BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Attention Deficit Disorder Classroom Strategies That Work for ADD

Children with Attention Deficit Disorder are often given medication to help with focus and behavior in the classroom. Researchers concluded that non-pharmaceutical interventions in a school setting can help kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder be supported in the classroom.

Classroom Strategies That Work for ADD

Talking to kids, having discussions about their learning styles, is one of the best ways to figure out what works with them in the classroom.

Thanks for sharing this article Connie.

I think my daughter may have ADD. I homeschooled her through 8th grade, and I did recognize that she had a different style of learning, but I didn't see it as a big deal - what we did worked.

She went to a local high school for 9th and 10th grade, and just had a miserable experience. Though her teachers were so kind, and very supportive, there was often not a lot of follow through, and when she'd make mistakes she felt really horrible, even though the teachers were like "it's okay!"

She just got so miserable, I've decided to homeschool her again. And we are already off to such a good start. The constant feedback, and life skills training are making all the difference.

I had a similar experience with one of my sons. He was miserable, so we homeschooled. Then, I sent him to a smaller school than our neighborhood high school. I salute you for not letting her be miserable with her learning.

One problem that I found with high school homeschooling is that my transcript meant nothing to them, although it was thoroughly documented. I had lesson plans and work samples, along with lists of the texts that we used. What that meant was that our son finished high school in 3 years to graduate with his class. One way to get around this is to use an approved curriculum from an entity that can issue a recognized diploma. Another way is to have her prep for the GED and take that to get a diploma. College entry usually is not a problem with a high SAT or ACT score.

Classrooms are often horrible places for kids with ADD. One thing that helps is developing a relationship with the child's teacher. Keep the lines of communication open.

Teachers need to find logical and authentic ways for kids with ADD to move. Make them the runner to the office. Have them get water for the teacher. Let them erase the board. Have the student get up to pass out supplies. There are many ways to help them move. A creative teacher knows this!

If you have a kid with ADD use a device for typing, make sure that it is not connected to the internet and that there are no games on it.

Oh thanks Connie, that is good to know.

We also have some local charter schools that are home-study (homeschool basically LOL), and I've been considering those too.

We are going up to our local community college this week to pick up one of their catalogs. She wants to look and see what's available. She'd like to take a graphic class, or some other class, just for fun. I would LOVE it if she did that.

Sounds like a plan!

The two best classroom strategies to help kids are to develop a close relationship with the student that is based on respect.
The other is to actually listen to what the student is saying. Listen with an open mind.

Have you found strategies that work?