ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a mental condition commonly found in children (7 to 12). A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and activity. Thus, it affects their performance and behavior at home and school. This article will discuss how to diagnose ADHD in child, and the best teaching techniques and resources to teach children and teens with ADHD.

Diagnosing ADHD – Signs, And Symptoms

ADHD affects children and teenagers in different ways, though both of them may manifest almost the same symptoms. If you don’t know how to diagnose ADHD in child, then you can see the list below:

• Self-focused behavior
• Fidget all the time
• Interrupt quite often
• Problems playing quietly
• Have trouble completing tasks
• Emotional turmoil.

A few different symptoms that you might notice in teens with ADHD are as follows:

• Fear of rejection
• Daydreaming
• Substance abuse
• Lack of organization
• Trouble sustaining attention.

Accommodations For Students With ADHD

As a teacher, your job is to make sure that there are no boundaries between your students and learning in the classroom. Thus, you must make a few changes to your classrooms to make it easier for your students with ADHD to study more effectively.

Teaching Tips

Another way you can assist students with ADHD is by repeating the instructions as many times as possible. You must also make sure that you sum up the material at the end to make it easier for your students to understand. It’s better to use images, charts, color-coding, and other visuals to make learning easier for children.

Homework And Classwork

Your students must retain the information that you teach at school. To ensure that, you can test your students with ADHD – instead of giving them long quizzes every week, give them short ones to solve every day. You should also try to test the information in the way they do best e.g. orally or MCQs.  You should break an assignment down into smaller chunks and set a reward after completing their goals!

Organization

Students with ADHD have problems with organizing their work. So, it will be super helpful if you get them a binder for every subject where they can keep their class notes and assignments. You can also ask them to get a diary to write the homework assignments they get everyday or important event dates.

Communication

Communication is key! Commonly, students with ADHD may have trouble regulating their feelings and run on low self-esteem. You must give feedback/appreciate your students whenever they behave positively in class. Frequent feedback will encourage them to do better in class! If a student has a meltdown – you must listen to them and be patient. In some cases, children/teens may become deeply absorbed in one task, and they might end up ignoring the rest; that’s why you must keep reminding them and shifting their attention/

ADHD School Resources

If you are a passionate teacher who wants the best for their kids, then here are some awesome ADHD school resources that might be helpful:

1. New Teacher Survival Guide
2. CHAAD – Children and Adults with ADHD
3. ADDvance
4. TeacherVision ADHD
5. Child Mind Institute
6. ADDitude Magazin.

Sources:

https://xqsuperschool.org/rethinktogether/adhd-strategies-for-teachers/

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/school-success.html

https://www.verywellmind.com/help-for-students-with-adhd-20538