How to take care of a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder- Tips

1. Just ask a child how you can help. Children often know this, but their opinions are ignored.
2. Remember about the emotional aspect of the learning process. Children need success, not failures. Particularly take care of child's self-esteem.
3. Remember that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder need a structure- if their environment gives it to them, they easily deal with their problems.
4. Set the rules, write them down on a piece of paper and put it on a wall. From time to time repeat the rules- children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder need to hear some things more than once.
5. Try to keep an eye contact with a child as often as possible.
6. Your schedule should be predictible. If you want to introduce any changes, prepare children for it.
7. Pay attention to the quality of the work not to the quantity- give less homeworks.
8. Divide extensive assignements into small parts. Small tasks seem to be manageable and a child does not feel overpowered. Children do not even start doing huge tasks and think „Oh, I cannot manage it”.
9. Teach a child how to underline parts of the text which are to be learned – it will intriduce a structure into the text.
10. Simplify your instructions- you will attract child's attention.
11. Let children to be responsible for what they do as often as possible.
12. Try to meet parents as often as possible, but keep in mind that it is not the time only for discussing problematic issues. Praise children while talking to their parents.
13. Always try to notice that moment, in which child's talent appears. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are much more talented than we suppose.
14. Reduce the number of short tests. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder cannot show what they really know in such a short time.
15. Change serious learning into the fun. In this way you will teach more!
16. Give short, simple instructions and check their realization.
17. To older children suggest writing down their doubts and asking questions in the right time, instead of interrupting the lesson.
18. Be like a conductor, attract orchestra's attention. Keep your class in a proper rhythm.
19. Praise, approve, encourage, stimulate. Always notice if a child works well.

(Borowska A., Jak pomóc dziecku z ADHD?, Warsaw 2009)