Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common brain disorder observed in most elementary school students which affects how Za student pays attention, sits still, and controls the behavior.
As a teacher we normally come across students who are easily distracted, doesn't follow directions or finish tasks, doesn't seem to be listening, doesn't pay attention, makes careless mistakes, forgets about daily activities, has problems organizing daily tasks, doesn’t like to do things that require sitting still, often loses things, tends to daydream, has trouble playing quietly, doesn't like to be seated, is always moving, such as running or climbing on things, talks excessively, has trouble waiting for their turn, blurts out answers, interrupts others and many more of such kind. These are the basic characteristic features of an ADHD child.
Though there is no medical treatment for this neurological disorder to cure it completely, the extra support, love and care of a teacher can help these children fight the disorder to a certain extent, leading to spurt in academic performance and participation in extracurricular activities.
The below mentioned list of activities can play a vital role in inducing changes to certain extent.
Begin With Praise
Lack of motivation and praise tremendously affects a childs learning curve especially for those who suffer from ADHD as they are bound to make recurrent careless or silly mistakes. These students when given proper guidance are able to do mighty things but they feel discouraged and demotivated when the teacher doesn't involve them in classroom activities. Consistent praise even on their wrong approaches will boost the morale of the students and encourage them.
Teach One By One
Schools classroom is full of diversity. Every learner is unique. The grasping power of every student also differ from learner to learner. As a teacher we generally forget to make the classroom learning inclusive wherein not only the gifted learner but also the slow learner are taken care of. If a teacher caters to the needs of every student by teaching the concepts in parts and small sections, one by one in a proper sequential manner then definitely it will have a great impact on ADHD students, as they too would be able to relate with the concepts well in parts. This will motivate them to give their best at academics as well as help them to participate in other activities too.
Go Slow
Every teacher has a unique style of teaching. Many are just text book readers, few are concept explainers in gist, whereas few others are not only best in explaining concepts by giving hands on experience but also take extra efforts by making every topic the easiest one. These kinds of teachers are the beloved of ADHD students as they cater to the needs of each and every student in the classroom. So, go slow in teaching and help ADHD students win the race.
Use Play Therapy
ADHD students are the most restless, very slow in completing any given tasks, lack attention and are easily distracted due to the traditional methods of teaching or monotonous way of teaching wherein the student is not able to give even the minimum amount of attention. The paradigm shift from traditional method of teaching to the innovative method which involves Play way method, game method, activity based learning, art therapy, music and dance therapy can help an ADHD student to a greater extent to show improvement in learning and understanding without having to spend longer time in rote - learning.
Give Breaks
Continuous long duration of teaching is highly uncomfortable for ADHD students. Intermittent breaks given by the teacher can help in bringing back the attention towards what the teacher is teaching. Ensuring to give breaks in the way of simple sit down and stand up, hands up and hands down, close eyes and meditate for a while, singing any action song or performing a simple dance steps etc can help in rejuvenating the mind and mood of the students, thereby helping them to understand the topic bring taught by the teacher.
Go Ed-Tech
Distractions lead to loss of attention. And ADHD students are the most impatient when it comes to sitting still in the classroom for a longer duration of time. These students expect new things everyday in the classroom. The traditional chalk and talk method fails to attract the attention or generate interest in the ADHD students. Introducing Educational Technology in our daily lesson delivery can take the classroom experience to a different level. Technology adds to the learning experience with better clarity and understanding of the concepts.
Repeat & Revise
ADHD students easily forget the things learnt. Hence, they require recurring repetition and revision so as to remember the concepts better for a longer duration. As a teacher, we should ensure that we repeat and revise the learnt concepts for maximum time possible. It not only encourages these students but also helps them to come par in excellence with the other students of the class.
Wasn't it so simple? Do Implement in your classrooms and check the progress. I am sure, You will actually land up with a million smiles in your classroom. The great physicist Albert Einstein, Bill Gates and many more are enough motivation for ADHD students. Sky's the limit. Give your best!!!
All The Best !!!
HAPPY LEARNING!!!
By Shobha Joy Gaddam
(Academician & Educator)
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