Author: Carrie Jackson

Counseling Coffee Corner

December 18, 2017

Supporting Students
With
ADHD

ADHD– What We Know
*Brain scans of ADHD brains show they are less aroused in specific centers of the brain
*ADHD is a development disorder that affects all self regulation , NOT JUST ATTENTION
*In an ADHD brain messages sent from the executive functioning regions (prefrontal cortex) are overrun by bottom messages sent from the more primitive brain stem region
*ADHD is not a knowledge/skill issue, it’s a performance issue so intervention must happen at the point of performance (ex: intervene in the classroom not a counseling session)
*ADHD is one of the most treatable childhood disorders but if left untreated it can adversely affect: social skills, academics, safety, health, self-esteem
*ADHD students are all affected differently but areas where they often struggle are: motivation and goal setting, working memory, attention, social skills, body control, organization, sleeping, and maturity– up to a 30% delay
Simulation– How it feels to try and focus when you have ADHD
Resources
*Understood.org
*Attiudemag.com (webinars, parent forums, articles)
*Chadd.org
*American Academy of Pediatrics, aap.org
*Timetimer.com (elapsed time timer)
*Headspace (mediation app)
*30/30 (free timer app)
*Relax Melodies (free white noise app)
*Mind Yeti mindyeti.com
*Go Zen on YouTube (Body Scan)

Menu
Sausage Balls
Pimento Cheese and Pita Chips
Veggie Tray
Christmas Candies
Hot Chocolate
Christmas Punch

Classroom Interventions

*Check in/check out with counselor or administration
*Mindfulness/Meditation/Yoga
*Organization Help (starting an Organization Assistance Program during Advisory 2nd semester)
*Positive Reinforcement
*Planned breaks (errand/chore) at teacher direction
*Allow for more movement in classroom
-Stand up desk
-Exercise Ball
-Two work areas to go back and forth between
-Bouncy band on chair
-Velcro under edge of desk for increased stimulation
*Visual reminders for task completion and rewards
*Backpack tags (list what all needs to go home and be in bag each day)
*Timer for whole class or just a timer on that student’s desk

Other Treatments Used

Treatment Reported Effectiveness (children) Reported Effectiveness (adults)
Prescription/Medication (list attached) 41% 40%
Vitamins, Minerals, or Supplements 12% 15%
Exercise 49% 56%
Diet 25% 33%
Counseling/Therapy 33% 48%
Mindfulness 27% 42%
(These results are from a 2017 survey by ADDitude)