Management strategies

A child with ADD/ADHD will find a school with a calm, encouraging and consistent approach, a well-structured routine, clear rules and expectations of standards of work in school and for homework, beneficial.

School and ADD/ADHD

Educational support such as special help from a trained teacher outside the child’s class plus extra help within the class can enable a child to remain in mainstream school. Sometimes needs may be best met via a statement of SEN. One-to-one interaction generally results in improvements in concentration and behaviour (for a short duration). Importantly, the school should have an SEN department that has an understanding of ADD/ADHD.

How to spot the ideal teacher for a child with ADD/ADHD

• Thoroughly knowledgeable about ADD/ADHD and accepts the legitimacy of the disorder.
• Tough as nails about rules, but always calm and positive.
• Ingenious about modifying teaching strategies and materials in order to match the child’s learning style.
• Tailors academic material to suit the child’s abilities and skills.
• Creates assignments that require as much activity on the child’s part as possible.
• Mixes high- and low-interest tasks in tune with the child’s learning style.
• Deals with homework in a pragmatic way.
• Knows when to back off when the child’s level of frustration begins to peak.
• Knows when to back off when the parent’s level of frustration begins to peak.
• Speaks clearly in brief, understandable sentences.
• Looks the child straight in the eye when communicating.
• Runs an absolutely predictable and organised classroom.
• Controls the classroom without being controlling.
• Provides immediate and consistent feedback regarding behaviour.
• Develops a private signal system with the child to gently notify them when they are off task or acting inappropriately.
• Maintains close proximity without being intrusive.
• Ignores minor disruptions; knows how to choose battles.
• Has no problem acting as an auxiliary organiser.
• Maintains an interest in the child as a person even after a trying day.
• Willing to call and meet with parents.
• Has a sense of humour you wouldn’t believe.

Managing ADD/ADHD

‘Management of ADD/ADHD = SF3R’ translates as the core principles for successful management of children with ADD/ADHD: Structure and Flexibility supported by the 3Rs of Respect, Relationships and Role Models.

The overriding message is a structured learning environment, with differentiated work to address the children’s learning weaknesses and adaptations to fit their learning style.

Within this definition one of the letter Rs is often taken to mean Ritalin. Of course medication can have a major role to play in ADD/ADHD management. ADD/...