The Importanceof Teachers having Prior Knowledge of their Students with ADHD's Life Experiences

We read and/or have read many descriptions or models of ADHD, some of which have defined ADHD in a similar fashion and others that have offered varied descriptions. In my experience over many years of teaching children with ADHD as well as in my field research, I have found that most children with ADHD do not fit into a specific diagnostic category. Therefore, teachers must be cognizant of the specific and unique behavioral characteristics of each child with ADHD.

 Even though most children with ADHD are distractible, for example, not all are impulsive. Additionally, they do not all have social skills problems, although arguably, a large percentage of children with ADHD do.  However, some of these children may exhibit organizational difficulties, among other symptoms. Being familiar with the types of symptoms that a child exhibits reflects whether or not a teacher has background or prior knowledge of the child’s real-life experiences.

 If a teacher does have this knowledge, she will likely be able to help the child

with ADHD learn how to manage his behavior, so he can attend more effectively to his teacher’s instructions. Additionally, as part of that prior knowledge, a teacher will know if the child interrupts others’ conversations.

 If the teacher has prior knowledge of her student’s behavior, she will also be able to look into the possibility that other children may reject and ostracize the child with ADHD. If the child is indeed rejected by his peers, he will have a very difficult time trying to make friends.

  If he has difficulty making friends, his self-esteem will be negatively affected. Presumably, he will also have difficulty interacting with adults in a reciprocal way, which will generalize to his experiencing great difficulty obtaining a job.

 Therefore, when the teacher has prior knowledge of her student’s background, behavior and life experiences, she will be more successful in terms of helping a student with ADHD to succeed socially, and therefore, increase his positive self- esteem.