ADD / ADHD and School: Helping Children with ADHD Succeed at School - 2 views
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Kids with attention deficit disorder respond best to specific goals and daily positive reinforcement—as well as worthwhile rewards. Yes, you may have to hang a carrot on a stick to get your child to behave better in class. Create a plan that incorporates small rewards for small victories and larger rewards for bigger accomplishments.
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Alternate seated activities with those that allow the child to move his or her body around the room. Whenever possible, incorporate physical movement into lessons.
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Write important information down where the child can easily read and reference it. Remind the student where the information can be found. Divide big assignments into smaller ones, and allow children frequent breaks.
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Develop a “secret language” with the child with ADD/ADHD. You can use discreet gestures or words you have previously agreed upon to let the child know they are interrupting. Praise the child for interruption-free conversations.
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consequences immediately following misbehavior. Be specific in your explanation, making sure the child knows how they misbehaved.
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Recognize good behavior out loud. Be specific in your praise, making sure the child knows what they did right.
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Allow the child breaks as often as every ten to twenty minutes. Teach a better understanding of the passage of time: use an analog clock and timers to monitor homework efficiency.
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Provide a stress ball, small toy, or other object for the child to squeeze or play with discreetly at his or her seat.
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Read to children. Read with children. Make reading cozy, quality time with you. Make predictions or “bets.” Constantly ask the child what they think might happen next. Model prediction: “The girl in the story seems pretty brave—I bet she’s going to try to save her family.” Act out the story. Let the child choose his or her character and assign you one, too. Use funny voices and costumes to bring it to life.
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If you understand how your child with ADD/ADHD learns best, you can create enjoyable lessons that pack an informational punch.
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Establish a homework folder for finished homework. Check and help the child organize his or her belongings on a daily basis, including his or her backpack, folders, and even pockets. If possible, keep an extra set of textbooks and other materials at home. Help the child learn to make and use checklists, crossing items off as they are accomplished. Help organize loose papers by color coding folders and showing the child how to hole-punch and file appropriately.
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Neurological deficits, not unwillingness, keep kids with attention deficit disorder from learning in traditional ways.
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If you can work with and support your child’s teacher, you can directly affect the experience of your child with ADD/ADHD in the classroom.