ADHD and Assistive Technology

In my previous BLOG I discussed what ADHD looks like and what it is not.  This week I am focusing on ADHD and assistive technology devices.  ADHD seems to affect a child’s performance in school whether they want it to or not.  Many students struggle with completing assignments, attending to tasks, waiting their turn, talking out, staying seated and many other disruptive behaviors.  With my students, I often find myself giving them breaks during or in between assignments. I use timers to help them complete assignments or sometimes allow extra time to get things done.  Assistive technology devices can capitalize on the student’s strengths while working around their challenges. 

Parents and teachers often spend hours trying to get a child with ADHD to complete assignments.  As a result these children can become dependent on parents, teachers and peers to get things done.  There are so many products available that can be implemented into the general education classroom.  Below are a few examples of the gadgets and software that can help improve the academic lives of ADHD students.

Reading

• Audio Books and Software-allows for students to listen to text.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR)- allows for students to scan printed material into a handheld unit.

Math

• Talking Calculators
• Electronic Math Worksheets-work is organized through the computer.

Writing

• Portable Word Processor (Alpha Smart Learning Neo)-Battery powered machines used for note taking and can be transferred to a PC.

There are also many websites that can help a child with ADHD.  I often use www.coolmath.com as a teaching website for Math.  It can serve as a reward choice website during break time also.  Another website I often use is www.spellingcity.com, this is great spelling and vocabulary website.  These two sites are good for keeping students engaged.   My kids also enjoy www.ABCya.com.  This site is full of elementary educational game.  Boardmaker is an awesome program that I use to create picture schedules and First/Then Charts.  These allow the student to visually see and know what and when we will work on things.  Since I have implemented these charts, I have decreased then number of call outs and off task behaviors in the classroom.

ADHD can be a frustrating topic for teachers.  They can feel out of control and unprepared in the classroom.  With the right resources they don’t have to feel this way.  Assistive technology not only helps the student to stay on task and learn, it also helps the teacher feel a sense of control in the classroom.  In the end, it can be beneficial for everyone involved in the learning process.  I hope this gave you some ideas on how to effectively start implementing technology with your ADHD students. 

ADHD……………..What is it?

           It is amazing to me how many kids in schools have been given the label, ADHD.  Many times if a child is active, inattentive, or impulsive, they are labeled as having ADHD. You here teachers say “Oh, you know, he has ADHD,” or “He didn’t take his ADHD meds today.”  I too have been guilty of  “labeling” a child who is overtly active as ADHD.  I fell it was important in my early Blogs to address what ADHD is.  ADHD stands for Attention deficit hyper activity disorder.  According to research it is found in About 3 million children and about 5 million school age children. The numbers are steadily increasing……SCARY! There are 3 types-ADHD, predominantly inattentive type, ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type and ADHD, combined type. ADHD is a genetic neurological disorder . After meeting the parents it often times has you thinking  “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree”. There are so many characteristics of what “we” think ADHD is.  Below is a list of category. Because there's no test that can determine the presence of ADHD, a diagnosis depends on a complete evaluation. Many children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD are evaluated and treated by primary care doctors including pediatricians and family practitioners, but your child may also be referred to one of several different specialists (psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists) especially when the diagnosis is in doubt, or if there are other concerns, such as Tourette syndrome, a learning disability, anxiety, or depression.

         ADHD has biological origins that aren't yet clearly understood. No single cause has been identified. One of the difficulties in diagnosing ADHD is that it's often found in conjunction with other problems. These are called coexisting conditions, and about two thirds of kids with ADHD have one. The most coexisting ones are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD), Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders,  and Learning Disabilities. If your child has ADHD and a coexisting condition, the doctor will carefully consider that when developing a treatment plan. Some treatments are better than others at addressing specific combinations of symptoms.

            So to sum it up ADHD is not caused by poor parenting, too much sugar, or vaccines.  It is a genetic diagnosis that alters a child’s life.  So before you go “labeling” kids, we need to be sensitive to their needs.  In my upcoming Blogs, I will discuss strategies that can be implemented into the classroom to alleviate distraction.  Please share your thoughts on this topic. 

I am providing a link to a cool slide show that explains what ADHD really is. ENJOY!

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-in-children

 

Blog Post 1-Twitter List: Resources for Those Struggling With ADHD

I was encouraged to create a Twitter List which is a folder composed of “like” Twitter accounts.  At first I had no idea what I was really going to do. I figured I would log on and start FOLLOWING accounts related to my topic.  Well, I was partially right!  Since I was new to Twitter, I needed to search the site and find accounts that seemed interesting and creditable. The list I created is directly related to this Blog.  All links on the list deal with the combination of education and ADHD in some way.  While researching different Twitter accounts, I looked for common criteria to link them all together.  Every account needed to be educational, ADHD/ADD based, referenced technology and relevant to school age children.  It was also important that additional resources and links were accessible.  I wanted accounts that had a plethora of things to think about and view. 

While on my search I came across a lot of ADHD topics relating to adults.  While these were interesting reads they did not focus on all my criteria requirements.  I did locate many organizations that would be wonderful resources for educators and parents to follow.  There were even some accounts that had links to webinars. One account was created by the host of an ADHD Support Group Radio Show. I am so excited about the wealth of resources I found.  I encourage you to create a list on your Twitter account.  Start by searching a topic that interests you.  Do a search on the topic, find an account, review it and see who that person is following and who is following them.  You’ll be amazed as your screen fills with resourceful links. It’s like opening one door to find another and another and another and so on and so on.  This list has given me the opportunity to view the thoughts of parents with kids who have ADHD, educators teaching these kids and educational websites that provide support.  One interesting account I found that led me to others was @CHADD-ADD.  This is a non-profit organization that focuses on collaboration and communication among those interested in the area. 

As I filter through, I am anxious to read lesson plans and other “hot topics” related to this Blog.  I learned while creating this list that even though I may search one word, it could actually lead me to a link of another that is just as important.  If ADHD is a topic of interest to you, please view this link and check out my Twitter List:  https://twitter.com/#!/ZLWilson4/ed-529.  I hope you consider getting started on THE LIST.