I know that it may seem hard to believe, but children with ADHD need stimulation so that they can achieve hyperfocus. In fact, oftentimes, if a child with ADHD does not find stimulation, he stimulates himself, for example, by tapping a pencil on his desk, by spinning his chair, etc. Therefore, some children with ADHD might respond to the school environment that you describe as distracting to your son, as one that instead, is stimulating.
However, if your child finds his current school environment too distracting, he may need a more structured environment, where every component of that context is consistent and constant. Due to the tenuous economic situation in which our schools find themselves, it may be difficult to find a public school with smaller classes, unfortunately. If cost is not an issue, then I would suggest a private school, which will most typically have smaller classes. I would suggest one with a person who is an expert in academic support, however.
If private school is not an option, then perhaps find a town which would be characterized by a smaller population than the one in which your child’s school is currently located. If the population is not as large, then it is likely that the classes would be smaller.
Even more important, however than the number of students in a class, is the organization, structure, consistency, and predictability of the teaching, the classroom subjects, the classroom materials as well as the activities in which the children are involved.
An example of that consistency, are rules for the children’s behavior that have been written in a positive tone and are based on a collaborative effort of the teacher and the students. These rules must be followed by everyone consistently.
In addition to classroom rules, the teacher’s lessons should be designed according to the developmentally appropriate needs of each child, as well as to each child’s individual learning styles, learning strengths and needs.
In order to help the child with ADHD to focus optimally, the teacher should have the child’s desk as close to her desk as possible, without stigmatizing the child. Additionally, the child with ADHD should not be seated next to a child who has similar behavioral issues.
So what am I really saying? The appearance of the school as well as the number of the students in each class, is not nearly as important as whether or not the child’s needs are being met by a teacher who is extremely organized, consistent and patient in terms of the symptoms that a child with ADHD exhibits. Therefore, when you look for a new school for your child, I would look to see if the teachers who are working with your child are warm, organized, consistent, patient, and knowledgeable of how important it is to teach children with ADHD inclusive of emotional intelligence. Our children need to talk about how they feel and desperately need someone to listen to them.
Comments?
thanks for responding! I appreciate your time that goes into this blog! We are headed into 3rd grade, a grade I hear is make or break for kids with ADHD and I am starting to freak out and it's not even September yet! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the positive comments regarding my blog! I so appreciate your kind words. I have to spend time writing it, and I will tell you my reasoning. I know all too well that there are great parents out there who are struggling in terms of helping their children with ADHD to manage their symptoms, their academics as well as their social skills. They need their questions answered, as well as possible interventions that they can try that hopefully will work.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much time until September, Janel. Children mature tremendously during the summer, especially, if they continue reading each day, as well as staying busy with activities that will be stimulating to them. Try to take one day at a time. It will not do you or your child any good if you begin to worry now about what may or may not occur in September. By the way, no grade is the definitive breaking point for children with ADHD! I promise!!!!
Just FYI, researchers at the NIH found in a longitudinal study that children with ADHD are developmentally behind by approximately three years, which will hopefully explain your child’s behavior to you. That being said, teachers require that every student in the class complete their work, rightfully so. They may understand this immaturity, but have to require that children with ADHD adhere to the same requirements as everyone else.
However, children with ADHD should receive some accommodations in terms of the pace and/or the amount of their work that has to be completed at one time, as well as where they do their work, etc.
I would have to know the details about your son and the symptoms of his ADHD, before I would be able to suggest any interventions. If you tell me about your son’s symptoms and/or difficulties, I will try to come up with some suggestions that will help to diminish his inappropriate and/or nonproductive behavior. By the way, are you a follower on my blog? I do not see you listed.
thanks for your comments! I subscribe via Google reader so I'm not sure why I wouldn't be listed. Hmm... Funny you should mention the NIH study - we are participants in their ADHD young child study and they have been very very helpful. They diagnosed my son with ADD combined type. He also falls into what I've learned is "2E" since he his IQ is in the 95th percentile and his processing is in the 20th percentile. So far he is a happy go lucky guy although I really don't think the school personnel fully understands what ADHD is like. I think the environment of the school is working against him (open classrooms, constant interruption, etc).
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