In the Classroom Roland Rotz, PhD Lifespan Development Center Carpinteria, CA Copyright © 2005,...

In the ClassroomIn the ClassroomRoland Rotz, PhDRoland Rotz, PhD

Lifespan Development CenterLifespan Development CenterCarpinteria, CACarpinteria, CA

Copyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. WrightCopyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Why Do We Fidget?Why Do We Fidget?

Copyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Common Reasons Common Reasons We Fidget We Fidget

• Ants in the pants

• Too many trips to “Starbucks”

• Really would rather be somewhere else

• Not enough sleep ~twitchy~

• Restless Leg Syndrome

• Release of excess energy to: “get your fidgets out!”

• Natural drummer “I can’t help it”Copyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Fidgeting helps Focus!Fidgeting helps Focus!

• Understimulated ADHD brain equals boredom• Boredom is intolerable• Seeking out novelty, interest, stimulation• Use senses as a “sensory stimulant”• Simultaneous use of non-competing activities• Helpful Fidgeting is doing a mindless and/or

repetitive action while doing another primary activity that is tedious and boring in order to improve performance.


Fidget strategy at it’s worstFidget strategy at it’s worst

• Disrespectful fidgets: clicking a pen• Unplanned and unintended: procrastination• Interrupts rather than focuses


Classroom ThemesClassroom Themes

• Multi-sensory teaching

• Interactive participation

• Increase brevity and variety

• “Free for All” moment

• Respectful fidgeting only, please!

• Interesting and occasionally entertaining

• Anticipate fluctuations and transitions

• “Try smarter not harder” Copyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Movement Strategies Movement Strategies

• Not just wiggling, it is while listening

• Doodling while listening

• Pacing while listening

• Chewing gum

• Standing or swaying

• Sitting on an exercise ball

• Squeezing a fidget ball

• Working at the marker boardCopyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Movement Strategies Movement Strategies

• Recess and physical activity

• Stretching

• Brain Gym

• A note taken to the office by the student

• Once around the school

• Playing with fidget toys like wiki-sticks, pipe cleaners, paperclips, Orbs

• Balancing on the back 2 legs of a chairCopyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Sight StrategiesSight Strategies

• Colorful and attractive boards

• Colorful tools (pens, folders, highlighters)

• Watching a fish tank, screensaver, water toys

• Watching flickering flames, fireplace,wind toys

• Glancing out the window

• Noticing similarities or differences in the room

• Computer programs or games


Sound StrategiesSound Strategies

• Listening to familiar music

• Find the rhythm in the beat

• Humming or whistling to yourself

• Listening to a gentle ticking clock

• Noticing background noises

• Listening to white noise

• Listening to your heart beat

• Listening to your breathingCopyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Touch StrategiesTouch Strategies

• Stroking or touching the face or hair

• Fidget toys with texture or contrast

• Fidget toys in the pockets

• Playing with wrinkles on clothes

• Touching coins or keys in the pocket

• Folding, tearing or playing with paper


Taste & Smell StrategiesTaste & Smell Strategies

• Sucking on Lemon drops

• Crunchy or chewy snacks

• Drinking water or other available drinks

• Scented pens and candles

• Familiar and comfortable tastes or smells


Fidget Strategies: SchoolFidget Strategies: School

• Multi-sensory teaching and learning• Reading to background music• Reading aloud with enthusiasm • Sitting on exercise balls• Standing, swaying or chewing gum• Respectful fidgeting with toys• Brain Gym exercises• Sprint strategies to manage time/projects• Anticipating transitions/more breaks• Finding rhythms


Time StrategiesTime Strategies“I will never be the tortoise!”“I will never be the tortoise!”

• Time sprints • Count down timers• Egg timers on your computer


Companion StrategiesCompanion StrategiesAccountabilityAccountability

• Body double

• Study buddy

• Athletic team, coach or workout partner

• Family or “very involved” parent

• ADHD coach or personal assistant

• Therapist or counselor

• Tutor or educational therapist

• Personal organizerCopyright © 2005, 2008 by Roland Rotz & Sarah D. Wright

Why do we fidget? Why do we fidget? Because we can!Because we can!

Roland Rotz, PhD

805-566-0441

Fidget to FocusFidget to Focus

Outwit your Boredom:Outwit your Boredom: Sensory Strategies for Living with ADDSensory Strategies for Living with ADD

written by:

Roland RotzRoland Rotz

Sarah D. WrightSarah D. Wright

www.FidgettoFocus.com www.FidgettoFocus.com/blog


http://www.fidgettofocus.com/

http://www.fidgettofocus.com/blog

In the Classroom Roland Rotz, PhD Lifespan Development Center Carpinteria, CA Copyright © 2005,...

Documents

Transcript of In the Classroom Roland Rotz, PhD Lifespan Development Center Carpinteria, CA Copyright © 2005,...