ADHD/ ADD

CHARACTERISTICS AND
STRATEGIES FOR
INTERVENTION

Dickey LaMoure Special Education Unit

What is the difference
between ADHD and ADD?

 ADHD (Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity

Disorder) is the term used in (DSM-
IV-TR) Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders .
 ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is the
older term from the DSM-III R.
Treatment and Causes
 ADHD is a neurological disorder
that requires a medical
diagnosis and treatment.

 Heredity explains 80% of

ADHD-like behavior.

 Environmental factors explain

20% of behavior.
 What type of
ADHD does this
child have?
1. Inattentive Type
 Doesn’t pay
attention to
details;
 Can’t stay
focused;
 Doesn’t follow
through;
 Can’t organize;
 Gets distracted;
 Loses things.
2. Hyperactive-impulsive Type
 Fidgets, squirms;
 Runs around or
climbs constantly;
 Has trouble playing
quietly;
 Blurts out answers;
 Has trouble waiting
his/her turn;
 Has trouble starting
or changing tasks.
3. Combined Type
 Doesn't pay attention;
 Doesn't seem to listen;
 Is easily distracted;
 Is disorganized;
 Fidgets;
 Runs or climbs;
 Talks continually;
 Avoids difficult tasks;
 Doesn’t consider
consequences.
What does this mean for
the child in school?
 Kids with AD/HD may be
delayed 30% of their actual age
in ability to pay attention and
remember.

 They are not able to focus and

use self-control.

 They can’t sit and concentrate

on instruction.
Eligibility Areas for Special
Education

 Specific Note:
Learning
 Some students
Disability
with ADHD do not
qualify for special
 Emotionally
education
Disturbed
services.
 Other Health  Some may qualify
Impaired for a 504 plan.
How can I help this child?
 Use behavior management
strategies at home and at school;
 Request classroom
accommodations;
 Use doctor-
recommended
medications;
 Facilitate information exchange
between doctors-school-home.
Support at Home and
School
 Set up regular routine for
homework.

 Schedule regular breaks for

activity every 10 or 15
minutes.

 Offer rewards for doing

homework.
Support at Home and
School
 Give non-judgmental,
constructive feedback.

 Provide high interest

books and materials.

 Use assignment book.

Communication
 Use a home-school
communication system;
 Hold student-parent-teacher
meetings;
 Assist teachers to use
his/her strengths and talents
at school.
School Issues
 Off-task behavior;
 Disorganization;
 Sloppy work;
 Not following directions;
 Errors;
 Disruptive behavior;
 Daydreaming;
 Social interaction difficulties.
AD/HD-Related Memory
Problems

 Working memory

 Retrieval
Organization Difficulties
· Time management;

· Prioritizing work;

· Reading/listening
comprehension;

· Note taking;

· Study skills;

· Multi-step tasks.
Classroom
Accommodations

 Physical arrangement of
room and schedule;

 Instructional
accommodations.
Instruction
Accommodations

 Incorporate technology
with oral instruction;

 Accept alternate
assignments;

 Teach skills needed.

Testing
Accommodations
 Provide study guides;

 Change evaluation methods

to suit the child's learning
styles and strengths;

 Allow use of technology

(calculator, word-processor).
Grade Accommodations

 Mark correct answers;

 Base grades on standards

with adaptations;

 Specify skills mastered.

Homework
 Limit homework;
 Give adapted assignments;
 Allow extra credit;
 Allow work at school;
 Provide written explanation;
 Assign a study buddy;
 Provide reminders about due
dates;
 Utilize school website.
Organization
 Allow time for locker/ backpack
organization;
 Organize materials and
assignments;
 Use daily and weekly
organization and clean up
routines;
 Use a 3-ring binder;

 Follow-through.
Self-control
 Prepare student for transitions;
 Display rules;
 Give behavior prompts;
 Have clear consequences;
 Provide time to de-stress;
 Allow mindless motor
movement;
 Use activity rewards;
 Provide supervision.
Working Memory
 Focus on one concept;

 List steps;

 Write work down;

 Use reading guides;

 Teach note-taking;

 Provide study guides;

 Let student use computer.

Memory Retrieval
 Teach memory devices;

 Practice sorting main ideas and

details;

 Teach information and

organization skills;

 Make test accommodations as

necessary.
Attention Getters and
Keepers
 Repeat directions;
 Increase task structure;

 Highlight, color code and teach

keyword underlining skills;

 Summarize key information;

 Give visual cues;

 Have class start together.

Problems sticking with
and finishing tasks:

 Add interest and activity;

 Divide tasks into segments;

 Shorten tasks.
Advocate for your child

 Become knowledgeable
about AD/HD;

 Discuss AD/HD, using books

or Web sites;

 Share management
strategies in community.
 The End
Where can I get
more information?
 Organization Names:
 Pathfinder Family Center
 North Dakota's federally-funded PTI (Parent Training and
Information Center)
 Contact Person: Kathryn Erickson, Executive Director
 Address: 1600 2nd Ave. SW Suite 19, Minot, ND 58701-
3459
 Phone: 701-837-7500 or toll free parent line in North
Dakota - 1-800-245-5840
 Fax: 701-837-7548
 Email: ndpath01@minot.ndak.net
 Web: www.pathfinder.minot.com and www.pacer.org
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CH.A
.D.D.)
 499 NW 70th Avenue, Suite 109
Plantation, FL 33317
(305) 587-3700 (800) 233-4050
www.chadd.org
 Center for Mental Health Services
Organization Names:
 Office of Consumer, Family, and Public Information
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15-105
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-2792
 National Attention Deficit Disorder Association
 The National Institute of Mental Health ADHD Page
 Learning Disabilities Association of America
 LD OnLine - an award-winning Web site offering in-depth
information, audio and video clips, expert advice and a
monthly newsletter for parents and professionals and for
children and adults with LD and/or ADHD
 CHADD Support Groups for ADHD in the US, by state.
 The National Information Center for Children and Youth wi
th Disabilities
NICHCY is the national information and referral center
that provides information on disabilities and disability-
related issues for families, educators, and other
professionals.