Suggestions for classroom accommodations? | ADHD Information
My daugher had success with many of these ideas. The most important is NOT sitting in a cluster as someone pointed out. The cardboard divider thing that goes around the desk did wonders for her. Also we found that a chart of some kind that shows how her behavior is doing. They do it in preschools and kindergarten usually. A chart with your name and either green yellow and red areas or smiley faces and sad faces. If she is having a good day her name stays on green. If she has had warnings it goes to yellow and if she has used up her chances then red. If she stayed on green she got to pick something from the treasure box. I find that if they have a visual que of how they are behaving they have a better chance of keeping themselves in check. The schedule thing is a good idea too, so they can keep track of what comes next or where they should be. However, be sure that you tell the teacher that it's also his/her responsibility to make sure that he is using the schedule. We tried this and the teach left it up to my daughter (then second grade) to stay on task and know what was coming up and where she should be. And would send notes home or discipline her because she was not using the schedule effectively. Good luck and remember to stick to your guns.
Keep us posted about what happens! Good luck- Happy Holidays!These are some great suggestions. Thanks so much. The meeting is scheduled for right after the holiday break. I'm going to type up a list of classroom accommodation ideas, and these will definately be on the list. I really want him to succeed with the classroom accommodations, perhaps combined with an alternative, rather than meds because of other health concerns.
I have a meeting scheduled in January that will include a discussion about classroom accommodations. My son is in 1st grade and his main problem is off task behavior/distractibility/not focusing. Here's what I've come up with so far. Do you have any other ideas that have worked for the problems that my son has? Have any of the ideas I've listed worked for anyone?
* Alternative seating equipment: a bean bag to kneel on or a Disc'O'Sit air cushion.
* Limit the information on handouts. Make a cardboard "window" that exposes only two lines of print or one math problem at a time. Cover other areas of the page not currently working on to keep him focused.
* Seat him in a study carrel. Use a cardboard divider or partition to decrease distractions while he is working independently. Make the idea inviting by telling him that this is his "office." Only place him there for short periods.
NoTellin,
Your ideas look pretty good. I also have a first grade boy and although he is not having trouble academically, he is having trouble with "work habits",organizational skills and writing ...the teacher said she was going to try a timer with him so he can see the passage of time..hopefully this will help
Have him sit as close as possible to the teacher so he has fewer distractions.
Also, ask her if she can use a signal to your son to remind him to get on task without it being obvious.
She should make frequent eye contact with him and
praise him for paying attention for longer than usual or if something is difficult for him.
My son always sat close to the teacher. Last year he asked to have his seat changed, to not be sitting at a cluster of desks. So she moved his desk closer to her, standing alone. It worked wonders for him- no distractions from other kids and he was able to complete his work. This year-4th grade- he's more comfotable sitting with other kids because he says "I learned how to get my stuff done". I'm proud of him! Wow, that's great that your son is able to identify himself what is distracting to him. Do you remember at what age he was able to do this?Well, he's 9 1/2 now, 4th grade. Most of his 3rd grade he was 8. I also can tell when his seat has been changed in the classroom. (the teacher does this on a wierd cycle- every 3 weeks or so!) He has about 3-4 days of readjusting then he's ok. But if there is a quiz or something, sometimes the outcome isn't so great. But I can't really complain when his marking period grades are A's & B's when all is said and done.Another thing he realized on his own, was that are some kids in his class that he knows are not good for him. They very well may be friends of his, but he knows if they are around him he may not get things done.
We talk about how right now school is his "job" and in order to earn things, he has to perform well at his "job". So far its worked pretty well too. We make deals like - you need 5 A's in a row, in any given class and then you will earn yourself the football jersey you want. He does get upset when it doesn't go his way, but he in turn works harder for it. We have come a real long way. He's a much happier kid these days.
Here are some other suggestions: use a visual schedule. This will break down the time for him and help him stay in focus. Break down each task. You may even wish to incorporate tiny breaks in between - add these breaks in the schedule. They should be less than 5 minutes long each. You may also wish to add a reward picture at the end of this schedule. When task is completed he's to get the desired award/activity.
Buy some earplugs. You can buy them at a home hardware store in a variety of styles. The one I bought my son is discrete looking. The band wraps around the back of his head and is thin. He likes them and it's his favourite colour too. Have you ever heard about white noise? For some children, this works quite well. It's basically static background noise. It keeps them from getting distracted.
If the beanbags don't work try using a large bouncing ball to sit on. You can buy these at any fitness place. You can also buy them with rubber feet so the ball doesn't roll away everytime you get up to do something.
I'm not sure if this will help but what we use in our class for children who are hyperactive, is by putting rubber bands on the front legs of their chairs. (I can't remember what they're called). This will give them the resistance they need by tucking there feet behind it. Usually they kick against it as often as they need to and it helps keep them grounded. You can buy these bands at fitness shops in different strengths. Depending on the child will determine how strong the band should be.
Here's a book I recommend: A Mind at a Time, Mel Levine. It's great and it talks about how to deal with ADD/ADHD and what other areas of development needs to be taken into consideration before medicating the child. I attended his seminar and think he's great. He's funny too so it's not a dry read - at least I don't think.
How did your meeting go?
bump
I wish all kids worked in a study carrel. Lessons classroom troubles. See the iep is followed. If not working get one you are happy with. Kids should all get what they need to have a sucessful education.
No Tellin, how old is your child, in what grade?
Some things I would like to ask for, for next year or at least starting in high school, would be to be able to wear an ipod thingy during tests. It is what he does at home to help him do his work. Works like a CHARM. Also, a recorder of some sort to help him take notes after class. He will be acquiring a study buddy in each class to help each other keep track on assignments, etc. Because of the lack of actual help from the school (crappy compliance with 504), we have to come up with ideas that are initiated and followed through on his end. Having ADHD kids NOT on meds, makes their teachers' day oh so much harder.
A couple modifications Anna's teacher made last year (Grade 1) were to sit her up front close to where she stands when she teaches. That helped some, not to mention the fact that the classroom didn't have an outside window. Another was the teacher would constantly direct her voice in Anna's direction which seemed to help too. One thing my husband and I do is use sign language, even though she isn't hearing impaired. It's the visual that helps her, to "see" what we're saying seems to help her hear what we say. Maybe that sounds weird, but hey...it works. :) At this point we'll use whatever works. She also has a language disorder and is served in Speech for receptive and expressive language difficulties. I've learned that just because a modification is placed in an IEP doesn't mean that it's always followed exactly. I've also learned that some SPED teachers don't like it when parents have ideas of their own. Personally, I appreciate when a parent tells me what s/he feels works or doesn't work with their child. After all, we're supposed to be a TEAM making sure our children get the best possible education...or so I thought....We had issues with the timed math tests even though my daughter is really strong in math. What ended up working was to cut up the test into strips (she could not move the window around without playing with it). We included more rows each time until she could finish the problems. She consistantly got the problems correct but not in the time allotted. She was allowed to use a pencil for the timed part and switch to a different color at the end of the timed period so we could see her progress. The IEP included allowing extra time for the timed tests. The staff was really supportive and urged the teacher to try these things.
calicorose,
I had to laugh at the use of an Ipod for your son. I use an Ipod when imputing lots of data into tables and writing the more routine reports in my job (translate as boring), otherwise I procrastinate and do anything else. My boss and coworkers always laugh at me rocking-out while doing data.
My suggestions were well received as a facade. Several people were basically non-responsive and probably did not understand the basis of the suggestions (teacher included in this group). The SE people were the most responsive. The principal wanted to test before taking any action. Her agenda was likely just to get me to sign off on the school evaluation. The teacher said she would use 90% of my suggestions during the meeting, used 50% in reality, and only for two weeks. She was accountable to no one.
My son responds to reward systems. I discovered that this teacher was fundamentally opposed to rewards and would not implement them, much less anything else. In my opinion, parental suggestions for classroom modifications either work at the teacher-parent conference level, or they will not work period. If you go beyond that they must be mandated at the IEP level, and enforced by someone other than the parent.
In general a proactive stance seemed non-productive. They were stuck on their process and could not see beyond it or circumvent it in any way. They needed to go from A to B, and could not jump straight to D. I had to pay a neuro-psyche k who then reiterated at least 70% of my suggestions. I guess now my suggestions will be legit because they are coming from a neuro-psyche.
NoTellin38927.8499074074Would these suggestions work in a Learning and Likf Skills class with 8 kids? Brandon's teacher is looking for suggestions to help him when he is ahving an off day. These suggestions sound great and I think they may help BRAndon have a better day.
Brandon likes to have the Tv on while he is listening to the computer speakers and playing a game on the computer. I still can't figure out how he can listen to both.
However I do have a friend who can watch tv while chatting on the phone. She even knows what is ahppening on the program.
Unfortunately, the Ipod thingy was nixed for our 504. We will try again, he was begging for one during those days-on-end year-end tests. He was miserable! They said no....If you son gets one, he'll have to keep a good eye on it, or have the teacher be in charge of it, so it won't "dissapear."
My work at my job gets very repetitive, and I listen to streaming music on my earbuds during work, Like Vickie, to help me to filter out stuff going on around me. It really helps! I also have an ADHD co-worker who uses one too. I have to be careful to not sing out loud, which I have been known to do. 
Here's a link to a whole list of suggested accomodations under 504. The list includes conditions other than ADHD but the parts about ADHD sound good to me. Look not only at the list under the ADHD heading, but also at the end of the document at the table.
www.psesd.org-specialservices/504manual.doc
My daughter just started 2nd grade, not going well, this is the first year she starts after being diagnosed. My appt with her teacher to discuss 504 is Tuesday & I am petrified. Her first grade teacher was great. Wish me luck.