Books: Driven to Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey. Also Answers to Distraction, same authors.
I'm not a teacher, but I would try to wait out the screaming fits. If she learns that she can cry herself sick so she can go home, she's going to be a tyrant in your classroom.
Thanks for the advice about the book.
And yes, when she said 'I can go home now' we told her 'No, your fine now, lets go back inside' poor child wonders what is going on. When she made a fuss (cried/was sick etc) at her old school they sent her straight home, no wonder she thinks the same will happen.
I'm sorry to hear that Mom Busy. I have a diverse class in every way and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Your advice is very true, she has really settled down this week (touch wood). She seems to be mixing much better as well although I think this will still take some time.
Thank you for the advice.
Lottie x
I am a teacher and have been for four years. I have worked with many ADD and ADHD children.
I refocus them when they loose focus. I say things like, Keep your pencil moving, What should you be doing? I try to focus on their work. And then they refocus.
I do drills with my class. These really seem to help keep the add and adhd kids focused and on task. Here is one.
I will give instruction for a transition from one subject to another like, "Put away your science books and get out your markers for art. " Then I start the drill
"In order to do your best, feet under your desk, hands on top, listen don't stop, eyes on me, I'm ready one two three."
When the drill ends I look to see who has followed the instructions. I praise those that are all ready for the next lesson and move on.
The drill helps the distracted ones to know that something is going on and they start to look around to see what they should be doing.
Here is another thing I have tried that works well with ADHD kids. I put a sticky note on their desk. I put five slashes on the note. Each time I catch them doing something good - being quiet, answering quesions with the class, being quiet, etc, I initial a slash. When they get 5 slashes initialed, I send a good note home. It is simple and you are looking for the positive. ADHD kids respond well to positive things. One little boy in my class last year was so excited to get a good note home that he tried so hard to get his slashes filled. I think he was so used to getting bad notes and going to time out, etc, that the idea of a good note home shocked him. His face lit up when I explained it to him and he immediately responded. Other kids around the ones who are distracted sometimes ask about the notes and when I explain it to them, they want a sticky note too.
great advise addi: i wish all teachers took the time to do that. kudos goes out to you.
lotti: i have a 6 year old with adhd/odd and he doesnt respond well with loud noises so i ask the teacher to warn him b4 music starts, b4 bell rings cuz it freaks him out. i would call the mother and explain to her that you want the child to excel, and admit that you are new to this condition and ask her for advice on how to handle it. keep her posted on the positives as well as the bad....i bet she will help you reinforce it at home,ex i got a wonderful note from your teacher and it said you were very good for her, i am so proud of you. or she could say we need to work on your talking in class, and she could practice with the child.
children with this disibility need a schedule and i find if my sons schedule is interupted he is so bad.
positive reinforcements such as i am proud of you on the way you did_____., or even by giving a thumbs up sign, are so great with adhd kids. and a lot of them need to the point instructions otherwise it goes ever there heads.
kudos to you for asking for help and loving your job so much to do research.
let us know how it is going
this is a great place for that.
Hi
I am a teacher at a primary school and this week we had a five year old girl with ADHD start in my class. I don't know much about the condition (despite hours of research on the internet!) so I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice?
She responds well to stampers and stickers immediately but five seconds later they mean nothing to her. She cries (really screams) every morning to the extent that she has made herself sick 'now I can go home'.
She is loving and very tactile with us so I know she is comfortable in our company but she has issues with the other children. She also finds it very hard to sit down for more than five minutes, I know this is a symptom of the condition but does anyone have any tips on how to handle this in a classroom situation?
All advice would be greatfully received! Thank you
Thanks for the great advice both!! It really is much appreciated.
The drills thing is a good idea, and a good note home as well. I think she would respond well to that as she sometimes says Mommy will be mad cos I've been bad today. We do reassure her she hasn't been bad and try to speak to Mom at the end of each day to say how she has been (including something positive for the little girl to hear).
She seems to be settling down a little more. It's very hard to get her to do things though. If she doesn't want to work we tend to just let her read a book or something at the moment while she's settling, but she obviously can't do this forever! Also, dinnertimes are hard. She doesn't eat and I spend about 35 minutes of my dinner hour trying to persuade her.. well - bribe her with stickers lol.
Thanks for the advice about giving instructions as well, I hadn't realised that. Although it does explain why I have had a lot of blank looks from her.
I think it is great that you are asking for advice. Unfortunately, where I live teachers here just want robots, if the child is any different it is not good.
My son in gifted with ADHD/ODD - 8th grade now. We started medicating in 6th grade. It has helped some, but not entirely.
One thing that helps my son - is adjustment period. I always new that within the first 5-6 weeks of school I would be having parent/teacher conferences - he needs longer periods to adjust, after that things are much smoother.
Whatever you do, be firm with this child. If you say no playtime, follow through. She will learn that you mean what you say. Just be firm, kind and good luck.
[QUOTE=annidagostini]I put a sticky note on their desk. I put five slashes on the note. Each time I catch them doing something good - being quiet, answering quesions with the class, being quiet, etc, I initial a slash. When they get 5 slashes initialed, I send a good note home. It is simple and you are looking for the positive. [/QUOTE]
Anni, I just love that idea! They see an immediate positive response, plus have a goal and know what they must do to achieve it. It's all in one little sticky note!
My son would have loved this. Unfortunately, he is switching rooms and teachers for all his classes now. It isn't feasible for him, but I am going to tell his old teachers about this. It may help with other kids.