Libby Young discovers websites devoted to ADD and ADHD
Learners with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can present a teaching challenge. Log on to the internet for some background information as well as practical classroom hints.
The Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity website provides a variety of fact sheets and a paper about how to make school discipline work for both teachers and children with ADD. The site also hosts monthly online chat sessions with experts.
Chadd
Adders.org links to software designed to help ADD/ADHD learners with their studies, including mathematics programmes that teachers can download free of charge.
Adders
ADD Choices takes a look at strategy choices for teachers and parents once ADD has been diagnosed. Techniques include using a waxy string or clay to teach the formation of letters and numbers; using a timer to help children get through homework periods; and head- phones to help them concentrate. Many more interesting ideas are outlined for use both in the classroom and at home.
Add Choices
For support or just some feedback from other people who deal with ADHD on a daily basis, log on to the ADHD discussion forum. Based in the United Kingdom, it covers all aspects of the disorder and provides some interesting insights into what it’s like to live with a child or adult with ADHD, as well as attitudes towards drugs like Ritalin.
ADHD Discussion Forum
KidSource offers some practical help for teachers with a two-part article entitled “Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Disorder”. It includes advice on how to give instructions to learners with ADD, and how to establish a proper learning environment. Part 1:
Kidsource
Part 2:
Kidsource
For a more positive look at ADD, visit Born to Explore, a web site created by Teresa Gallagher after her extremely active and accident-prone toddler got his first set of stitches and had to wear a bicycle helmet around the house. The site includes tips for teachers and a bibliography of helpful books.
Born to Explore
ADD and ADHD ADD is characterised by short attention span, hyperactivity and poor concentration. People affected are usually of normal or above average intelligence. Boys are 10 times more likely to have ADD than girls. While there is no known cure, symptoms often subside or disappear with time.
ADHD is marked by more persistent hyperactivity than ADD. Children with ADHD often have trouble paying attention , make careless mistakes, are easily distracted, have trouble finishing work and listening, and are impatient, fidget, talk too much and have difficulty playing quietly.
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, November 2001.