3. What We Know Inattentive: Fails to give close attention to details Difficulty sustaining attention Does not seem to listen when spoken to Fails to finish schoolwork, chores, activities Difficulty organizing tasks Avoids activities involving sustained mental activity Loses necessary items Easily distracted Forgetful Hyperactive: Fidgets or squirms in seat Often leaves seat Runs or climbs in inappropriate situations Difficulty playing quietly Described as “driven by a motor” “always on the go” Talks excessively Impulsive: Blurts out answers Difficulty waiting turn Interrupts/intrudes on others
4. … and Some symptoms were present before age 7. Impairment is present in 2 or more settings. There must be evidence of significant impairment in social or academic functioning. The symptoms have lasted more than 6 months. The symptoms may not be explained by another condition, such as a medical or mental health condition.
18. Can you learn without paying attention? (Yes! I hit a deer this summer!) Can you pay attention without learning? (Yes! I went to a class conducted in Urdu! I paid very close attention! I learned nothing!) Attention & Learning
19. Multitasking vs. Mindfulness The brain likes: Novelty? Too much novelty is fatiguing. Too little novelty is boring. Challenge? If it’s too challenging it’s demotivating. Not challenging enough…boring (again with boring!) Pleasure? Yeah, baby! Good smells, good food, beautiful things, music, color, the list goes on. Some people are more “sensory” than others. Some of our less verbal students respond better to these stimuli. Excitement? It’s a bell curve- again, too much is as bad as too little. So Get it Right, Would Ya? (Or maybe it’s not meant to stay perfect)
20. Thanks, Teacher ! Ways teachers help students navigate through the information tornado: 1. ADVANCE ORGANIZERS BEFORE Informing the student ahead of time which information to look for before it “flies by,” in the tornado, and when to look for it. 2. INFORMATION MAPS DURING Helping the student organize information. 3. CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING AFTER 4. REPEATING IMPORTANT INFORMATION AGAIN and making it available for review.
21. QUESTIONS ? Websites: Department of Public Instruction adhd.com chadd.org addresources.org ADD consults store – for materials National Association of School Psychologists (nasponline.org)
