| Children with ADD/ADHD (hereafter referred to | | | | the child get up and move around. |
| as ADHD) are creative, energetic, imaginative, and | | | | - Ask yourself, is it really necessary for my child |
| resourceful people. They have a wonderful spirit | | | | to be sitting to do his work? Will he get the same |
| and you wouldn't trade your child's personality for | | | | result if I allow him to stand to do his work? |
| the world. But sometimes, there's school work to | | | | - Provide as many hands-on activities as possible. |
| be done. Sometimes, you really need your child to | | | | - Teach to your child's strengths and talents. |
| sit still. Sometimes you really just want a few | | | | - Keep things in perspective. Remember that your |
| minutes of peace. Or is that just true at my | | | | child is not doing any of these things to |
| house? | | | | misbehave. |
| Learning doesn't have to be a chore for the | | | | - Minimize distractions. I found that something at |
| ADHD student. It seems to me to be such a | | | | simple as asking my son write with a regular |
| waste to bore these wonderful minds when it | | | | pencil as opposed to a mechanical pencil made a |
| just takes a little bit of creativity on our part to | | | | huge difference. He liked to distract himself by |
| keep them going. In my thirteen years of being a | | | | playing with the lead. |
| parent to an ADHD child, I have learned a lot | | | | - Develop a regular routine. |
| about what works and what doesn't. I've taught | | | | - Give your student something to hold in her |
| public school classrooms with students all over the | | | | hands while you give instructions. Give her a piece |
| ADHD spectrum. Some have been medicated. | | | | of modeling clay or let her color while you read |
| Some have not. Regardless of the severity of | | | | aloud. She will actually absorb more of what you |
| their condition or the presence of medication or | | | | say when she has something to do. |
| other therapies, I have found some strategies | | | | - Use a written plan or contract with your child. |
| that really helped my ADHD kids to become | | | | This gives your child a concrete goal. |
| better learners. | | | | - Place something for them to touch in their work |
| If you're reading this article, you are probably | | | | area. A piece of Velcro works well. It provides |
| already aware of the characteristics and | | | | the student something to focus on and keeps the |
| symptoms of a child with Attention Deficit | | | | impulse to wander around at bay. |
| (Hyperactivity) Disorder. You may notice | | | | - Keep the work area free of mess. A messy |
| impulsivity, inattention, hyperactivity, | | | | area will tend to overwhelm the child. He'll get the |
| disorganization, hyper-focus, or forgetfulness. You | | | | feeling that he doesn't really know where to start. |
| may have noticed these symptoms even before | | | | - Use binders for subjects to help your child keep |
| your child was of school age. Then, when he or | | | | her work organized. Organization is one of the |
| she starts school, either homeschool or public | | | | toughest things that ADHD people come up |
| private schooling, you begin to have your | | | | against. |
| concerns verified when you notice failure to | | | | - Most importantly, be flexible. One of these tips |
| complete assignments in a timely manner, | | | | may work one day and not the next. You'll need |
| disorganized work habits, or producing messy or | | | | to mix things up to keep your ADHD child from |
| careless work. However, school does not have to | | | | becoming bored. |
| be a struggle for the ADHD child or the parent | | | | Homeschooling parents can find activities that are |
| teacher. | | | | specially geared for the ADHD student at |
| Some of the strategies I have found to be | | | | >" target="_blank" They |
| successful are: | | | | have many, many lessons that stretch across the |
| - Allow for breaks in the lesson or homework. Let | | | | curriculum and are tagged for ADHD learners. |