourage parents to set up appropriate study space at home, with set times and routines established for study,parental review of completed homework, and periodic notebook and/or book assignments each day. If a student is not capable of this, the teacher should help him or her.
- sign the notebook daily to signify completion of homework assignments. (Parents should also sign.)
- Use the notebook for daily communication with parents.
GIVING ASSIGNMENTS Give out only one task at a time. * Monitor frequently. Maintain a supportive attitude. * Modify assignments as needed. Consult with specialeducation personnel to determine specific strengths andweaknesses of each student. * Develop an individualized education program. * Make sure you are testing knowledge and not attentionspan. * Give extra time for certain tasks. Students with ADDmay work slowly. Do not penalize them for needing extratime. * Keep in mind that children with ADD are easilyfrustrated. Stress, pressure, and fatigue can break downtheir self-control and lead to poor behavior. MODIFYING BEHAVIOR AND ENHANCING SELF-ESTEEM Providing Supervision and Discipline: * Remain calm, state the infraction of the rule, andavoid debating or arguing with the student. * Have preestablished consequences for misbehavior. * Administer consequences immediately, and monitor properbehavior frequently. * Enforce classroom rules consistently.
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