Recognizing ADHD in the Classroom

Symptoms of ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the Classroom

Recognizing ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD:
Hyperactivity (Restlessness)
Fidgety, wiggling in seat
Hums and makes noises
Taps fingers and feet

Overactive
Out of seat
Wanders around room
Runs in hall
Asks to be excused frequently

Inattention
Easily distracted - looking around
Poor eye contact
Doesn’t seem to be listening
Notices or responds to irrelevant sounds or activities

Impulsivity
Needs excessive supervision
Impatient - cannot wait turn
Trouble staying in line
Talks out of turn
Hands in sloppy work
Low frustration tolerance
Excessive excitability

May Have
Poor vision motor coordination
Poor handwriting
Difficulty writing
More difficulty writing than talking

Learning Difficulties
Inconsistent recall - knows material one day, forgets it the next
Easily frustrated - avoids difficult assignments
Fails to generalize - doesn’t understand principles
Disorganized - loses assigned work

Social
Oppositional, defiant
Sassy, lacks inhibition, "manners"
Lies - blames others
Bossy; bully; pushy with peers
Poor response to social clues
Clowns around
Unpopular; not respected
Doesn’t notice when others are annoyed

What the Teacher Can Do:

1. Decrease distractions
2. Increase clarity
3. Give brief assignments
4. Use a one- to three-minute break between work time
5. Catch the child doing well
6. Use reinforcements
7. Involve the principal and other resource personnel at school
8. Use the resource room
9. Collaborate with the parent
10. Use special education and resource room support and quiet time
11. Collaborate with physicians

 

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