ADD/ADHD

Special need	Special Need: Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Characteristics	ADHD/ADD is a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination. The disorder is commonly diagnosed as a behavioral disorder that affects about 5% of school aged children. ADHD/ADD is diagnosed much more often in boys than girls. Behavior problems such as, depression, lack of sleep, learning disabilities, and tic disorders are confused with ADHD. Most children that have ADHD/ADD will also have at least one other developmental or behavioral problem that includes depression or dipolar disorder. Symptoms of ADHD/ADD include lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Other symptoms that teachers may be able to pick up on is: fails to give close attention to details, difficultly keeping attention during task, does not seem to listen when spoken to directly, does not follow through on instructions, difficultly organizing tasks, avoids mental effort, often loses assignments and other material, easily distracted, fidgets, leaves seat, runs about the classroom, has difficultly playing quietly, blurts out, difficultly waiting turn, and interrupts others.
Misconceptions	Many children are incorrectly labeled with ADHD/ADD, and many children who do have ADHD/ADD remain undiagnosed. To become diagnosed the child must have at least 6 of the symptoms stated above before the age of 7. The symptoms must be present for at least 6 months, and the symptoms must be severe enough to cause difficulties at school or home. Some of the misconceptions include that food additives and diet, poor parenting, too much TV and video games causes these disorders. A common misconception among teachers is that they can correct the behavioral problems. Students with ADHD/ADD need professional therapists to treat the problem.
Resources	The American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidelines to bring clarity to the disorder, which is helpful to parents and teachers. National organizations that provide useful information include Attention Deficit Disorder Association, American Journal of Psychiatry, and Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia released an article that is helpful for both parents and teachers: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/.
Curricular Modification(s)	To support a student with ADD or ADHD, parental involvement can dramatically improve the student’s education. Knowing the best way the student learns and supporting work at home can optimize the chances for success. Being consistent as a teacher can reward the student as well, the student needs structure and clear expectations to keep their symptoms in check. Another way to helping these students is to seat the child away from doors and windows, alternate seated activities, write important information where the student can easily read, and divide big assignments into smaller ones. If the student is impulsive make sure to write a behavior plan near the student, given consequences immediately following misbehavior with an explanation, recognize good behavior out lout, and write the schedule on the board.