ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, with over 6 million US children diagnosed. Have you ever wondered what steps parents and teachers can take to help a child with their ADHD symptoms in a classroom?
What is ADHD? Signs and Symptoms, Types, Causes
One of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in children, ADHD affects approximately 6.4 million children in the US. Like many other neurodevelopmental disorders such as Alzheimer's and epilepsy, ADHD is genetically derived. However, other factors such as environmental factors and brain injury may also be at play.
Symptoms often vary, ranging from fidgeting, excessive talking or risk-taking, daydreaming, etc. There are three main types of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive Presentation, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation, and a combination of the two. Children with Predominantly Inattentive Presentation tend to have poor memory and short attention span, which manifests when forgetting a simple task or failing to follow a conversation. Children with Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentations tend to act impulsively and hyperactively, and thus get hurt more often. For example, they may grab things from other people or want to jump around constantly.
(Verywell / Laura Porter)
What are classroom Behavioral Intervention Methods, and how do they help with ADHD symptoms?
Most schools offer a form of special care for children with ADHD, ranging from behavioral classroom management to special education services.
First, behavioral classroom management systems. Such systems encourage positive behavior by utilizing report cards, reward systems, or discouraging negative behavior in general. Another way to approach management systems is through organizational training: the encouragement of planning and a clean desk to reduce distractions for the student to optimize learning. Though simple, such treatment can help with children’s attention span and overall performance in the classroom.
Next, certain plans are offered by schools for children with ADHD. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal plans that support children with special needs and provide a separate, more guided learning environment.
Written By: Kaitlyn Kou
“ADHD by the Numbers: Facts, Statistics, and You.” Healthline, 30 May 2018, www.healthline.com/health/adhd/facts-statistics-infographic#:~:text=An%20estimated%206.4%20million%20American. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “ADHD in the Classroom.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2023, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/school-success.html.
---. “What Is ADHD?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2023, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html.
Christiansen, Sherry. “What Is ADHD?” Verywell Health, 2022, www.verywellhealth.com/adhd-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-included-definition-symptoms-traits-causes-treatment-5084784.
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