Keeping hands busy in the classroom | ADHD Information

Teacher says TL is fidgeting with his pencil and eraser instead of paying
attention. I think he probably needs to keep his hands busy so he CAN pay
attention, but we're trying to think of something less distracting. A friend's
son uses a stress ball, but I think that would draw more attention to him.

He also puts the front neckline of his shirt in this mouth ... mostly in the
afternoon as meds are wearing off....

any suggestions on what to use to keep his hands and mouth busy and
keep him out of trouble with the teacher?My son has been where your's is. My son has sensory integration. Any thought of sensory integration? OT's through the school have helped my son tremendously. There are other fidget toys besides balls. I am suprised that the teacher will not assist you with suggestions. Can you call a meeting with him/her to discuss?my son also likes to fidget with his hands and put things like pens/pencils in his mouth....I would like to find a "cool boy " that could withstand his biting...he had a shark's tooth but bit the cord in half.Thanks for the suggestion of checking with the OT. I am not familiar with
sensory integration. What is that?

Today is the first day that the teacher and I talked about this, and I told her I
would send a stress ball. Then when I got home I wondered if there would
be something "less obvious" so as not to draw attention to HIM!!

Jeaniejo, google it. There is a board here for sensory but there aren't many posts.

my son was diagnosed when he was 2. He has adhhhhhhhhhd and the sensory plays into it. He has self regulation problems, can't bring himself down, easily overstimulated, didn't like his hair washed, used to push down too hard with too much pressure when writing. some have food texture issues or clothing texture issues, don't like certain feelings of things, mine loves bear hugs, deep pressure, loves to wear lots of clothes in the winter so he is weighted down. sleeps with a heavy blanket(i just happened to buy a ralph lauren comforter that is heavy!!)

Another "thing" that really bothered my son was loud noises. Certain restaurants or movie theaters, etc. The smell of certain things is another one. For example, my son does not like the smell of popcorn.

There is a book - the Out of Sync Child, symptoms can resemble adhd or go along with it, like for us. My son also has a speech delay and I believe it is due to his sensory issue - it is due to the feelings in his mouth between his tongue and teeth.

Any other signs in your son?

BETHANN39322.0487962963The school counselor gave my son a stress ball to fidget with last year but he didn't really use it.  It was shaped like an apple (about the same size too) and it was big enough to be in the way in his desk and if he set it on top of the desk it would roll off.  It turned out to be more of a pain than it was worth and he went back to fidgeting with his pencils, erasers and pencil grips.  The pencil grips are the best because they come in a variety of textures, from a hardish plastic to squishy foam, and he takes them on and off his pencils and sticks his fingers in them, and flips them inside out- basically destroying them in the process, but they're cheap and come in large packs.  He also didn't worry about the others kids wanting one too, because it was a legitimate "school supply," and not a toy.

I find it amusing when teachers complain about silly things like fidgeting. This is pretty regular behavior for children with ADHD, because basically it's torture to sit in a chair all day and listen to a teacher. If your child gets behind academically then he's not listening, but if he does okay in school he's listening to most of what's said. I also notice that alot of ADHD children have sensory difficulties, and I wonder if its a coping skill of some sort: the chewing on his shirt thing.

With my son I suggested the teacher use a 1-2-3 system, so I didn't get a rundown on all the negative things my child did throughout the day. A 3 day being really difficult day, 2 a fair day, and 1 a fantastic day. I would not give him trouble if he had a 3 day but would repeat the consequence that he knew existed: loss of computer/ or game system for the evening. It helped over the long term like everything else when trying to raise a busy child.  Good luck, at least he's not running around the room screaming.

last year my dd's guidance counselor recommended putting velcro underneath her desk (so th other kids wouldn't see it) - something to play with and still be discreet.  That worked for quite a while.  The stress ball didn't work for us - it kept falling off the desk, etc.  Her psych recommended a writstwatch that ticks to black out noises in the classroom and that seemed to help - she would hold it up to her ear during tests, etc. when she needed to concentrate and it was quiet enough that the other kids couldn't hear it.  Another thing we tried that worked for a while is a wrist pad on the desk that she would tap her pencil on (quietly) without disturbing the class.  We also are a fan of the pencil grips.  While doing homework she likes to play with Silly Putty or those silly plastic 'clackers' that clack together -  she says that they help her concentrate.  Hope some of these tips help!

I agree that the teachers should not worry about the fidgeting, unless it is distacting to others, then they should work something out.

 My daughters teacher complained last year because she was constantly crossing an uncrossing her legs her during class. They had to keep "reminding" her to stop..................well, no kidding! Really though, who cares if she's crossing and uncrossing her legs, she's not making any noise or getting up, leave her be.

those chair pads are GREAT!! Allows fidgeting without actually fidgeting.My son has ADHD in addition to sensory intergration issues.  The OT helped alot and the book the out of sync child.  My son has the need to touch EVERYTHING but wants no one to touch him.  One thing I did hear that our school has done is put sand paper on the underside of the desk.  This way the child can rub their hand over it getting the tactile input they are so craving without disturbing others. My fear with any type of fidget toy is that my son would get bored and throw it at the teacher or another student.  The OT also suggested a type of chair pad that is rubber and has bumps on it.  This way they can squirm in their seat and get the tactile sensation without leaving their seat or disturbing others.  Just a few suggestions that have worked for us.

jeanijeo, my daughter tends to need "busy hands", the psych says "busy hands cures a LOT" .  My daughters school was hesitant to let her use anything as they were worried what the other kids would think too. My daughter loves to tie and untie to keep her hands busy. I sent her in with a piece of string, thick, like silky so it was easily tied and untied. She loves gimp, but we were worried the other kids would really notice that as they'd want to use it during class too. The stress ball is really a GOOD option. As far as the chewing that's harder. He needs to chew, but obviously they wont let him have gum. My suggestion would be for him to have something chewy before the class this becomes a problem with. Does he have an IEP? Can you get it put in there for him to have a 5 minute break around this time of day and go to the nurse or wherever and be able to have something like a granola bar or something either chewy or very crunchy. Chewing is a big sensory thing.

I also really found The Out of Sync Child very, very informative and highly recommend reading it. Whether your child is diagnosed with SID or just has some snesory concerns it gives some good tips. My 5 year old (no ADHD) has a lot of sensory issues and we've used a lot of those techniques, she is thankfully outgrowing some of it and it is not gettig in her way as much now, but at 2 and 3 she was brutal.

Diane V39322.0962731481hi my 9 yr old son does the shirt in mouth thing as well his teacher this year dosnt say much bout it but i have a lot of communication with her so she understands but in grade 2 his teacher just couldnt understand it at all she would go on and on about it he  is very fidgity in the afternoon he does take alow dose med in morning but it wears off soon enough and he can b very disruptive but his teacher has come up with a few ways 2 deal he sits near her because he puts his hands on the other kids fidgeting. Cant seem 2 help it.he has been diagonised with add we dont pay a lot of attention 2 those behaviours at home but of course they will stand out in class helps 2 keep communicating with the teachers keep them up 2 date with whats happening obviously they will b aware of stuff as well good luck. ok you said that he really starts to fidget twards the end of the day when his meds are wearing off. as a teen with adhd and add if he's still in class where they are always in one room(if he's already not in the front of the class) askthe teacher to put him in the front. that helped me alot already right there. to keep his brain and hands and what not buisy i used mints, and would rub the part of the pen that can clip onto your shirt. or you can always ask the doctor for a light pill that he can take at lunch to get him through the day and finish homework.
just a few ideas
THANK YOU everyone for all your ideas. I just feel so overwhelmed by all of
YOU helping ME with this issue.

Keep the ideas coming!!

I did buy pencil grips and my son looked on the back and saw they were
from China and is worried they may contain lead.

Who says he has an attention deficit!!!???