A Natural Fix for A.D.H.D.

An article written by Richard A. Freidman published in the New York Times on Sunday, November 2, 2014.  His opening statement, " The problem is not just your brain.  The problem is boredom,"  made me want to read more.  As a special education teacher I work with students who have been labeled with 'the most prevalent psychiatric illness'.

The author has a good point, "people with A.D.H.D. may not have a disease, so much as a set of behavioral traits that don't match the expectations of our contemporary culture."  The real problem may be the world they live in is not very interesting; a lack of focus and lack of attention and impulsive behavior are a way that they deal with 'our' world today.

It is interesting when a person with A.D.H.D. can maintain intense focus on something they find interesting.  You may wonder how adults grow out of this problem.  They may not but they choose to work in fields where things are constantly changing.  They might be salesmen, travel a lot, teach...

But back to students with A.D.H.D. - how can we help them learn better?  

1. small classes that use hands on learning

2. self-paced computer learning (Learning Upgrade?)

3. tasks that depend on specific skills

Teachers have to remember not to crush the 'energy, curiousity, novelty-seeking' behavior but try to have these students become an asset to the class.