Be That Teacher Who Breaks Through

Students with ADHD learn differently, this is also true for students who have intense emotions due to trauma, loss and grief, often these challenges present as ADHD/ ODD, when in fact it is just a very triggered nervous system holding a child in "Survival Mode~ Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fib Mode" (Fibbing is common in people with ADHD)

This presents a challenge and an opportunity — for more visual, collaborative, interactive, positive lesson plans. Not to mention a life-changing relationship with the students who struggle at school.

The best teacher listens, adapts, and forgives students who flounder. Helping these students takes extra time, energy and a ton of patience. To help these students we can:

•  Modify the environments/classroom in which they learn, such as lower the lights and use lamps, play quiet classical music during work time, allow students to move about the class room if appropriate.

• Modify the presentation of information we want kids to learn, such as using a variety of mediums to present information, provide students copies of the notes prior to class, tap into all of their learning styles, give choice whenever possible to accommodate their interest based brains. 

• Modify the methods of assessment for these students such as, reducing the amount of homework, providing extended time on tests, questioning what we are actually assessing and making sure a child's Executive Function skills are not getting in the way of demonstrating their mastery of the skills and material you wish to test. 

The ONLY way to help a struggling student with ADHD is to change how we parent them at home, and how we teach them at school...Period. 

 A child with ADHD is like a child in a wheelchair sitting at the bottom of the steps. If you acknowledge the wheelchair without building a ramp, an elevator or have a team of people prepared to carry the child up the stairs, that child can not access their education therefor can not succeed. Students with ADHD are no different, you just can't see their struggles. 

If you are an Educator or an Administrator and wish to connect to discuss ways to become a more ADHD Friendly Educator, please feel free to email me for a complimentary consultation:) I am willing to help and eager to learn with you! There is no "one size fits all" every student is different and every teacher brings to the table their own gifts, strengths, beliefs and experiences. Looking forward to collaborate:)