COUNSELOR IN TRAINING

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ADD and ADHD:

Attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

 What is it? Attention deficit disorder / attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) is a combination of symptoms that include, inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness, and other difficulties that are associated with attention.  ADD is different from ADHD.  The primary difference is that children with ADD are not hyperactive.

 Symptoms of ADHD:

n      anxious and fidgety

n      has difficulty waiting his/her turn in games and group activities

n      difficulty in sustaining attention in tasks or in playing

n      difficulty in playing quietly

n      shifts from one uncompleted activity to another

n      talks excessively

n      interrupts and intrudes on others – butts into other children’s games

n      does not seem to listen to what is being said to him/her

n      engages in dangerous activities  without considering possible consequences (running in the street without looking)

n      bossy with other children or adults

n      reacts poorly with change

n      needs help with organization and keeping track of belongings

n      feels the need to be right and gets into arguments and struggles around being right

n      low self esteem

ADD is the same as above except for the hyperactivity components.  Children with ADD/ADHD can be characterized as being daydreamers, shy and forgetful.

Give children with ADD/ADHD:

-         more frequent, immediate feedback

-         incentives

-         eye contact

-         directions presented one at a time and be concise and simple as possible (they will usually catch the first and last things that were said) post directions if possible

-         positive commands (what you want from them instead of what you don’t want)

-         tasks that are broken down into smaller parts

-         repeated directions

-         close supervision

-         consistent routines

-         make sure they have “down time”

-         have them repeat directions back to you ( do this in a way that does not humiliate them)

Discover what times in the day the child finds most stressful and anticipate these times.

Send e mail to ymca_cit@yahoo.com with questions or comments.                                                Last modified: January 21, 2007