ADHD and Education : A Resource for Teachers (48 page PDF)
EDUCATION
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD she or he will most likely have problems at school.
The younger child
May often be out of their seat
Can’t wait their turn
Doesn’t follow instructions
Seems disinterested
Makes careless mistakes
Gets involved in and interrupts other children’s work
Gets into trouble constantly in the playground
Is fidgety and restless
Doesn’t finish tasks
The older child
Can’t seem to be in the right class at the right time with the right books
Doesn’t have the homework written down from each class
Doesn’t structure their work properly
Cannot organise study for exams
Can’t start homework
Can’t sustain the attention required to finish homework, projects etc
May simply avoid tasks that seem too onerous despite that fact that this may mean detention etc
Does not do as well in exams as would be expected according to their ability
If you have concerns about your child at school you should talk to your child’s teacher and to your local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) with a view to having
- An Educational Assessment
- An Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Classroom Management
There are some simple strategies for classroom management.
Parents Role
It is most likely that your teacher, who has been struggling with your child’s difficulties, will welcome your intervention. Parent / teacher collaboration is vital for success in supporting your child and helping them achieve their potential. Communication between parents and teachers is necessary to ensure that class room management and home management are consistent and support each other. Structure and consistency are vital.
It is also important to remember that parents have a primary role to play in their children’s education and are a vital advocate for their children in the education system. As your child enters secondary school the demands on them may appear quite daunting. As a parent you can work to ensure that
Your child’s difficulties are understood
Their strengths are built upon
Resources are provided including what is known as “reasonable accommodations” at exams time
Negotiating through the education system can seem difficult but your local SENO should be able to assist. The role of the SENO is to be a local contact point to help parents secure services for their child in their journey through the education system. You will find your local SENO at http://www.ncse.ie/docs/SENO
Contact_Details_November_2007.pdf
Our section on ADHD and Studying may be a help to your child.
