A ttention D eficit H yperactivity D isorder

1. Useful Resources Websites www.chadd.org www.spark.org.sg www.Idonline.org www.add.org www.ADDresources.org “Is a disorder that characterised by hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsivity.” AttentionDeficitHyperactivityDisorder References S.H. Lee (2002). I’m not naughty. Singapore: The Society for the promotion of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Research and Knowledge (SPARK) Lim,L., & Quah, M.M. (Eds.) (2004). Educating learners with diverse abilities. Singapore: McGraw – Hill. Yiming Cai (2003). Living with A.D.H.D. Singapore: Times Editions Strategies for teaching youth with ADHD. Retrieved on 1st Sept 2008 from http://www.Idonline.org/article/13701

2. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to exhibit How can we HELP? 3 MAIN TRAITS • INATTENTIVENESS • Easily distracted • Fail to give close attention to details or make careless mistakes • Difficulty sustaining attention • Difficulty getting started, following through and finishing tasks • Disorganised and lose things • 2) IMPULSIVENESS • Blurting out answers to questions before questions have been completed • Difficulty in waiting for turn in tasks, games or group situations • Often interrupt or intrude on others • Often act before thinking • 3) HYPERACTIVITY • Cannot sit still or remain seated as expected; walk around in class • Often run about or climb excessively • Difficulty in playing quietly • Always “on the go”, as if “driven by a motor” • Fidgeting or squirming in their seats or playing with items • To help the inattentive child to pay close attention to • details, or focus to complete a task:- • Minimized distraction • Reduce the length of the assignment • Present the assignment in parts • Give a short break after each part • Give rewards for work well done • Use a timer • Use a variety of teaching aids • To reduce Hyperactivity in a child: • Provide opportunities for him to channel his energy • Incorporate movement into lesson • Use game formats to reinforce, e.g. concept game • Keep unstructured time to the minimum • Ignore his behaviors • Compliment • To help reduce the impulsivity in a child: • Teach appropriate behaviour • Prompt correct behaviour & verbally reinforce • Move near him when he is restless • Use concrete objects to reinforce speaking or asking • questions at appropriate time • Peers to ignore remarks