Understanding and Managing Attention and Behavioral Difficulties

1. Understanding and Managing Attention and Behavioral Difficulties Dr. Mia Vieyra, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist

2. Goals for Today AD/HD - defined Behavioral problems -defined Diagnosis and assessment Strategies for teachers Q & A

3. What is AD/HD?Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

5. Inattention Doesn�t give close attention to detail Doesn�t follow through or finish Doesn�t like tasks requiring sustained attention or mental effort Is forgetful Doesn�t seem to listen Highly distractible Makes careless mistakes Loses things Difficulty organizing tasks

6. Hyperactivity Talks too much Restless Fidgets Can�t sit still Runs or climbs more than others Always on the go.

7. Impulsivity Difficulty waiting turn Blurts out answers (OTM,OTM) Interrupts Intrudes Acts before thinking

10. Frontal Lobes

11. Executive Function The capacity to have a goal, follow through to the completion of that goal, and not to be put off or distracted by competing interests. AND The ability to revise plans in the face of obstacles, setbacks, new information or mistakes.

12. Weak Executive Functioning Problems with Activation, Alertness, and Effort Poor working memory and recall Difficulty internalizing language Difficulty controlling emotions Difficulty with complex problem solving

13. Sleep Difficulties Doesn�t get restful sleep Can�t fall asleep Can�t wake up Later for school Sleeps in class Sleep deprived - irritable Morning battles with parents

14. Impaired sense of Time Doesn�t judge the passage of time accurately Loses track of time Often late Is not able to plan ahead Forgets/is late with long term projects Difficulty estimating time Impatient Hates waiting Time creeps / homework takes forever Avoids doing homework

15. Social Skills Deficit Can be delayed up to 1/3 of their chronological age i.e. fifteen year old behaves like a ten year old.

16. Serious Learning Problems 90%SLD 25-30 % Poor working memory Can�t memorize easily Slow retrieval of information Slow cognitive processing Slow math calculation Poor written expression Poor listening and reading comprehension Disorganized Forgets teacher/parent requests

17. Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)/(Dyspraxia)50% of children with ADHD Poor fine motor skills Poor handwriting Poor scissor skills Messy eaters Difficulty dressing Difficulty learning to tie shoes �Clumsy�

18. Cause and Effectdifficulty learning from rewards and punishments Repeats misbehavior May be difficult to discipline Less likely to follow rules Must have immediate rewards Difficulty managing his own behavior Doesn�t study past behavior Difficulty changing behavior

19. Low Frustration Tolerance Short fuse Emotionally reactive May give up more easily Speaks/acts before thinking Concerned with own feelings Difficulty seeing other�s perspective May appear self-centered

50. www.chadd.org/forms

51. www.chadd.org/forms

52. Rewards and Reinforcers Social rewards Positive phone calls, notes or emails to students, parents Earning a class privilege Activity rewards Lunchtime activities or privileges Free or earned time Computer or internet time Class party for achieving goal

53. Rewards and Reinforcers Activity rewards Responsibilities or privileges that are desirable Homework pass excusing them from one assignment Tutoring or mentoring a younger student Assisting another teacher or staff member Operating equipment Material reinforcers School supplies Stickers, stars, badges and certificates Class money, tickets or points

54. Behavior Management in the Classroom Negative Consequences Back up behavioral limits with fair and reasonable consequences Specify consequences in advance Enforce with consistency and predictability in a calm, prompt and nonemotional manner Deliver consequences using as few words as possible Ignore minor inappropriate behavior

55. Useful Sources www.addwarehouse.com � Good location for ordering books, etc. www.chadd.org National center for information on ADHD www.addis.co.uk UK equivalent of CHADD www.tdah-france.fr French equivalent apa.org/ed/cpse/class-management.html

56. Thank you! miavieyra@free.fr 01 40 50 68 68 11 rue Bosio 75016 Paris