What problems do children with ADHD have at school?
The symptoms of ADHD, along with its numerous deficits associated with poor self-regulation and executive functioning, virtually guarantee that a child or adolescent with ADHD will have problems in school. These problems seem so diverse that it is hard to imagine they could all result from your child or teenager having ADHD. But most of them are. Some school problems are also the result of a specific learning disability, but much of the time, the problems that your child’s teachers may be complaining about are the result of ADHD:
- Excessive daydreaming while working in the classroom and on homework
- Repeatedly being distracted by what classmates are doing
- Having trouble doing work at a desk
- Problems with group projects
- Behaviour problems during assemblies and field trips
- Forgetting school and classroom rules
- Interfering with classmates’ school performance
- Procrastinating on in-class projects and homework assignments
- Turning in assignments late
- Poor performance on tests
- Letting assignments go until the last minute, when they are done in a rush and so usually done poorly
- Losing homework or forgetting to take completed assignments back to school the next day
- Disrupting the class with overactivity and impulsiveness
- Excessive walking or running about the classroom
- Fidgeting and other restless movements while seated
- Inappropriate touching or interacting with classroom materials
- Excessive talking or interrupting others and speaking too loudly
- Teasing or even bullying classmates
- Being bullied (especially for children who are smaller than typical for their age or more anxious and withdrawn than most students)
- Impatience with waiting for scheduled events
- Problems with sharing toys and materials
- Low frustration tolerance Angry and possibly aggressive reactions to classmates’ provocation
- Poor handwriting and sloppy written work
- Lack of coordination can destroy property or cause accidental injuries, as well as difficulties in physical education.
- Highly disorganised desks, lockers, coatroom materials, backpacks
- Poor reading comprehension
- Poor recall of material from teacher lectures or videos
- Low self-awareness about academic problems, classroom behaviour, and relationships with other students.
ADHD is a neurochemical disorder and needs a holistic approach, including behavioural, educational and, most importantly, medical treatment.
Recognising these symptoms by both parents and teachers allows early intervention and treatment. The treatment for ADHD is among the most successful treatments available for conditions that affect the neurochemistry of the human brain.
If you want to learn more, visit the websites drjohnflett.com and drflett.com. Contact our friendly staff on 031 1000474.
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