ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects about 5% of children and can persist into adulthood. The exact causes are unknown but genetics and chemical imbalances in the brain are thought to play a role. Symptoms vary depending on the subtype, which include primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, and combined presentation. Effective classroom interventions include environmental modifications, academic accommodations, behavior management strategies, and sometimes medication. With appropriate support, students with ADHD can succeed academically and develop their strengths.

1. ADD and ADHDADD and ADHD
Brandon CookBrandon Cook
Brittany LorickBrittany Lorick
Kaylan PenlandKaylan Penland
Sarah LundquistSarah Lundquist

2. ADHDADHD
http://www.webmd.com/video/diagnosing-ad

3. What is ADHDADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder.
There are 3 subtypes of ADHD. These
include the primarily inattentive type,
primarily hyperactive/impulsive type,
and the combined type. Each of these
subtypes bears different symptoms
ADD stands for Attention Deficit
Disorder

4. How prevalent is ADHD?
• 3-5% of all individuals have ADHD
• It occurs in boys as opposed to girls
at a rate of 2 or 3 to 1
• 3-7% of students have ADHD… this
makes ADHD the most commonly
diagnosed childhood psychiatric
disorder

5. The Brain and ADHDThe Brain and ADHD
• ADHD brains are thought to have a smaller
prefrontal cortex
• Most doctors agree that ADHD is the result
of a chemical imbalance in the brain,
including the lack of dopamine and
norepinephrine

6. Causes of ADHDCauses of ADHD
• Heredity
• Difficulties during pregnancy
• Prenatal exposure to alcohol/tobacco
• Premature delivery/significantly low birth weight
• High levels of lead in body
• Postnatal injury to the prefrontal brain regions
• Living in unstructured homes
• Food additives, food allergies, inner ear problems,
vitamin deficiencies, or bacterial infection

7. ADHD SymptomsADHD Symptoms
Primarily Inattentive
Type:
• Doesn’t pay attention to
detail
• Makes careless mistakes
• Has trouble paying
attention
• Has difficulty following
instructions.
• Easily distracted
• Forgetful
Primarily
Hyperactive/Impulsive
Type:
• Fidgets
• Squirms in chair
• Runs talks, and climbs excessively
• Blurts out answers
• Has trouble waiting and taking
turns
** The combined type displays symptoms of
both the Primarily Inattentive Type and the
Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive Type.

8. Simulation ExerciseSimulation Exercise
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=oCbrQp3MIwc&feature=related

9. Positive CharacteristicsPositive Characteristics
• Creativity
• Enthusiasm
• Highly Verbal
• Imaginative
• Humorous
• Compassionate
• Exciting
• Innovative
• Spontaneous
• Resourceful
• Outgoing
• Good-hearted
• Observant
• Caring

10. People with ADHD canPeople with ADHD can
do some great things!do some great things!

11. Five Interventions forFive Interventions for
students with ADHDstudents with ADHD
• Environmental Support
– Teachers should limit environmental
distractions (such as mobiles), adjust seating
placement, and allow students to use desk
carrels
• Academic Interventions
– Teachers should only emphasis on important
information, break long reading passages into
smaller parts, and give students extended time
to complete work

12. Five Interventions forFive Interventions for
students with ADHDstudents with ADHD
• Behavior Interventions
– Teachers should emphasize structure and
rewards with less focus on consequences.
• Parent Education
• Medication
– Stimulant Medications including Adderall and
Ritalin are most commonly used to treat ADHD.
– There are currently 2.5 mil. Students taking
medication for ADHD

13. Alternative TreatmentsAlternative Treatments
• Dietary Interventions
• Neurofeedback Treatment
• Chiropractic Medicine

14. A few tips when havingA few tips when having
a student with ADHDa student with ADHD
• Figure out what things are hard for the student.
• Simplify instructions, choices, and scheduling.
• Work together with the parents to meet the student’s needs.
• Review previous lessons.
• Use audiovisual materials.
• Perform ongoing student evaluations.
• Lower the noise level of the classroom.
• Divide work into smaller sections.
• Reduce or eliminate timed tests.
• Provide advanced warning when you are going to end an activity or
lesson.
• Preview the next lesson.

15. What does it take toWhat does it take to
be an effectivebe an effective
teacher?teacher?
• Teachers who:
– Flexible, enthusiastic, and positive role models
– Creative, challenging, and maintain high
expectations of all students
– Encourage and welcome parents and volunteers
in the classroom
– Provide balance, options, variety, and choices
– Are willing to devote time the extra time and
effort needed to implement interventions and
modifications

16. Legislation RegardingLegislation Regarding
Students with ADHDStudents with ADHD
Students with ADHD may be protected
by the Rehabilitation Act Section
504 depending on the severity of
symptoms

17. Obtaining Assistance/Obtaining Assistance/
Professional SupportProfessional Support
ServicesServices• Local:
– Life Management Center
• State:
– South Carolina Department of Mental Health
• National:
– National Resource Center on ADHD
– CHADD- The Nations leading advocacy and
support organization

18. ReferencesReferences
• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
• www.ada.gov
• www.nichcy.org
• www.help4adhd.org
• http://www.ed.gov/
• http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
• Capaccio, G. (2008). Add and adhd. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall
Cavendish Benchmark.
• Friend, M., & Bursuck, W. (2009). Including students with
special needs. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education
Inc.
•