Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Educators Need To Know By: Annie Schave Michigan...

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:What Educators Need To Know

By: Annie SchaveMichigan State UniversityCEP 841

Have You Ever. . .Thought a child was lazy because they seemed to never start an assignment?

Gotten mad at the child who kept getting out of their seat?

Become so frustrated with the child in the back of the room banging his pencil on his desk over and over and over again?

Reminded a child to bring home their book at least five times and then they still forget it?

Been in the middle of a lesson when a child blurts out some random information irrelevant to the lesson?

Had a child listen to you talk and then not know what you just said?

If You Answered Yes. . . You are not alone! Today, in every

classroom across the country there are several students who are diagnosed with ADHD.

It is vital for teachers to understand ADHD so you don’t feel frustrated, upset, or defeated.

What You Will Get From This Presentation What are the statistics and myths of ADHD? What is ADHD? How is it diagnosed and what is the teachers role? What causes ADHD? What are Executive Functions? What deficits do children with ADHD have? What can a teacher do to help children with these

deficits? What medication should teachers know about? Where can help be found about ADHD?

Statistics The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth

Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 1994; DSM-IV) shows that ADHD affects 3 to 5% of school aged children.

This adds up to 1.46 to 2.46 million children in schools today (U.S. Department of Education, 2004).

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood psychiatric disorder (Miernicki & Hukriede, 2004)

4 to 13% of the United States Population is affected by ADHD (Meaux, 1999)

Boys are 4 to 9 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls (U.S. Department of Education, 2004).

¼ to 1/3 of ADHD students also have learning disabilities (U.S. Department of Education, 2004)

Symptoms in a child may change as that child grows older but that does not mean that the child will grow out of their ADHD diagnosis (U.S. Department of Education, 2004).

ADHD children are at higher risk for unintentional injuries, delinquency, and anti-social behavior (Meaux, 1999).

ADHD Myths Busted As published on ADDitude Magazine’s

website, these are the most common ADHD myths: #7: People with ADHD are stupid and lazy. #6: ADHD children on medication will abuse

drugs as teenagers. #5: ADHD is the result of bad parenting. #4: ADHD affects only boys. #3: Children with ADHD often outgrow the

condition. #2: Children given ADHD accommodations are

given an unfair advantage. #1: ADHD is not a real medical disorder.

From: www.additudemag.com

What is ADHD?The American Psychiatric Association in the DSM-IV (1994) defines three main types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Individuals can have predominately inattentive ADHD, predominately hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, or combined type depending on the presenting symptoms (p. 83-85).

Inattention Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

Fails to give close attention to detailsDifficulty sustaining attention in tasksDoes not seem to listen when spoken to directlyOften does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplaceOften has difficulty organizing tasks and activitiesOften loses things necessary for tasks or activitiesIs often easily distractedOften forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactivity -often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat -often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected -often runs about or climbs excessively -often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities -often is “on the go” or as if “driven by a motor” -talks excessivelyImpulsivity -often blurts out answers before questions are completed -has difficulty awaiting turn -interrupts or intrudes on others

Diagnostic Criteria

A: Six or more of the previously noted symptoms persisting for 6 months or longer qualifies for a diagnosis of ADHD in either the inattentive category or hyperactivity-impulsive category. If both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are present then a combined type diagnosis is given. Please see chart on previous screen.

B: One of the symptoms needs to have been present before the age of 7.

C: Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings, such as school or home.

D: There must be clear and significant evidence of a social, academic, or occupational impairment.

E: The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.

Note: Taken from American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV (1994, p. 83-85)

Reasons ADHD Students Misbehave

1. Frustration because they have a different perception of the situation.

2. Lack of structure.3. They act the role of being “bad.”4. They don’t know how to ask to get what they need so

they act out.5. The classroom is full of distractions.6. The child feels misunderstood.7. Hunger.8. They feel overwhelmed with tasks assigned.9. They feel criticized.10. They are stuck in the “victim cycle.”

Note: From Appelbaum Training Institute’s How to Handle the Hard-to-Handle Student Resource Handbook, (2005).

What Educators Need to Remember:

According to Schuck & Crinella (2005), “the most worrisome deficits of children with ADHD are not the product of low IQ, but rather of instability of control processes that govern everyday applications to the environment” (p. 275).

The ADHD student is not dumb, lazy, or out of control. They are smart kids who need our help to gain the proper strategies to be successful!

What Can An Educator Do If Some Symptoms Appear To Be Present?1. Maintain behavior logs citing observations of behaviors and

situations. Remember to include inventions used and their efficiency.

2. Inform parents of behavioral concerns and discuss behaviors at home.

3. Request child study or equivalent meeting with parents, special education teachers, school psychologist, etc. to discuss classroom behaviors. This can lead to diagnosis from a doctor and then an IEP for the student.

4. If needed, rating scales may be given to teachers and parents.

Remember: Diagnosis and identification of ADHD needs to come by a medical evaluation from a family doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist outside of the school system! Your job is to observe the child and find interventions that work to make that child successful!

Note: From Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm (2006).

What Rating Scales Are Used Most? The most common rating scale used is

Conners Teachers Rating Scale which will ask you to rate the behaviors and form statements about the behavior (Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm, 2006).

Similar forms may include the ADHD Rating Scale or the Behavior Rating Form based on DSM IV symptoms (Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm, 2006).

It is important to know how often the behavior occurs when completing these forms!

What Causes ADHD? According to Barkley’s website (

http://www.russellbarkley.org/adhd-facts.htm), there is significant evidence that ADHD occurrences are due to biological factors.

Other factors, as stated on the previous website, may include: difficulties during pregnancy, prenatal exposure to alcohol or tobacco, low birth weight, high lead levels, and prenatal injury to the prefrontal lobe of the brain.

A recent study published in Pediatrics by scientists at Texas Tech. University shows that there is no link between ADHD and television. This is however still heavily controversial (www.additudemag.com).

Causes continued. . . New research suggests that ADHD is present with

dysfunctions in the prefrontal lobes of the brain. Prefrontal lobes control executive functions which children with ADHD are lacking (Dawson & Guare, 2004). These dysfunctions being studied include size differences in prefrontal regions, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. This can lead to abnormal activation patterns in the brain (Barkley, 2003).

Other research still not concluded at this time states that ADHD children have abnormal dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain (Barkley, 2003).

Another neurological cause is related to lower glucose levels affecting neurotransmitter activity in parts of the brain (ADDA, http://www.add.org/articles/index.html ).

What Are Executive Functions?

An executive function is “a neuropsychological concept referring to the cognitive processes required to plan and direct activities, including task initiation and follow through, working memory, sustained attention, performance monitoring, inhibition of impulses, and goal-directed persistence.” (Dawson & Guare, 2004, p. vii)

Why Are Executive Functions Important?

These skills allow us to “organize our behavior over time and override immediate demands in favor of longer-term goals” (Dawson & Guare, 2004, p. 1).

They also allow for the management of emotions and effective thought monitoring.

Children with problems in a particular executive function area have a deficit in that skill area.

Deficit: Response Inhibition

This is “the capacity to think before you act” (Dawson & Guare, p. 47).

Children with this deficit tend to be impulsive. They will say things without thinking about what it is that they are saying.

Deficit: Working Memory

This is “the ability to hold information mind while performing complex tasks” (Dawson & Guare, p. 49).

Students with this deficit tend to forget easily. They may forget their homework or books at school on a regular basis.

Deficit: Self-Regulation Of Affect

This is “the ability to manage emotions in order to achieve goals, accomplish tasks, or control and direct behavior” (Dawson & Guare, p. 50).

These students tend to become upset quickly with situations, unable to control their emotions. These students tend to have outbursts that disrupt daily functioning.

Deficit: Sustained Attention This is “the capacity to maintain attention to

a situation or task in spite of distractibility, fatigue, or boredom” (Dawson & Guare, p. 52).

Students with this deficit tend to have a hard time getting started on a task. These students will get up often when a task is given. They talk to other students when they shouldn’t. Their attention is on everything in the room other than their work.

Deficit: Task Initiation

This is “the ability to begin a task without undue procrastination, in a timely fashion” (Dawson & Guare, p. 54).

These students tend to put off doing work that they need to complete. They lack the processes to start the task.

Deficit: Planning This is “the ability to create a roadmap to

reach a goal or to complete a task. It also involves being able to make decisions about what’s important to focus on and what’s not important” (Dawson & Guare, p. 55).

These students tend to wait till the last minute to complete tasks and then not know what to do when they go to complete them.

Deficit: Organization

This is “the ability to arrange or place things according to a system” (Dawson & Guare, p. 58).

These students tend to have messy desks or cubbies. They lose papers often and frequently shove papers instead of placing them in appropriate spots.

Deficit: Time Management This is “the capacity to estimate,

allocate, and execute within time constraints” (Dawson & Guare, p. 60).

These children get work done at the last minute and frequently ask for assignment extensions. Also, they often use excuses for not having work.

Deficits: Goal-Directed Persistence This is “the capacity to have a goal, follow

through to the completion of the goal, and not be put off by or distracted by competing interests” (Dawson & Guare, p. 62).

These students are able to create goals for themselves but are not able to achieve them. They are not able to understand the necessary steps to reach a goal and often become distracted with outside stimuli negatively impacting their task completion.

Deficit: Flexibility This is “the ability to revise plans in the

face of obstacles, setbacks, new information, or mistakes” (Dawson & Guare, p. 63).

These students have difficulty in transitions and new situations. These students struggle longer than others at the beginning of each year. They also are thrown off by changes in daily schedules. These students have limited problem solving strategies.

Deficit: Metacognition This is “the ability to stand back and take a bird’s-

eye view of oneself in a situation. It is an ability to observe how you problem solve. It also includes self-monitoring and self-evaluative skills” (Dawson & Guare, p. 65).

These students make careless mistakes frequently. They also will complete one step then stop instead of finishing the series of steps. For example, these students may add instead of subtract over and over again while failing to review their work and realizing their mistake. Also, these students will do one step of long division and then stop, not reflecting on the whole process needed to complete the task.

What Are The Intervention Areas?

Educational Accommodations Executive Functioning Deficits Classroom Interventions

Promoting Appropriate Behavior Medication Options

Stimulant Medication Medication and Side Effects

Response Inhibition Reduce situations where the child can get

into trouble Proximity Control: Increase supervision of

the child Control impulses by modeling appropriate

behavior To teach the skill:

Explain the skill and behaviors Model behaviors Discussion situations to use the skill Reinforce the skill Ignore inappropriate behavior

Note: From Dawson & Guare, (2004).

Working Memory Enforce use of assignment books

consistently Utilize checklists and to-do lists Use cue devices such as verbal reminders,

alarm clocks, and Post-Its To teach the skill:

Explain the skill Give options to the child for cues and checklists

to use Create a monitoring system for the child to

monitor their own skill usage


Self-Regulation Of Affect Prepare child for problem situations Give child scripts for problem situations and practice

regularly Structure environment to avoid situations that can lead

to problems Break tasks down into small steps Give breaks to child during tasks as needed Teach child I-statements Use social stories that teach emotional control To teach this skill:

Explain the skill Provide coping strategies Practice with the child Reinforce child when strategies are used Discuss real life situations of using the strategy


Sustained Attention Write start and stop times on assignments Use incentive systems Break down tasks into steps Make tasks interesting for students Give child something fun to do when task is completed Provide attention and praise when student is remaining

on task To teach the skill:

Discuss attention time with the student Teach them to break down tasks on their own Help them make work plans for completing tasks Reinforce them when they use the plan


Task Initiation Use verbal cues to get child started Create a visual cue to prompt child to get started, such

as a note on their desk Walk through the first part of the task to help child get

started Have child tell you when they will begin the task and cue

them when the time arrives To teach the skill:

Teach the child to create a written plan for starting the task including time and type of task

Teach child to break down the task if needed Teach child to use cue such as alarm clock to start task Reinforce child when no additional cues are needed Fade supervision


Planning Plan a schedule for the child Use rubrics Break long assignments into smaller pieces with

deadlines for each piece Create planning sheets with due dates Use assignment planners To teach the skill:

Walk through the planning process with the child Have child model the planning process Tell student to create roadmaps for tasks Ask questions such as “What do you have to do

first?”


Organization Maintain an organized classroom Create schemes for organizing backpacks

and folders Color-code folders, notebooks, and papers

for classes To teach the skill:

Teach child to separate papers and categorize them

Have them create their own organization plan Get the plan in writing Have them implement the plan


Time Management Give child a schedule to follow Prompt student with each step of a task Impose time limits for assignments Provide frequent reminders for remaining time to

complete task Use cueing devices such as alarm clocks To teach the skill:

Help child understand what the task involves Have child think of distractions that may be present

when completing task Create an estimated time for completion; compare

estimated time to actual time Find strategies to decrease distractions


Goal-Directed Persistence Give students goals and have them keep track of their

progress Goals need to have motivational interest to the

student Include students in establishing goals Create reasonable goals To teach the skill:

Follow a coaching process: Hold a goal setting session where a goal is set,

obstacles are discussed and a plan is written Hold daily coaching sessions where goal is re-discussed

and progress is assessed by asking questions


Flexibility Give advance warning for new schedules or activities Allow student to practice new schedules or activities Provide rubrics to follow Read social stories to teach coping strategies in

problem situations Offer positive reinforcement and step by step

assistance with difficult problems To teach the skill:

Teach students what inflexibility is and how to recognize it

Teach and model coping strategies with plans and cues

Create strategies to fall back on Teach relaxation strategies


Metacognition Ask child to explain how they solved the problem or if

they can think of another way to solve the problem. Create buddy systems for students to check work. Give assignments where students can evaluate their

work ethic and give a grade. Use rubrics. To teach the skill:

Define the skill and what is needed to use the skill appropriately

Practice the skill Create error-monitoring checklists Teach children to ask themselves self-monitoring

questions while tasks are being completed


Classroom Setup To Accommodate ADHD Seat ADHD student away from distractions, preferably

front and center (www.addinschools.com). Seat student near a good role model

(www.addinschools.com). Increase distance between desks to decrease

distractions (www.addinschools.com). Create a cool-down area (National Education

Association, 2005). Play quiet music (Appelbaum Training Institute’s How

to Handle the Hard-to-Handle Student Resource Handbook, (2005).

Create a stage for announcements in the classroom (Appelbaum Training Institute’s How to Handle the Hard-to-Handle Student Resource Handbook, (2005).

Other Solutions To Helping The ADHD Child Make lessons very clear Use lots of visuals Pair students together to complete assignments Provide hand signals Play beat the clock Use behavioral contracts Use sticker charts Provide study carrels or private offices Allow students to move around Allow more time for tests Put luggage tags on book bag to remind students of what to bring home Put sponges or mouse pads on desks for students who like to tap Have special highlighters for students to use Use picture mats or file folders cut into thirds to chunk assignments Provide headphones for students to use Use manipulatives such as Koosh balls or hand exercisers for students

Note: From Appelbaum Training Institute’s How to Handle the Hard-to-Handle Student Resource Handbook, (2005).

How To Promote Appropriate Behavior In The Classroom

Use positive reinforcement regularly. Implement Class-wide problem solving

strategies such as FAST or SLAM. Practice Positive Behavioral Support by

conducting functional behavior assessments to create individualized interventions.

Hold class meetings that teach and reinforce proper social skills, acceptance of others and conflict resolution.

From: Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm, (2006).

Medicinal Treatments Miernicki & Hukriede (2004) found that most

elementary school teachers and middle school teachers feel that stimulant medications along with interventions work best to help children with ADHD.

Stimulant medication is used to alter perceptions and feelings making the student more successful by targeting the areas of the brain that effect executive functioning (Miernicki & Hukriede, 2004; Schuck & Crinella, 2005).

70 to 80% of children on psychostimulant medications respond positively to them because they help communication between nerve networks in the brain (www.help4adhd.org).

Commonly Used Medications Stimulants

Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Focalin, Adderall, Dexadrine

Given in short-acting (4-6 hours) or long-acting (6-12 hours) doses

Side Effects: difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, fatigue, headache, stomach-ache, possible occurances of motor tics

Nonstimulants Strattera, antidepressants such as Zoloft or Celexa Affect dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the

brain Side Effects: difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite,

fatigue, headache, stomach-ache

From: http://www.help4adhd.org/treatment/medical/WWK3

Conclusion Given the amount of

children with ADHD today, we are bound to encounter an ADHD student in our classroom. Hopefully, the information in this presentation will increase your knowledge of ADHD and also help you effectively teach these students. Thank you!

Where to Find Help?

www.addinschools.com http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adh

d.cfm www.additudemag.com www.add.org/ www.adhdinfo.com www.russellbarkley.org

ReferencesAdditude Magazine. (2004). http://www.additudemag.com Viewed July 13, 2006

ADHD in School. (2006) www.addinschool.com Viewed July 13, 2006

American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Applebaum Training Institute. (2005). How to Handle the Hard-to-Handle Student Resource Handbook.

Attention Deficit Disorder Associaton (ADDA). (2006). http://www.add.org/articles/index.html Viewed July 13, 2006

Barkley, R. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Child Psychopathology, Second Edition. The Guilford Press. New York. 2003.

Dawson, P, & Guare, R. (2004). Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention. The Guilford Press. New York.

Meaux, J, (2000). Stop, Look, and Listen: The Challenge for Children with ADHD. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing. 23, 1-13. Viewed using ERIC Database on July 11, 2006.

References continued. . .Miernicki, S. & Hukriede, J. (2004). Intervention Types and the Perceptions of Academic

Success of Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Viewed Using ERIC Database on July 11, 2006.

National Education Association. The D Word. NEAToday. September 2005, p.29.

National Resource Center on ADHD. (2006). http://www.help4adhd.org/ Viewed July 11, 2006

Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. The Official Site. (2005). www.russellbarkley.org/adhd-facts.htm Viewed July 13, 2006

Schuck, S, and Crinella, F. (2005) Why Children With ADHD Do Not Have Low IQs. Journal of Learning Disabilities. May/June 2005. 262-280. Viewed using ERIC Database on July 11, 2006.

U.S. Department of Education. (2004). Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices. 2004. Viewed using ERIC Database on July 11, 2006.

Vaughn, S, Bos, C, & Schumm, J (2006). Teaching Exceptional, Diverse, and At-Risk Students in the General Education Classroom. Allyn and Bacon. Boston, MA.

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