Do you think…Do you think your child is lazy because he/she never sits down to

study?

Do you get mad at your child when he/she keeps on getting out

of his/her seat?

Do you become very frustrated with your child when he/she is

fidgeting with his/her things?

Do you have to remind your child repeatedly to bring back his

belongings from school and even then he/she forgets it?

Does your child speak out of turn or talks excessively?

Do you feel that in spite of repeating instructions your child does

not listen to you at all?

If You Answered Yes -• You are not alone !• Today, in every classroom across the

country there are several students who have attention deficit and are hyperactive

• Today 3-5% school-age children are estimated to lack attention and are hyperactive

• Boys are more likely to be such than girls

• It is vital for parents/ teachers to understand them and their situation so we as parents and teachers do not feel frustrated, upset, or defeated

Inattention

HyperactivityImpulsivity

TYPES

COMBINED TYPE Inattentive typeHyperactive

OrImpulsive

Symptoms - Inattentiveness• Has trouble staying focused and/or is easily distracted

• Lacks attention and has difficulty sustaining attention

• Makes careless mistakes

• Does not seem to listen when spoken to

• Avoids tasks requiring mental effort

• Is forgetful in daily activities

• Has difficulty remembering things and following instructions

• Has trouble staying organized, planning and finishing projects

• Gets bored with a task or looses items necessary for completing a task

• Frequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys or other items

Note: Girls are more prone to this type

The child should exhibit minimum six of the above for a period of six months

Symptoms – Hyperactivity / Impulsivity

• Fidgets or squirms excessively

• Leaves seat when inappropriate

• Runs about/climbs extensively when inappropriate

• Has difficulty playing quietly

• Often “on the go” or “driven by A motor”

• Talks excessively

• Blurts out answers before question is finished

• Cannot await for his/her turn

• Interrupts when others are talking

The child should exhibit minimum six of the above for a period of six months

Causes• Environmental factors

• Biological factors

• Experiential factors

• Malnutrition

• Neurological factors

Please Note It is NOT about intelligence or lack of motivation

They are highly intelligent and creative

It is NOT a disease

It is a condition which over shadows the child’s intelligence

But right steps at the right time can be beneficial

It is NOT a learning disorder

But if ignored, it can lead to one

It is NOT caused by bad parenting, bad teachers, or by anything you

have done

A person does not have ADHD simply because he/she becomes

distracted or engages in impulsive behaviour

Strengths - Visualization

Vitality

Creativity

Activity

• Winston Churchill

• Florence Nightingale

• Charles Darwin

Many famous and very successful individuals may have suffered from ADD. These include names such as:

• Thomas Edison

• Pablo Picasso

• Jim Carrey

Solutions TherapyCounseling of individual and familyPhysical exercisePlay therapySpecial EducationDiet

Medication

Physical Exercise

• Any sports activity like swimming, tennis, badminton

• Yoga and Meditation- surya namskarasan, rocket making, superman technique, Omkar technique, count techniques

• Running / Climbing Stairs / Jumping

It works best for Conditions like ADHD Learning disorders Concentration Muscular dystrophy Visual errors

Yoga can be beneficial for children

Adolescence is a very stormy period both for girls and boys, and they are prone to many stress-related disorders.

Yoga Techniques which should be a part of routine

DIET

• Include food rich in– Vitamin B– Proteins– Calcium– Omega 3

DIET (Continued…)• Avoid food containing

– Excessive sugar– Fatty acids– Artificial sweeteners– Excessive artificial colours– Carbonated drinks– Caffeine

• Avoid eating fruits like chickoo and water melon on daily basis

• Moderate quantity of table salt• Try not to take syrups for cough and cold

Guiding Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD

1. First of all as a parents you need to relax and be a role model for your child.

2. Don’t skip physical exercise even if exams are around the corner.

3. Maintain a routine and time table. Limit distracting influences during times when child is asked to be on task (i.e. homework)

4. Give two or three instructions at time5. Give your child more immediate feedback and

consequences.6. Use incentives before punishment. Use larger and more

powerful consequences.7. Use lots of social stories to teach moral aspects.

Guiding Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD (cont’d)

6. Pay positive attention to your child…catch them being good

7. Prepare the child in advance for any possible changes in routine

8. Keep their condition in mind9. Don’t compare10. Act ! Because you want them to listen and not just

hear.11. Maintain consistency12. Practice forgiveness

Sample of Time Table

• 7 TO 7.30-exercise• 7.30 to 8.30-study time/more writing practice• 8.30 to 9.00-getting ready to school• 10 to 5.00-school• 5.00 to 6.30-rest/play time• 6.30 to 7.00-study• 7.00 to 7.30-concentration exercise• 7.30 to 8.00-maths time• 8.00 to 8.45 dinner time/tv• 8.45 to 9.15 –recap of the whole day• 9.15 to 9.30-calming activities• Sleep

Other Solutions To Helping The ADHD Child

• Make lessons very clear• Use lots of visuals• Pair students together to complete assignments• Provide hand signals• Play beat the clock• Use behavioral contracts• Use sticker charts• Allow students to move around• Allow more time for tests• Put luggage tags on book bag to remind students of what to bring

home• Have special highlighters for students to use• Use picture mats or file folders cut into thirds to chunk assignments

Note: From Appelbaum Training Institute’s How to Handle the Hard-to-Handle Student Resource Handbook, (2005).

Enemies of 21st century

• Video games• Television• Cartoons

Anything in excess is harmful

CONSISTENCY

CONSISTENCY

CONSISTENCY

CONSISTENCY

CONSISTENCY

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CONSISTENCYCONSISTENCYCONSISTENCY

CONSISTENCY

CONSISTENCY

PARENTS AND TEACHERS

As you deal with ADD students and children, take the advice of Sir Winston Churchill:

“NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!”

Special Educators: Shanthi Sivan and Shivani JoshiSchool Counsellor: Rashmi Lalwani