Why Teachers Should Understand ADHD Essay -- Education ADD ADHD Essays

Why Teachers Should Understand vigilance Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderWhat is Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADD/ADHD? Some feel it is a neurobiological upset while others say it is a skill disorder. Ever since 1980 when the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders officially recognized ADD/ADHD as a behavior disorder, the definition has kept evolving and changing. But ADD/ADHD has been around a lot longer than twenty-three years. Some in the medical professions believe ADHD is a common mental disorder and has been recognized in adept form or another for over a century (Conners and Jett, 1999, p. 3). Teacher oriented literature leans toward classifying ADD/ADHD as a learning disorder of the other health impaired type. It was not until the year 2000 that ADD/ADHD could even qualify as an impairment in the eyes of educational truth (United States Department of Education, 2000).At present, there is no cu t and dry definition of ADD/ADHD. There is also no valid neurological or physiological test that can be used to diagnose ADHD (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 1999). What we do have is a list of common symptoms of the disorder. fit in to Phelan, (1996) there are eight major characteristics that one can look for in a child1. Inattention/Distractibility2. Impulsivity3. Difficulty delaying gratification/Impatience4. Hyperactivity5. ruttish over arousal6. Non compliance7. Social problems8. DisorganizationInattention/Distractibility is the most important ... ...ns for students with ADD. Intervention in School & Clinic, 38 (5), 280 289.Snider, V. E., Busch, T. & Arrowood, L. (2003). Teacher knowledge of remark medication and ADHD. Remedial & Special Education, 24 (1), 46 57.Stevens, S. (1996). The LD Child and the ADHD Child Ways Paren ts and Professionals Can Help. Winston Salem, NC John F. Blair, Publisher.Sturomski, N. (1997) Teaching students with learning disabilities to use learning strategies. NICHCY News Digest, 25, 2 12.U.S. Department of Education. (2000). The 22nd annual report to congress on the implementation of the individuals with disabilities education act. Washington, D.C. U. S. Office of Special Education.Zentall, S. S., Moon, S. M., & Grskovic, J. A. (2001). Learning and motivational characteristics of boys with AD/HD and/or giftedness. Exceptional Children, 67, 499 519.