What do children with attention deficit experience experience in the classroom?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) mostly affects school life negatively. In school life, a child or young person has to fulfill many responsibilities and duties. Fulfilling these tasks is more difficult for the individual with ADHD compared to others. Imagine yourself starting a new lesson in the classroom. A few minutes after the lesson started, you came to your senses when your teacher warned you to open your book. Shortly after the lesson started, you started thinking about the fun things you do at home. Anyway, you turned to your friend and asked which page you would open. While I was trying to read the book, suddenly a voice came from outside. You started looking at him. While trying to focus on what you’re reading, you watch a friend rummage through his bag in the front, and your reading is interrupted again. When the teacher calls out for the last 1 minute, you are not even halfway through where you should be reading. Time is up and you haven’t finished reading. The teacher asked a question, but you asked your friend for help because you could not read properly. Tired of your questions, your friend turned to you and said enough is enough. Similar attention problems are frequently experienced in the classroom life of a child with ADHD. Providing him with the necessary support in the classroom environment will reduce the difficulties he experiences.
So what can teachers do in the classroom for a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
1. First of all, the teacher can sit close to his desk, with the classroom and the distracting stimuli behind him. If possible, avoid doors, windows, ventilation and heaters. Any small but potentially distracting factor can cause trouble.
2. A clear message can be given before any activity change. Now put your books away, get ready for recess or like 10 minutes before the end of the exam time. These little reminders contain clear messages and make their job easier for the child who has trouble managing task transitions.
3. Will remember more often those who need to make a table with the rules of the class.
4. Small tasks such as wiping the board, distributing papers, carrying some papers, transferring some writings to the blackboard in the classroom will enable him to take short breaks to both focus and relieve his energy.
5. When it is felt that he is distracted, small signals should be used to help him recover. Signs such as touching him lightly, passing his name between conversations, making eye contact can be used.
6. Homework should be explained briefly and clearly. They may confuse or forget the main task for long-described assignments.
7. Homework should be given both verbally and in writing. In this way, the parents learn what the homework is and the child remembers the homework more easily.
8. They may be reluctant to do the homework due to the fear of excess. Therefore, it may be helpful to divide the assignments into parts and proceed step-by-step.
Additional time may be given for written assignments and exams in the 9th grade.
10. Different methods such as computer and oral expression can be used for children who have difficulty in writing their homework.
If there are behavioral problems in the classroom, firm and light sanctions are definitely needed. There must be an area that will allow him to calm down in the school environment, similar to the home environment. A place (corner, near the door) should be arranged for him to sit and think about his mistake, like his other friends, when he exhibits illegal behavior.
Best regards
Exp. Dr. Ahmet ŞENSES
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