ADHD Reality Check
Teachers are human beings. Our thoughts, feeling, and actions are connected. Lets be honest, managing a child with ADHD is emotionally and physically hard work. The first step in managing a classroom with ADHD students is to understand what ADHD really is.
Statistics show that there will be about two students diagnosed with ADHD in a classroom of about twenty-five students. No one should expect a child with a special need to act normally. You don't expect a child in a wheel chair to run like the wind. The difference here is that it is easier to feel compassion for a physical disability because we can see it. ADHD is a neurological disorder. We can not see it. A child with ADHD can not turn it off at will.
Where does a teacher begin? Start with a Reality Check by making a list of symptoms and rate the child on each one. On a scale of 1-10. One meaning very little. Five meaning above average. Ten mean ALOT.
Here is a list of common ADHD symptoms:
a. inattentiveness
b. impulsivity
c. difficulty delaying gratification
d. emotional overarousal
e. hyperactivity
f. non compliance
g. social problems
h. disorganization
This rating exercise will help define the difficult job parents and teachers have and will help to accomplish several things.
1. Give the teacher a down to earth idea of what the behavioral repertoire of a child with ADHD really is.
2. Clarifies for the teacher that the problem is ADHD and not bad parenting.
3. Reduces anger because it makes expectations more realistic.