Copyright 1998 F. Russell Crites, Jr. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder & Study Skills Tools for Parents of ADHD Children F. Russell Crites, L.P.C.,

Copyright 1998 F. Russell Crites, Jr.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder & Study SkillsDisorder & Study Skills

Tools for Parents of ADHD Children

F. Russell Crites, L.P.C., L.M.F.T., L.S.S.P.Crites Counseling & Consultation

972-506-7111


ADHD DefinedADHD Defined

Inattention:

The inability of an individual to focus on a given task for an extended period of time.

Hyperactivity:

The inability of an individual to sit or stay still for an extended period of time.


Causes of ADHDCauses of ADHD

Only students who become ADHD as a result of some Biological issue are ‘truly’ ADHD. This can occur as a result of:

• Brain Irregularities (Neuroanatomic abnormalities)

• Environmental factors, i.e., birth trauma• Neurobiologic dysregulation• CNS Damage• Genetics


Symptoms of ADHDSymptoms of ADHDInattentionInattention

• Short attention span• Difficulty completing tasks• Daydreaming• Easily distracted• Lethargy• Inattention• Failure to complete tasks• Forgets to write down assignments• Trouble following directions• Difficulty concentrating


Symptoms of ADHDSymptoms of ADHDHyperactivityHyperactivity

• Excessive talking• Motor restlessness during sleep• Constant movement during day• Less need for sleep• Often needs to be center of attention• Irritates and annoys others• Argumentative• Easily forgets• Has trouble waiting turn


Symptoms of ADHDSymptoms of ADHDImpulsivityImpulsivity

• Poor planning ability• Acting before thinking• Excessive shifting from one activity

to another• Disorganized


Social Characteristics of Social Characteristics of ADHD StudentsADHD Students• Often immature when compared to

peers• Has difficulty developing and

maintaining relationships


Behavioral Characteristics Behavioral Characteristics of ADHD Studentsof ADHD Students• Seems to ‘find’ trouble• More active (hyperactivity) than

peers• More under-active (Inattention) than

peers• More vocal (hyperactivity) than peers• More quiet (inattentive) than peers• Very distractible


Emotional Characteristics of Emotional Characteristics of ADHD StudentsADHD Students• Often in a state of frustration• Has trouble living up to expectations

—anxious, angry, etc.• Low self-esteem• Often negative or emotionally

inappropriate in social interactions


Differential DiagnosesDifferential Diagnoses

DSM-IV-TR Four Types of ADHD

• ADHD Predominantly Inattentive• ADHD Predominantly

Hyperactive/Impulsive• ADHD Combined Type• ADHD NOS


Possible Triggers for ADHD

• Biology• Nutrition• Ecology• Learning Disorder• Emotional Dysfunction


Biological Look AlikesBiological Look Alikes

• Prenatal Alcohol/drug exposure• Lead or Mercury poisoning• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome• Epilepsy• Auditory losses• Emotional Disorder, i.e., Depression, Mania


ADHD StudiesADHD Studies• 80% of students who go on meds show

improvement.

• ADHD kids on medication have a 50% less chance of having a car accident.

• 35% of childhood ADHD kids have ADHD as adults.


Executive FunctionsExecutive Functions and ADHD and ADHD

• Organizing Prioritizing and Activating to Work

• Focusing, Sustaining, & Shifting Attention to Tasks

• Regulating Alertness, Sustaining Effort and Processing Speed

• Managing Frustration & Modulating Emotions• Utilizing Working Memory & Accessing Recall• Monitoring & Self-Regulating Action

See Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales, Thomas E. Brown for more information on Executive Functions and how to assess them.

Strategies


Timing and ADHDTiming and ADHD

Sit down with your child and determine a time that he will focus on homework every day after school. Homework should hot be the last thing done before going to bed! Nothing short of an emergency should change the time. If it is to

be changed it is to be done by you not the child.

1. Initially you should develop a homework schedule. If your child is having difficulties with academics it is imperative that homework come before piano, athletics, dance or anything else that that matter. Homework time should be seen as sacred. Due to commitments made actual games should be attended.


Timing and ADHDTiming and ADHDContinuedContinued

2. It is best if the child has a specific time of the day that he does his homework. Late at night should not be allowed as a choice.

3. If your child does not have homework have him spend at lest a short amount of time doing something academically related during the scheduled homework time. He could work on a project, study material for a class he is struggling in, etc.

4. Remember, if you develop your child’s study schedule with your child’s help he is more apt to cooperate.


Study Area and ADHDStudy Area and ADHD

You must decide on an area that can be used for study at home. This should be the area that is used for

all homework unless the type of homework requires more space.

1. Initially you should develop a homework schedule. If your child is having difficulties with academics it is imperative that homework come before piano, athletics, dance or anything else that that matter. Homework time should be seen as sacred. Due to commitments made actual games should be attended.


Study Area and ADHDStudy Area and ADHD

2. It is best if the child has a desk that is dedicated to study time.

3. Have you child do homework in the same spot each day.

4. Reduce the clutter around his study area.

5. The desk should not be next to a window, door, etc. due to the probable distractions they might cause.


Organization and ADHDOrganization and ADHD

ADHD children need to be over-organized. Organization helps them keep track of everything that is important to maintain acceptable academic

success. Without it they are doomed to failure.General1. Every class should have a binder with a place for

homework, pens, pencils, note paper, etc.2. The study are should be organized and everything

have a place and should be kept there.3. Color code binders so that it is easy to find the one

needed for each class.4. Develop daily checklists for homework, projects,

chores, etc.5. Use desk/drawer/closet organizers. Everything

should have a special place.



Forgetting assignments or Homework

1. Use a home/school assignment sheet (binder reminder) that has all of the assignments listed on it.

2. Have a special place in his binder specifically for homework assignments.



Forgetting to Bring Materials Home

1. If your child is behind in school it is important that he understand that all privileges area suspended until he catches up.

2. If he fails to brings materials home (this includes homework) he must be disciplined. You might want to send him to his room, sit at the kitchen table, etc. for the evening. No privileges! He must understand that there are significant consequences when he does not bring his materials home.


Planning and ADHDPlanning and ADHD

If your child has projects or assignments that are large, you must break the assignments into smaller units. Put this on a calendar or dry

erase assignment board and have a due date for each unit.

1. Get a dry erase board and write down assignments for a week. You can get boards that are a monthly calendar.

2. Add long term assignments on the side of the board. Break down long term assignments into smaller segments and set dates for each segment to be accomplished.

3. Encourage your child’s teacher to break large assignments into smaller units and grade each unit in addition to the end result.


Homework and ADHDHomework and ADHD

Never assume that your child has written down all of his assignments. Get a list of homework assignments form his teachers or another trustworthy student. Try to get homework assignments for one full week at a time if

possible. General

1. Review assignment board each day. Make any changes necessary. Begin work for the day.

2. As assignments are completed erase them from the board. This reduces visual clutter and shows progress of the child.

3. Allow a break between assignments or segments. Discuss with your child what kind of ‘break’ he would like that would be motivating.


Homework and ADHDHomework and ADHD

Lying about Homework

• If he is caught lying and you know (have proof) he is lying, give him a strong consequence, e.g., loss of all privileges for that night or the next day.

• If you have a home school form that he has been told must come home and he doesn’t have it, you should take all privileges away for the evening.

• If you press your child and he admits to lying, minimize the consequences. Tell him that he would have lost all privileges for the evening if he had been dishonest. However, since he was honest you will only take, TVB, Nintendo, etc. away for the evening instead of all privileges.


Homework Segments and Homework Segments and ADHDADHD

Take homework and break it into smaller units so that it doesn’t seem to be so

overwhelming to your child. Do this for each subject area.

General

1. Each night review your child’s homework.2. Take each subject area and break the

homework into smaller segments.3. Only the materials needed for that segment

of that assignment should be out in the study area. Anything else just causes distraction and can cause your child to be overwhelmed.


Homework Segments and Homework Segments and ADHDADHD

Taking Hours to Complete Homework

1. Make sure that all needed supplies are available in his study area. If he has to go look for it little homework will get done.

2. Use a timer coupled with rewards or just see if he can beat the timer to complete a segment.

3. Non-scheduled breaks must be approved by the parent. It’s amazing how many breaks an ADHD child can take.


Helping With HomeworkHelping With Homework

You are not to do your child’s homework. You should make sure that your child understands how to do the

assignment, help him get started and then back off and let him do the work. You can periodically check to see

how he is doing.

General

1. Provide the necessary support to get your child going with homework and then let your child work independently. He must learn to work on his own.

2. Periodically check over the work to make sure that it is being done correctly. If he was doing it right, praise him and give him another segment to do. If he was doing it wrong explain what he was doing wrong, start it over with him and then back off so he can work on it alone again.


Helping With HomeworkHelping With Homework

Needing Constant Help

1. You should only act as a consultant, do not do the work for your child. If you do his work you will make him dependent on you. Your child’s self-esteem and self-reliance is damaged.

2. Help the child answer his own question.3. Make sure that the child can perform the

work that is assigned by himself. If he cannot, then you need to get the school to adapt or modify the material.


Motivation and ADHDMotivation and ADHD

There are two easy things to do to help with motivation. First, let your child have a

predetermined reward, e.g., 5-10 minutes free time when a homework segment is completed. Second, set a timer to go off about every 3-5

minutes. If your child is on task when the bell goes off give him a predetermined reward.

General

1. Review each segment and then let your child have a break if he has completed his work in an acceptable way.

2. Rewards must be changed frequently to maintain a high interest level.

3. Focus on positive more than you do negative reinforcement.


Motivation and ADHDMotivation and ADHD

The Timer

1. For each segment of homework your child does have him race the timer. If he gets done before the bell goes off give him a predetermined reward. NOTE: Make sure that he has sufficient time considering his ability to get the work done, but don’t make it too easy.

2. Set a timer to go off intermittently when your child is doing homework. If he is on task and actually accomplishing something when the bell goes off reward him. Use pre-determined rewards for this also.


Giving Instructions and ADHDGiving Instructions and ADHD

Before you start you must be sure that you have your child’s attention. Be

calm, specific or to the point and do not give more than one set of directions at a

time.

There are a few very important keys to giving instructions. They are as follows:

1. Make sure that all distractions are removed before you start. TV, computer games, music should be turned off before you begin.

2. If necessary walk over to your child, touch him and tell him to look you in the eyes.

3. Tell your child exactly what you want and when you want it finished. Have your child repeat it back to you until he can get it correct.


Giving Instructions and ADHDGiving Instructions and ADHD

4. Keep your instructions brief and to the point, repeat as necessary.

5. It is usually wise to write down what you want on a dry erase board that you keep in the kitchen, laundry room, etc. If your child forgets he will always knows where to go to get a reminder.

6. Follow-up to see if your child is completing the assigned task. Praise a job that is well done. Make sure that you are encouraging also or praise can produce dependency.

7. If the instructions are concerning homework the child’s study area should be cleared off except for the materials that are needed for that specific subject.

8. Avoid multiple instructions. Simplify directions.


Study Skills that Improve Study Skills that Improve Reading and RetentionReading and Retention

1. Number paragraphs and pull out key words.2. Write a short paragraph using key words

from story.3. Have student recite important facts about

what he has read into a tape recorder and then listen to what was read over and over.

4. Turn headings & subheadings into questions and than find the answers.5. While reading identify key facts and then write them on a 3x5 card with needed

information on opposite side.


6. Use colored overlays to reduce reading difficulty. It has been found that many ADD/ADHD students have perceptual distortions that make reading difficult.7. Have the students draw and/or visualize what they have read. Let them take turns telling a story about what they read (develops summarization skills).


Strategies to ImproveStrategies to ImproveMath SkillsMath Skills

There are some basic techniques that can help your child improve his math skills. Graph paper will help

most students proper line up numbers.1. Have your child use graph paper instead of regular

lined paper. It helps them life up their numbers properly. Try different sizes of graph paper to see what works best.

2. If graph paper is not available let your child turn lined paper sideways. This aids children line up the numbers properly.

3. Teach Touch Math (Innovative Learning concepts).4. Color or highlight processing signs for student who are

having difficulty identifying the proper operation signs on a page. For example, you may wan to color addition signs green, minus signs yellow, division signs red, etc.

5. Use manipulatives and/or use visualization to enhance learning.


Strategies to ImproveStrategies to ImproveMath SkillsMath Skills

6. Encourage your child to use a calculator to check their work.7. Make sure that he works every step of each problem. This

teaches the process. Don’t let him just put the answer on the paper.

8. Get a card file and have your child keep information of specific math skills such as, rules, key words, concepts and give specific examples on each card that shows how a rule, skill, etc. works.

9. Make sure that your child has a multiplication chart and/or other tables that would be helpful.

10. Make math practical at home. Have your child help with cooking (measuring), home improvement, or anything else that might have measurements involved. Make the need for understanding math real.

11. Purchase computer games that can be used for drill and practice.

12. Work on times tables at home. Key publishers has a mnemonics program called Time table the Fun Way.

Tips for Test PreparationTips for Test Preparation• Get a good nights sleep. Don't try to pull an all nighter…

study in advance ….always!!!• Eat before a test. Having food in your stomach will give you

energy and help you focus but avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy.

• Go over any material from practice tests, HW's, sample problems, review material, the textbook, class notes...

• CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!• Put the main ideas/information/formulas onto a sheet that

can be quickly reviewed many times, this makes it easier to retain the key concepts that will be on the test.

• When possible, try to show up at least 5 minutes before the test will start so you can relax and review.


Multiple Choice QuestionsMultiple Choice Questions• Read the question and try to come with the answer before you look at

your options. • Eliminate answers you know aren't right. • Read all the choices before choosing your answer. • If there is no guessing penalty, always take an educated guess and

select an answer. • Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is the

right one, unless you misread the question. • In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are

certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the above".

• In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer.

• A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one.


True-False Test TipsTrue-False Test Tips• Usually there are more true answers than false on most tests. If

there is no guessing penalty, then guess. You have a 50% chance of getting the right answer.

• Read through each statement carefully, and pay attention to the qualifiers and keywords.

• Qualifiers like "never, always, and every mean that the statement must be true all of the time. Usually these type of qualifiers lead to a false answer.

• Qualifiers like "usually, sometimes, and generally" mean that the statement can be considered true or false depending on the circumstances. Usually these type of qualifiers lead to an answer of true.

• If any part of the question is false, then the entire statement is false but just because part of a statement is true doesn't necessarily make the entire statement true.


Math Test TipsMath Test Tips• Repetition is important in math. You learn how to solve

problems by doing them so keep on practice problems but don't do it blindly. Make sure you learn how to recognize when/why you should use a specific method to solve a problem. Work on practice problems for each topic ranging in levels of difficulty.

• Make up a sheet with all the formulas you need to know and memorize all the formulas on the sheet.

• When you get your exam, write down all the key formulas on the margin of your paper so if you forget them when you're in the middle of the test you can look back at the formula.

• Read the directions carefully and don't forget to answer all parts of the question.


• Make estimates for your answers... e.g. if you are asked to answer 48 x 12 = ?, you could expect a number around 500 but if you end up with an answer around 5000, you'll know you did something wrong.

• Show all your work (especially when partial credit is awarded) and write as legibly as possible.

• Even if you know the final answer is wrong, don't erase your entire work because you may get partial credit for using the correct procedure.

• Check over your test after you are done with it. If you have time, redo the problems on a separate piece of paper and see if you come up with the same answers the second time around. Look for careless mistakes.



So…….So…….

• Why is it important to address these children’s needs?

• Why is important to channel these children’s energies?

• Why is important to do what we can to give them the best chance for success?BECAUSE………..


Untreated ADHDUntreated ADHDResearch SuggestsResearch Suggests

• 35% never finish high school• 43% of hyperactive boys are arrested for a

felony by age 16• Have significantly higher motor vehicle

accidents and speeding tickets• They are five times more likely to die in

adolescence, secondary to their impulsive behavior.

• 52% abuse alcohol and drugs• 19% smoke at near twice the rate of the

general population• Studies suggest that at least 50% of prison

inmates are ADHD

• Make estimates for your answers... e.g. if you are asked to answer 48 x 12 = ?, you could expect a number around 500 but if you end up with an answer around 5000, you'll know you did something wrong.

• Show all your work (especially when partial credit is awarded) and write as legibly as possible.

• Even if you know the final answer is wrong, don't erase your entire work because you may get partial credit for using the correct procedure.

• Check over your test after you are done with it. If you have time, redo the problems on a separate piece of paper and see if you come up with the same answers the second time around. Look for careless mistakes.



That’s allThat’s all

folks! folks!


ReferencesReferences• Bipolar or ADHD by Russ Crites• Executive Function Disorder by Russ Crites• The Teacher’s Encyclopedia of Behavior

Management--Sprick/Howard• The Tough Kid Book--Rhode, Jenson &

Reavis• The Tough Kid Tool Box--Jenson, Rhode &

Reavis• The Well Managed Classroom--Connolly,

Dowd, Criste, Nelson & Tobias


References continuedReferences continued

• See ASCD home page for research studies.www.ascd.org/educationnews/eric/manage.html

Brown ADD Scale Information: www.jhasim.com/htmlfiles/articles/volume2/number25/910-914.pdf

Documents

Copyright 1998 F. Russell Crites, Jr. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder & Study Skills Tools for Parents of ADHD Children F. Russell Crites, L.P.C.,