2. Math Difficulties Experienced by ADHD Students Many students with ADHD dislike and even dread math because they have specific difficulty with math computation skills such as: Carelessness and inaccurate computation Misalignment of problems on paper Difficulty organizing and copying problems Inattention to processing math signs Trouble memorizing and recalling basic facts (Rief, 1993)
3. What’s the Best Approach? Sandra F. Rief explains in her book, How to Reach and Teach ADD/ADHD Children, that students with ADHD can learn best with the following approaches: Hands-on discovery Problem-solving approach Cooperative learning
4. Hands-on Discovery This approach encourages the ADHD learner to use a variety of concrete materials to teach concepts. ADHD students are guided to make their own discoveries, moving from the concrete to symbolic levels. (Rief, 1993)
5. Technology Integration Supports Hands-on Approach Computer technology provides student: Manipulation of variables Exploration of complex systems Product creation (Roblyer & Doering, 2008)
6. Problem Solving Approach This approach encourages ADHD students to solve problems in meaningful ways by: Providing questioning strategies Encouraging solutions to problems Supporting the development of their own strategies Allowing self-evaluation of their own results (Rief,1993)
7. Technology Integration Supports Problem Solving Computer technology provides students: Posed problems through video-based scenarios Simulations Instructional games (Roblyer & Doering, 2008)
8. Cooperative Learning This approach allows ADHD students to work together in order to explore, solve problems, and share discoveries. This approach also encourages interactive, cooperative groups that help increase participation and active engagement of ADHD students. (Rief, 1993)
9. Technology Integration Supports Cooperative Learning Computer technology provides students to: Do collaborative Internet research Create multimedia/web page group products Compete in instructional group/team games (Roblyer & Doering, 2008)
10. Math Computer Technology Resources There is supporting research that says computer technology resources help students with ADHD (Rief, 1993). It is beneficial to students if both teachers and parents have a store of resources to access. The following are only a few of the many online resources available that can help students with ADHD math instruction. http://www.coolmath-games.com http://resources.oswego.org/games/ http://www.mathplayground.com
