Tuesday 27 June 2017

Environmental And Classroom Accommodations For ADHD

By Ryan McDonald


With about three to five percent of US population affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, you are bound to encounter a workmate or a student at a point in life. You therefore need to be prepared on how to handle such cases professionally to avoid compromising their performance or neglecting a person who would turn out to be a genius. There are environmental as well as classroom accommodations for ADHD persons that target such behaviors as interrupting activities, calling out, leaving their seats, etc.

To make classroom learning easier, these students should sit close to the teacher. Keep them away from disruptive environments like doors and windows. Create more spaces between desks and ensure that the teacher is close to the student when teaching. Seat cushions, foot rests and resistant bands, among others should be provided to assist such students to improve focus.

Expect tests and assignments along the education path that are mandatory for all students. With restrictions on how much assistance you can provide, you should break down or simplify sentences as well as make the questions fewer for them. Be ready to extend time to enable such a student to complete the test. Further provide a quiet environment for the exam.

Strict education and examination rules will only disadvantage the student as opposed to assisting him or her meet learning goals. When it is time to mark the test or examination, avoid paying attention to neatness. On individual questions, do not be tempted to focus on the answer. Rather, give credit to work done instead of taking points away because the assignment was partially done or late. Such students will not handle long assignments.

The learning environment determines how well your students will grasp content being taught. Make provisions for loud reading of instructions. The use of images and pictures simplify instructions for you. Since the student might be unable to take notes, allow a buddy to do it on his behalf. Check to ensure that your content has been grasped and intervene if the instructions are not clear. You are also allowed to simplify exam instructions.

Expect extraordinary behaviors whenever you are dealing with an ADHD student. Create a reward for certain improvements in behaviors. Shouting will scare the student. When correcting behavior, discuss the issue one on one. Check whether the student is experiencing personal frustrations in order to intervene. There are acts you can ignore as long as they are not disruptive.

Students with attention deficiency and hyperactivity disorder are disadvantaged during tests. Only by making provisions of their conditions can you accommodate them. Spacing tests and assignments makes such students to feel less overwhelmed. Assistance of software that allow verbatim scripting, voice to text applications, spell checkers, calculators and reference charts will make tests easier for your student.

ADHD has no treatment. All interventions are meant to make management of such people easier and thus make them more productive. Available interventions include medication, training, education and psychotherapy. The symptoms and behavior vary from one person to the other and thus each should receive individualized attention.




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