[ADD/ADHD] [Attention Disorders]

[Adlet Nkiwane]

EDGR 535 Theories of Teaching and Learning.

Concordia University

Dr. Karyl Davis

13-12-14

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What is ADHD?

It is the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder characterised by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It is common in children.

Teachers may know about ADHD but they do not know how to deal with it.

Dealing with ADHD

If you have found medication that works make sure your child is covered all day everyday.

Set up firm and clear routines.

Make sure the rewards suit the ADHD child.

Know what to do if it doesn’t work.

Keep rewards and discipline system separate.

Make sure you have the child’s attention first before you say anything; ADHD kids have

short attention spans and struggle to pay attention.

When speaking use as few words as is possible

Use the three step procedure for misbehaviour

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Step 1- awareness

Step 2- warning

Step 3- consequences

Decide a firm boundary for time out.

Do not expect things to work out immediately.

Learn how to speak to ADHD kids. Praise a behaviour you want the child to adopt.

Never ignore bad behaviour.

Avoid all junk food, if your ADHD child is eating junk then most behavior intervention will be pointless.

Exercise regularly.

Limit television time.

Colour-code their all their books.

Never send them to their room; toys will distract them.

Colour code all their school books

What is the role of a teacher in the ADHD cases?

Teachers are often the first to recognize or suspect ADHD in children.

Teachers are constantly in touch with the children. They are expected to report any behaviour

That is out of the norm to the school psychologist or parent about their concerns.

Teachers cannot diagnose ADHD. They can tell a parent what they have noticed.

They evaluate the child’s behaviour on standardized behaviour scales, at the request of the diagnosing professional; psychiatrist or social worker.

The child’s teacher is important in carrying out the behavioral part of the treatment plan.

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Parenting strategies for kids with ADHD

Stay calm.

Set limits on your own behaviour.

Set structure but make it pressure free.

Give the child a chance to make wise choices.

Use reasonable consequences for rule breaking.

Expect rule breaking and do not take it personally.

Advocate for your child when appropriate.

Drawing on their Learning Strengths

Students with learning disabilities do have learning strengths and are sometimes gifted in spatial awareness, logical thinking/reason and visualization.

These students are frequently hands on, visual learners by nature and would benefit greatly from the use of the manipulative (pattern blocks, base ten blocks, interlocking cubes and other graphing activities.

Teaching Mathematics through hands on, cooperative problem solving approach.

Mathematical procedures taught should be related to situations in which they are required.

Teachers are encouraged to use cooperative learning to allow students to make discoveries together.

Try graphing on regular basis.

Include many estimation activities.

Make Mathematics hand-on; contextualize highly interactive, interconnected, systematic, engaging, interesting and understandable.

Incorporate word problems throughout the lesson instead of adding them at the end.

Analyse the problem areas then teach that are needed the most.

Explicitly teach, illustrate and maintain word wall math vocabulary, particularly those that cause confusion for students.

Do not feel like a failure; accept that you are doing your best under the circumstances.

Celebrate being a parent and being with your child- do not let ADHD rob you of your joys of being a parent.

Focus your child’s strengths

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Poor eating habits don't cause attention deficit disorder, but research suggests a strong relationship between ADHD and the food you consume. Find out what foods and supplements make a diet ADD-friendly — and what may make ADHD symptoms worse.

Deficiencies in certain types of foods can worsen ADHD symptoms in children and adults. An ADHD diet that ensures you're getting adequate levels of the right foods optimizes brain function.

Protein. Foods rich in protein — lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy,

“Because the body makes brain-awakening neurotransmitters when you eat protein, start your day with a breakfast that includes it,” says Laura Stevens, M.S., a nutritionist at Purdue University and author of 12 Effective Ways to Help Your ADD/ADHD Child. “Don’t stop there. Look for ways to slip in lean protein during the day, as well.”

IMPACT OF DIET ON ADHD

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Diagnosing ADHD If you think you or your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you might want to consider speaking to your GP about it. If you are worried about your child, it may help to speak to their teachers before seeing your GP, to find out if they have any concerns about your child's behaviour. Your GP can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment, if necessary. When you see your GP, they may ask you:

• About your symptoms or those of your child

• When these symptoms started

• Where the symptoms occur – for example, at home or in school

• Whether the symptoms affect your or your child’s day-to-day life – for example, if they make socialising difficult

• If there have been any recent significant events in your or your child's life, such as a death or divorce in the family

• If there is a family history of ADHD

• About any other problems or symptoms of different health conditions you or your child may have

• You were not diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but your symptoms began during childhood and have been ongoing since then

• Your symptoms cannot be explained by a mental health condition

• Your symptoms have a significant impact on your day-to-day life – for example, if you are underachieving at work or find intimate relationships difficult

Next steps If your GP thinks your child may have ADHD, they may first suggest a period of "watchful waiting" lasting around 10 weeks – to see if your child's symptoms improve, stay the same or get worse. They may also suggest starting a parent training or education program to teach you ways of helping your child (see treating ADHD for more information). If your child's behaviour doesn't improve, and both you and your GP thinks it is seriously affecting their day-to-day life, your GP should refer you and your child to a specialist for a formal assessment (see below).

For adults with possible ADHD, your GP will assess your symptoms and may refer you for an assessment if:

Assessment There are a number of different specialists you or your child may be referred to for a formal assessment, including:

• A child or adult psychiatrist

• A paediatrician (a specialist in children's health)

• A learning disability specialist, social worker or occupational therapist with expertise in ADHD

Who you are referred to will depend on your age and what is available in your local area. There is no simple test to determine whether you or your child have ADHD, but your

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+ A specialist can make an accurate diagnosis after a detailed assessment that may include:

• A physical examination, which can help rule out other possible causes for the symptoms

• A series of interviews with you or your child

• Interviews or reports from other significant people, such as partners, parents and teachers

Impact of ADHD on other learners

"The risk of adverse cardiac effects of ADHD medication is real and should not be forgotten.

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Contact details Adlet Nkiwane 27 Pearson Street Eshowe 3815 Cellphone numbers; 0724869429 Telephone numbers; 0354740025 ankiwane@gmail.com

Websites

http://www.ehow.com/how_6210514_write-bibliography-brochure.html

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20140703/adhd-drugs-may-up-risk-of-heart-problems-in-kids-study-finds

https://www.google.co.za/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=teaching%20adhd%20children%20logical%20thinking

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/when-teacher-recognizes-adhd-symptoms

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6552.html

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20140703/adhd-drugs-may-up-risk-of-heart-problems-in-kids-study-finds

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20140703/adhd-drugs-may-up-risk-of-heart-problems-in-