Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder ADD / ADHD

SUSS Scripture Union Special Support

Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder ADD / ADHD

There are 4 times as many boys as girls diagnosed. Around 70% are hyperactive, ADHD and 30% ADD. Research shows the condition is due to a shortage of serotonin and dopamine in the brain

Typically, children exhibit;

Inattention

·  Have difficulty sustaining attention.

·  Do not seem to listen when spoken to.

·  Often lose things and are forgetful

·  Are easily distracted

Hyperactivity

·  Often fidget

·  Leave seat when expected to remain seated

·  Run about or climb excessively

·  Find it hard to play quietly

·  Talk excessively

Impulsivity

·  Blurt out answers and interrupt

·  Have difficulty taking turns

·  Intrudes in others’ activities.

Strategies:

Inattention

·  Get eye contact before talking by using the child’s name and then a short pause before giving an instruction

·  Give frequent and consistent positive feedback to the current task. (Sometimes a private signal between yourself and the child achieves this without distracting other children and prompting a sense that one child is getting more attention)

·  Seat the child near yourself and not too close to other children

·  Give alternative activities if a written task provokes avoidance behaviour

·  Regular routines with visual schedules can be helpful

·  Use checklists for equipment required

·  Have short activities

·  Give only 1 instruction at a time using short sentences.

·  It may help for the child to verbalise an instruction to himself

Hyperactivity

·  Choose the child to be the one who writes on the board

·  Build in opportunities for moving around.

·  Have short breaks between activities

Impulsiveness

·  Have clear, simple rules and expectations

·  Ignore minor inappropriate behaviour

·  Practise a routine of stop / listen, look / think, answer / do

·  Praise compliant behaviour

·  Praise appropriate social behaviour

·  Raise self esteem by reassurance and encouragement

·  Focus on child’s talents

·  Avoid triggering ‘fight or flight’ behaviour by being aware of your use of language. Use ‘I’ statements rather than ‘you’ statements. E.g ‘I would like you to sit down’ rather than ‘you must ….. ‘

Pray regularly for each child that you serve alongside