Adhd, Your Child and School

Hyperactive children seem to be on the go all the time. Running around touching or playing with whatever they see in sight. They can talk constantly and squirm and fidget in their seats. Internally restless, they often feel the need and stress the need to stay busy.

Impulsive behavior is another symptom of ADHD. Impulsive children will often blurt our inappropriate comments, display emotions and act without regard for the consequences of their conduct. Signs of hyperactivity-impulsivity are feeling restless, squirming while seated, running, climbing, or getting up from their seats when quite behavior is expected, blurting out answers out of turn, can't wait in line or take turns.

Children who are inattentive get bored easily with a task or assignment only after a few minutes into it. They have a hard time keeping their minds on one thing. Homework is very hard for these children. They might forget to write down an assignment, or leave it at school, or bring the wrong one home. If they do finish homework, it is often full of errors. This can be frustrating for you and your child. Signs of inattention are being easily distracted by other sights and sounds, not paying attention to details and rarely following instructions and forgetting the tools necessary to complete the assignment.

Here are 8 suggestions you can share with your child's teachers for classroom success.

*Be sensitive to self-esteem issues: Performing tasks in public may be too difficult for your child, so ask the teacher to provide feedback privately for your child if needed.

*Positive reinforcement: Ask the teacher to offer praise. For instance, be on the lookout for positive behaviors such as your child staying seated, doesn't call out, but waits his or her turn instead of criticizing when he or she doesn't.

*Have a folder for homework and parent-teacher communications: This is a excellent way to make sure all homework is completed on time and to keep in contact with your child's teacher.
 
*Assignment breakdowns: Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces and keep instructions for these tasks clear and brief.

*Teaching good study skills: To help your child stay focused and retain information, reading out loud, note taking and underlining really helps keep your child's mind on the task at hand.
 
*Supervise: Paring your child with a "Buddy" can help them stay on track. Just to make sure that they come and go from school with the right books and materials for the day.

*Involvement of the school counselor or Psychologist: They can address behavioral programs specific to the problems in the classroom.

*Seating distractions: Distractions in the classroom can be lessoned as easily as seating your child near the teacher instead of near a window.

Something for you to consider also is that children with ADHD and ADD are eligible for special services or accommodations at school under "IDEA" the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, and the anti-discrimination law known as Section 504.

For more information on further ADHD treatment and help with your ADHD child, please visit my website.