Trying to manage ADHD in the classroom can be quite frustrating for teachers. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) many times don’t understand why they get in trouble so much with teachers for disrupting the classroom. Because concentration and impulse control are required for a child to learn in a classroom setting, children with ADHD are at a disadvantage in this learning environment.
ADHD in the Classroom
This narrative of ADHD in the classroom written from the child’s point of view was an eyeopener for me:
Imagine that you’re nine years old. You’re sitting in class. Your teacher just gave you directions for the next assignment, but you missed most of what was said because you were playing with the bead chain of the zipper on your jacket. You look around to figure out what you’re supposed to do and notice that others have their science books out. So you pull yours out, too, but you still don’t know what to do. When you ask the boy sitting next to you, he gives you a dirty look and tells you to stop bothering him. You ask someone else who does the same thing and then tells you to ask the teacher.
“Mrs. Peters,” you blurt out. “I don’t know what to do.” Oops! You disturbed the class. She looks annoyed. “What are you supposed to do when you need my help?” she asks. You remember and raise your hand, and she comes over to help. She repeats her original instructions, then prods you a little to get you started. “You only have ten minutes,” she says. “If you don’t finish on time, you’ll have to take it home as homework.” Finally, you’re focused. You complete the first two items, then become distracted when you hear someone using the pencil sharpener. You look around the room for a while, then refocus and do a few more items…”
excerpted from Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child: Eliminating Conflict by Establishing CLEAR, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries by Robert J. Mackenzie (I highly recommend this book if you have a strong-willed child. I had a total paradigm shift in my thinking.)
How can you help your child with ADHD?
Medication: Some parent choose medication. I was extremely hesitant to medicate my young child, but given his extreme behavior, we felt we had no other choice, but approached it cautiously. This is how treatment with a stimulant for ADHD helped our son.
Diet: Some parent swear that changing diet helps children with Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. Here’s a book on the Feingold Diet: All Natural Mom’s Guide to the Feingold Diet: A Natural Approach to ADHD and Other Related Disorders
Essential Oils: Some people swear by using essential oils. In my honest review of using essential oils, I admit, in our experience, that EOs are not 100%, but we have seen marked improvement a majority of the time. Jeddy’s Blend Essential Oil is formulated specifically for ADD/ADHD.
FTC Disclosure: Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means when you click on a link and purchase, I receive a very small commission (at no additional cost to you).
