ADD A to Z: Your Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Download Your Copy Today

Considering studies show that one out of every 25, classroom age students suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you can see how important it is to pay attention to signs seen in our children. The behaviors that go along with ADHD include having trouble following directions, being easily distracted, not being able to sit still or play quietly, blurting out answers and interrupting conversations, talking excessively, waiting turns, or having the need to climb on things or run around inappropriately. This means ADHD and the school environment do not go hand-in-hand, often making it hard for the teacher to do his or her job while the parent is called in often due to ongoing problems.

Now, because ADHD and the school environment are so common today, we have seen many improvements in the system. For instance, many schools are working with teachers, helping them to recognize a child with ADHD. Therefore, rather than the child continue through the school year struggling in every possible aspect, the teacher can intervene, getting the school counselors and parents involved. Once that identification of a potential problem has been made, often the child is provided with the appropriate medical support.

Remember that often, a parent will think they just have an active child. For this reason, it is very important that teachers understand ADHD. This means that ADHD and the school environment can help identify the problem that might have otherwise been overlooked. The problem with ADHD is that the brain does not produce chemicals in key areas responsible for thought. With an inadequate supply of these chemicals, the part of the brain that helps organize does not work well. The result is the symptoms seen manifested as ADHD. Many times, parents are simply too close to the situation to notice what is happening.

Again, parents will often have other children, be working a full-time job outside the home, and have so many things going on that they simply do not see what the teacher sees. If you are the parent of a child with ADHD, you have to understand overlooking the symptoms, as well as the disorder itself, does not make you a bad parent whatsoever. Instead, this is the time to be grateful that ADHD and the school environment is a support system. The most beneficial thing for the child is developing a system, a team of people who will all work toward the common goal of getting the child help and then working with him or her to become a viable, successful adult. In addition to providing an environment within the home that is safe and constructive, it is imperative that ADHD and the school environment be just as supportive.

The classroom should be adjusted for the child, which might consist of the child being moved closer to the front of the classroom where the teacher can offer better guidance, providing a little more one-on-one time with that particular child, or setting up a special homework program. This type of team environment along with proper medication and sometimes, behavioral counseling is what most children with ADHD needs. Remind yourself that while frustrating for you, life is ten times as frustrating for the child. On the other hand, if your child has already been diagnosed, then you need to help the school understand the value of ADHD and the school environment being a positive one for the child.
 

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