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.
- 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.
Leah, I love that you provided resources that are free and accessible to all. I already use SpellingCity and CoolMath with all of my students. I never thought to use it as an award for my ADHD students. Thank you for providing great ideas. I can't wait to see more resourceful posts in the future.
ReplyDeleteLeah,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right when you stated that students will become dependent upon you to help them finish their assignments. I have used CoolMath to reward my students, but have not tried SpellingCity. I will have to try it with my Autism student. He loves math, so if I can get him to like spelling and reading that would be great.
You really had some great devices to help the students. I hope one day that every school will become equipped with all of these new devices to help students with special needs. I will have to try out ABCya.com to see if this will help my students. Great ideas!