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.

Why Johnny (Still) Can't Read

This is a summary from an article published 1/11/17 in The Wall Street Journal by Michael Roth.  Many students have had trouble learning how to read.  Horace Mann started the swing by saying whole language was the way to learn to read in the 1800's. In the middle of the 1900's we were swinging the other way where phonics was the most important way to teach reading.

This book, Language at the Speed of Sight, by Mark Seidenberg claims people learn best to read well by connecting reading with speech and practicing.  We are teaching the brain the abstract symbols that produce writing and reading.  First students must learn the alphabet and this requires feedback and practice.

This book states, "the dyslexic brain has trouble recognizing commonalities among words because of a phonological impairment - a deficit in the ability to link sound to word to meaning."  He also states that overall America is "not doing a good enough job of teaching young people deep reading skills."

I like to use both whole language and phonics as an approach.  English has so many secret codes.  silent k's, tch endings, s or es or ies as endings,  (to, two, too), (there, their, they're) and many more. Using a program that can read books to students is good as long as  the student actually looks at the words while they are highlighted and being read to them.  The brain is picking up the image and the sound of words and storing it whether they want to learn or not.  As an Ed Specialist having a one hour pull out per week is not enough time to really make a difference.  A have a twice a week phonics program for older elementary and would like even more time.  When students has ADHD it is hard to concentrate in a room with 25 other students.  Sometimes students don't know as many vocabulary words as others so pictures are some important.  With the visuals, students can obtain deeper meaning.

This article ends with, "Every teacher of young children as well as those who train them should read this book."  So I guess I will buy this and read on.

https://www.amazon.com/Language-Speed-Sight-Can-t-About/dp/0465019323/ref=mt_hardcover?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Is Your Home A Culture for Reading?

I found an article, Building a Culture of Reading for Kids and Parents, Too by Dash Lundy in the Mediaplanet December 2016 issue, and thought I would share some key points.

1.  Reading is not something that happens at school mysteriously by teachers.
2.  "The things that parents do and talk about every day are what children assume to be normal".
3.  So talk about what you read today.
4.  Buy books about things your child is interested in and read and talk about them together.
5.  Share newspaper or magazine articles to read together.
6.  Allow your child to earn electronic time via minutes of reading.
7.  Make sure your child is watching you read.

Before you know it your child has a passion to read.  Also you might need to buy some bookshelves.  I always look for second hand ones to paint together and have another bonding experience.

Attention Please - school help

This is from an article from Family Circle, "Attention Please" by Christine Vercelletto, January 2017

Parents who have a child with a ADHD diagnoses are in for a wild ride.  This child will test your patience, fortitude, and love.  Just remember to have lots of love for them but the following hints from this article might help.

1. Refuse to accept low grade due to the difficulty of managing ADHD.  Yes life and studying will be harder but again that is just life.
2. Exercise before school.  I joined a year round swim team that had practice before school.  Other options include run club before school.  Or just simply riding a bike or jogging together before school.
3. Look for new ways or areas to study or to do homework.  Try the library or a coffee shop.  Read outside together.  Quiz spelling word by passing a ball back and forth.  Be inventive!
4. Encourage topics for research or writing be based on your child's interests.  The teacher will have a better paper and it will be easier for your child to focus on an area of interest.
5.  Get approval for your child to stand in the back of the classroom while the teaching is going on. Sitting and squirming on the floor is distracting for everyone. Also pass out post its so your child can write out questions, so they won't have the need to blurt out.
6. Encourage fidgeting put a strip of Velcro under your child's desk.  "Check out other ideas at autism shop.com under 'Sensory Items'."

Other ideas include
1.  Wake up your child to their favorite music.
2. Speak softy while making eye contact and slowly pull them in for a hug.
3. Do homework in 10 -15 minute blocks throughout the afternoon and evening.
4. Hire a tutor for 90 minutes twice a week for long term projects and studying.
5. Create a picture schedule together on what he is supposed to be doing and when.  Then all you need is to point, limits vocal nagging.

Continue to read the article for more information on social  and home life.

Making your Child Capable

The Family Circle Jan 2017 has a wonderful article called, "What's Your Plan? By Leslie Josel.  I think this is a parent lesson most of us are missing.  Do you ever feel like you are telling your kids what to do over and over?  Do you feel like a broken record?  Do you have unlimited patience?  Do you find yourself just doing what you told them to do because they are not doing it?  This article has some great suggestions.

1. Talking less
2. Directing less
3. Questioning more

The author uses "What's your plan?"...  SO what is your plan after school?  What is your plan for swimming team?  What is your plan to study for the test or write the paper?

I had used this after rehashing perfecting clean clothes that were thrown in the hamper versus one of my children actually putting it away in their drawer.  I cancelled my job and the mom who washes all clothes.  I just washed mine and let the children wash theirs. I taught them how to use the washing machine and dryer.  Then I could set back and say, "What is your plan for having a clean uniform before your game Saturday?"  I only remember one son going to a game in a dirty uniform.  When they went to a game without their water they suddenly remembered to fill up their own water bottle.

The author has more questions for consideration for preteens and teens, such as:
1. "How do you see yourself...?"
2.  "What do you need to ...?"
3. "How should you...?


Here is her quiz.
Instead of saying.                                                                   Ask
GO get your dance shoes, leotard and towel.                    What goes in your bag?
Don't forget your backpack,phone,  key, money.               What do you need for school?
Make your bed and put your clothes in the hamper.    How should your room be left in the morning?

As a teacher I hope to remember to use this tool.

Instead of saying.                                                             I will ask
Here is your pencil and paper.                                 What do you need to did this task?
Get your math book and ruler.                                 What tools do you need for our math lesson
Write your introduction today.                                 What do you want your plan to be for this project?

To Curb the Perils of ADHD, Early Medication Is Key

by Susan Pinker Wall Street Journal August, 20, 2016

Many parents of students with ADHD are choosing not to use medication.  I understand this as their teacher and was somewhat shocked to read this article.  This article is saying that meds taken as a child might offset risks of a teenager. (ie skateboarding into cars, riding bikes into cars, etc)

WOW, I can't believe this.  ADHD is a common childhood disorder qualifying for special education services often.  Nine out of 100 kids between 4 and 18 are being diagnosed with this ailment. "Accidents are the most common cause of death in individuals with ADHD."  According to a Danish study almost half the number of ADHD students who took meds did not need to go to the emergency room.

It is a myth to believe your child will grow out of ADHD which is a "neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic roots".  There is also a study in South Carolina where data was tracked and again students taking meds for ADHD and fewer and less severe injuries and health problems.

Their conclusion, " A child whose disorder is diagnosed and treated early by a trained clinician stands a better chance of growing into a healthy and thoughtful adult".  Now that is something to think about.

Why Testing Gray Matter is Sometimes a Gray Area

This article is from the Wall Street Journal August 6/7, 2016 by Jo Craven McGinty.  I have to administer achievement tests for students on my case load so I was interested.  The article says scores can vary "10 points in either directions."  That is something to think about.

The purpose of the test is to show Special Education classes are needed or that a student is qualified for gate classes.  But the author felts that the tests "only explain 40% to 50% of school achievement.

What I like reading the most was, "It turns out that qualities such as motivation, determination, and a desire to succeed--qualities that IQ tests don't measure-- play a significant role in success."

So don't worry about standardized testing - work hard, ask questions, read, take notes, try harder, get extra help, rewrite notes, go to study sessions, do your homework  and you should be able to do it!!