ADHD Symptoms and Your Childs Education by Helene Goldnadel
There can be no escaping the fact that it can be quite a tricky task teaching a child who exhibits ADHD symptoms, who thus carries all of the 'baggage' that the associated ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) condition usually brings. These problems are often seen to be at their worst when it comes to finding a school that is appropriate for any child who endures such ADHD symptoms.
Some schools are aware of this, and also of the problems that children affected by ADHD (and the other associated forms of Attention deficit disorder - ADD) may suffer. These more enlightened schools have often recognized the problem already, having already taken significant steps to address the issue.
But there are still many schools that lag behind in their arrangements and often these schools are not in a position to answer the individual needs of a child exhibiting ADHD symptoms and characteristics. Unfortunately, the often negative influence of a child who is affected by ADHD can often be clearly seen in the classroom, even before any official diagnosis of the child's condition has been attempted.
For example, it can be seen in the over boisterous boy who is persistently disturbing his classmates or in the small girl sitting in the corner, toying absent-mindedly with her hair, her mind somewhere far away.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it is usually the teacher who would first recognizes that a particular student is having problems paying attention in class or is unnecessarily overactive. But identifying the situation is only the first step, and definitely not the most difficult part.
Undoubtedly, that is going to be the process of attempting to alter the child's inattentive or hyperactive attitude or behavior, and it is obviously unrealistic for anyone to expect that ADHD symptoms will simply 'go away'!
Before any kind of 'dealing with' process can be begun, of course, everyone actually has to acknowledge and agree that the disorder exists. It only after such a proper diagnosis has been made that proper action can be taken.
At this point, the decision will then need to be made as to whether medicine is required, or if it can be avoided.
This decision is a critical one, given the often invasive nature of many chemical based medicines, and would generally be determined by the extent of the
ADHD symptoms shown by the particular child in question. This will also determine the subsequent course of the treatment, perhaps for the longer term, and therefore arriving at the correct conclusion is of paramount importance.
Now, accepting that ADHD is a condition that tends to be irksome to others, some schools may take the 'easy way out', adding to the child's suffering by giving sometimes unnecessary medicines.
Still other schools will, however, adopt a more patient stance and avoid medicines wherever possible, thus generally complying with the wishes of the child's parents. If you are in the situation of having a child who exhibits ADHD symptoms in school, then whether your child is able to cope with the situation is likely to be determined by the kind of school he or she is in.
In the ideal world, your child should be at a school that understands that the most effective way of addressing an ADHD child's problems is for everyone to work together as a team. They must accept and understand that your child's ADHD symptoms will not just 'go away'. It is only by accepting and working with (or sometimes, around) your child's ADHD that a school can enable your child to achieve their best.
Regrettably, however, there are still many schools that lack this open-minded attitude and vision, especially in small communities or those where money may be scarce. No doubt that a child demonstrating ADHD symptoms can be hard to control, and even harder to instruct, as they are often pretty chaotic and disruptive characters. It is therefore perhaps no surprise, but still no less disappointing, that some schools will refuse to accommodate such unruly children, even in this day and age.
On the other hand, there are plenty of schools who will accept and accommodate ADHD affected children, who will indeed make great efforts to help the situation.
Sometimes this is done by placing the child with the disorder in corrective classes, even though there is a school of thought that such 'differentiation' of a child at this age can lead to longer term isolationist problems.
Other schools are set up so that they are able to handle the child who exhibits ADHD symptoms in the 'normal' class, with all the other kids. Where this works, this is undoubtedly the most satisfactory all round solution, but to achieve this does require the allocation of often scant resources, putting it out of the financial reach of many institutions.
Remember that, in the final analysis, your child cannot help having and demonstrating ADHD symptoms, and cannot always control the actions and behavior that result from their condition.
It is your job, as a parent, to accept your child as they are, and to always look after the well-being of your child. You should always therefore strive to make sure that you discuss any matters pertaining to our child with his or her teachers, in an effort to come to a conclusion that is in the best interests of your child.
Always remember that they did not choose to exhibit the affects of ADHD symptoms, and act accordingly.
Some schools are aware of this, and also of the problems that children affected by ADHD (and the other associated forms of Attention deficit disorder - ADD) may suffer. These more enlightened schools have often recognized the problem already, having already taken significant steps to address the issue.
But there are still many schools that lag behind in their arrangements and often these schools are not in a position to answer the individual needs of a child exhibiting ADHD symptoms and characteristics. Unfortunately, the often negative influence of a child who is affected by ADHD can often be clearly seen in the classroom, even before any official diagnosis of the child's condition has been attempted.
For example, it can be seen in the over boisterous boy who is persistently disturbing his classmates or in the small girl sitting in the corner, toying absent-mindedly with her hair, her mind somewhere far away.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it is usually the teacher who would first recognizes that a particular student is having problems paying attention in class or is unnecessarily overactive. But identifying the situation is only the first step, and definitely not the most difficult part.
Undoubtedly, that is going to be the process of attempting to alter the child's inattentive or hyperactive attitude or behavior, and it is obviously unrealistic for anyone to expect that ADHD symptoms will simply 'go away'!
Before any kind of 'dealing with' process can be begun, of course, everyone actually has to acknowledge and agree that the disorder exists. It only after such a proper diagnosis has been made that proper action can be taken.
At this point, the decision will then need to be made as to whether medicine is required, or if it can be avoided.
This decision is a critical one, given the often invasive nature of many chemical based medicines, and would generally be determined by the extent of the
ADHD symptoms shown by the particular child in question. This will also determine the subsequent course of the treatment, perhaps for the longer term, and therefore arriving at the correct conclusion is of paramount importance.
Now, accepting that ADHD is a condition that tends to be irksome to others, some schools may take the 'easy way out', adding to the child's suffering by giving sometimes unnecessary medicines.
Still other schools will, however, adopt a more patient stance and avoid medicines wherever possible, thus generally complying with the wishes of the child's parents. If you are in the situation of having a child who exhibits ADHD symptoms in school, then whether your child is able to cope with the situation is likely to be determined by the kind of school he or she is in.
In the ideal world, your child should be at a school that understands that the most effective way of addressing an ADHD child's problems is for everyone to work together as a team. They must accept and understand that your child's ADHD symptoms will not just 'go away'. It is only by accepting and working with (or sometimes, around) your child's ADHD that a school can enable your child to achieve their best.
Regrettably, however, there are still many schools that lack this open-minded attitude and vision, especially in small communities or those where money may be scarce. No doubt that a child demonstrating ADHD symptoms can be hard to control, and even harder to instruct, as they are often pretty chaotic and disruptive characters. It is therefore perhaps no surprise, but still no less disappointing, that some schools will refuse to accommodate such unruly children, even in this day and age.
On the other hand, there are plenty of schools who will accept and accommodate ADHD affected children, who will indeed make great efforts to help the situation.
Sometimes this is done by placing the child with the disorder in corrective classes, even though there is a school of thought that such 'differentiation' of a child at this age can lead to longer term isolationist problems.
Other schools are set up so that they are able to handle the child who exhibits ADHD symptoms in the 'normal' class, with all the other kids. Where this works, this is undoubtedly the most satisfactory all round solution, but to achieve this does require the allocation of often scant resources, putting it out of the financial reach of many institutions.
Remember that, in the final analysis, your child cannot help having and demonstrating ADHD symptoms, and cannot always control the actions and behavior that result from their condition.
It is your job, as a parent, to accept your child as they are, and to always look after the well-being of your child. You should always therefore strive to make sure that you discuss any matters pertaining to our child with his or her teachers, in an effort to come to a conclusion that is in the best interests of your child.
Always remember that they did not choose to exhibit the affects of ADHD symptoms, and act accordingly.
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