Source: National Council for Learning Disability/ ncld.org

 

 

Tips for Better Behavior

                It is tough being a child with ADHD, and is tough being a parent of child with ADHD. Learning ways to help make life a little easier and successes lots more frequent is important. Here are some simple tips for increasing your child’s compliance when you give him a direction. You also may want to share these tips with your child’s teacher at school.

Giving Clear Directions

• When giving directions, move closer to your child and get his attention by touching his shoulder or arm and saying his name.
• Make sure you have eye contact with your child as you give the direction.
• Use a Do command rather than a STOP command when you can. For example, say “Put your homework folder in your bag,” rather than a vague command such as, “Stop goofing off.”
• Say the command clearly in firm voice.
• If you need to provide explanation, say it before giving the direction. For example, “We have to go to Grandma’s right after school today so we aren’t late for the dinner. If you want to play with toys at Grandma’s, pick some out and give them to me now.” If you wait and say it after giving your child the direction, he will likely forget your original command.
• After giving direction, wait a few seconds and stay by your child to make sure he maintains his attention on the task. If he complies and properly follows through with your direction, praise him immediately for a job well done.
• If your child does not comply, give him an IF… THEN statement that specifies your expectations and the consequences for not complying. For example, “If you don’t put the folder in your back pack right now, then you will lose 10 minutes off your computer time.”
• If your child complies, give him praise. If he does not comply, follow through with the loss of something, like computer time privilege.
• Be consistent and calm in your approach.
• Be sure to take care of yourself so you can best take care of your child. Parenting a child with ADHD requires great patience and lots of creativity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Tips for ADHD Children – Classroom Strategies

                If you are a parent or teacher of a child with ADHD, this list for you! Simple modifications and strategies implemented within the classroom can often make a big difference in a child’s success in school.

 

Strategies for the Classroom

1. 1.Classroom rules should be clear and concise and reviewed regularly with the student. It is helpful to have the child repeat back rules, expectations or other instructions to make sure they are understood. These rules should be posted prominently in the classroom.
2. 2.Make sure the student is seated close to the teacher and away from distractions (away from doors, windows, cubby area, pencil sharpeners, etc.)
3. 3.Give the student frequent and immediate feedback or consequences about behaviors.
4. 4.Catch the student being good and give him immediate praise. Ignore negative behaviors that are minimal and not disruptive.
5. 5.Use rewards and incentives before punishment to motivate the student and to help keep school feeling like positive place. Change up the rewards frequently to help prevent the student from becoming bored.
6. 6.Allow student frequent physical breaks to move around (to hand out or collect materials, run errands to the office or other areas in the school building, erase the board, get a drink of water at the water fountain, etc.)
7. 7.Allow some restlessness at work area. Allow student to stand up at his desk if it helps him stay on task.
8. 8.Tape an index card to the student’s desk with written class rules. Help him keep track of the schedule by reviewing it with him at various times during the day and prepare him for each transition.
9. 9.Limit distractions, excessive noise, distracting visual stimuli, clutter, etc. (For some kids with ADHD listening to “white noise” or soft background music can help concentration and focus)
10. 10.Reduce the student’s total work load. Break work down into smaller sections.
11. 11.Give concise one or two step directions. Avoid “overloading” with too much info.
12. 12.Place a hand on the student’s shoulder, hand or arm while talking to him in order to help him stay focused on what is said.
13. 13.Allow the student to hold a small “koosh ball” or silly putty or something tactile for him to manipulate. This slight stimulation often helps keep an ADHD child focused.
14. 14.If the school allows it, some students benefit from chewing gum to release energy and keep concentration.
15. 15.Schedule the most difficult subjects in the morning time when the student (and the whole class) is more fresh and less fatigued.
16. 16.Do not use loss of recess as a consequence for negative behavior. (ADHD kids benefit from the physical movement that occurs during recess and can usually focus better following this exercise)
17. 17.Use timers, taped time signals. Or verbal cues to show how much time the student has remaining for an activity.
18. 18.Pair the student with a “study buddy” – a kind and mature classroom peer who can help give refocus the child when he gets off track.

 

 

 

 

By: Marilyn P. Mendoza | SPED Teacher | Llamas Elementary School | Mariveles, Bataan