What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder is a condition, often
identifiable in younger students,
that is associated with inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity.
There is no major evidence
proving ADHD is more prevalent in a particular race. However, when comparing boys
and girls, boys are more likely
to be diagnosed with ADHD. A
student with ADHD may have
more trouble learning in class,
but they will not qualify for special education unless he or she
has another disability that qualifies for special education.

Implications for
Teachers
Students in elementary school will show
symptoms of ADHD more often than older
students. Therefore, it is important for teachers
to watch for the symptoms and contact the parents of students who are showing signs of
ADHD to make them aware of the situation.
Students with ADHD will be in the general
classroom since they will not typically qualify
for special education. In light of this, teachers
should organize their classrooms and lessons
with these students in mind. Teachers can do
this by creating an organized classroom
environment that will not be too distracting or
stressful. Giving clear and concise directions
and adding variety to the lessons can help keep
the attention of the class. Rewarding good
behavior can control misbehavior.
Lastly,
providing encouragement for these students
will help them to be positive.

Sources
Friend, M. (2011). Students with Attenion DeficitHyperactivty Disoder. In Special
Education: Contemporary Perspectives for
School Professionals (3rd ed., pp. 163193, 503). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Slavin, R. (2015). Learners with Exceptionalities.
In Educational Psychology: Theory and
Practice (Eleventh ed., p. 309). Upper
Saddle RIver, New Jersey: Pearson.

Exceptionality
Resource Brochure

Attention
DeficitHyperactivity

Disorder
(ADHD)
Psychiatric disorder with
symptoms occurring before age
seven that includes a pervasive
and significant pattern of
inattention, impulsivity, and/or
hyperactivity-impulsivity.
(Friend,2011,p.503)

Family Support

What are the causes of

ADHD?
Research has shown that ADHD
is partly genetic, for it is a disorder
of the brain. Children with parents
or family members with ADHD are
more likely to inherit the disorder.
Environmental factors can make
symptoms more severe. If the
child is raised in a very structured
home then his or her symptoms
may not be as severe as a child
that grows up with little structure.
Lastly, some professionals have
looked into the correlation between ADHD and diet. Though
diet and food allergies have not
shown to be a cause for ADHD, it
appears that it does affect symptoms.

What does
ADHD look
like?
There are three types of ADHD:

ADHD-predominately
inattentive
type: Students with this type of
ADHD struggle with focusing their
attention for extended periods of
time.
In the classroom, these
students may skip parts of a large
assignment, daydream, or be
disorganized.

ADHD-predominately
hyperactiveimpulsive type: Students with this
type of ADHD are characterized by
impulsive actions and high levels of
activity. In the classroom, these students might fidget or get out of their
seat, run around the classroom, or
seem to never run out of energy.

ADHD-combined type:
Students
with this type of ADHD have symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.

As a teacher it is important to provide

support for the families of students
with ADHD. A good way to do this is
to make sure the parents or guardians
of the student are aware of what
ADHD is and how it can be
remediated. Sometimes medication is
a good option for parents to discuss
with their childs doctor in order for the
student to be able to focus on their
studies and reduce
his
or
her
symptoms. Parents
could also monitor
the diet of the student to see if the
child has a food allergy that is causing
more sever ADHD symptoms. In any
case, teachers need to make sure
parents, families, and friends are
educated about ADHD and stay
positive. Teachers should be a good
role model for these students,
encourage them, and advise the
childs parents to do the same.
For more information, go to:

www.help4adhd.org
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/
publications/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder/index.shtml
http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/
c/1443/12022/12-things-high-school