by Mystrywtr

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

It's not easy for parents and teachers to deal with children that have ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is defined in the medical community as a brain-based condition, caused by chemical imbalances in parts of the brain.

First let's start in the school with the teachers and the tips for helping teachers deal with the student. The teacher should have the student sit in the front and closest to them. When assigning work or tasks in the classroom, the teacher should make sure that the instructions/directions should be kept at a minimal. When giving the instruction/directions, the teacher should give them one at a time and wait until the first is completed. Or seeing if the student needs help or having a problem. When giving a question with choices, try to keep the choices to two. When having the student do work and they are having trouble concentrating, a reward system should be put into place. Small rewards for small things and big rewards for bigger things. For example if the student is reading or given a short assignment he can be rewarded with a toy. For a larger item like doing all his homework correctly, he can be given time to read his favorite book.

The teacher should keep constant communication with the parents. The parents should be notified on a weekly basis on how their child is doing in school.

When it comes to reprimanding and punishing the child, the same advice here is for both the parents and the teacher. Keep punishments brief, you don't want the child to loose sight of the reason for being punished after a long period of time. When punishing, make the point of why you are doing what ever needs to be done brief no long explanations.

As for the parents, before sending the child off to school, they should make sure that all the items including the back pack has the child name on it. Not only should the name be written but a contact number as well, in case the item or items get lost or misplaced. No money should be given to the child for that reason as well. Try to set up a payment system with the school if they do not have a pre paid lunch system. As far as clothing, try not to have the child wear anything that can distract him/her like buttons or zippers. Pullovers are the best because some have hoods in case it is cold, no reason to have a hat. And I have even heard of some parents getting slip on shoes so no laces are involved.

When the child is home and it's time to do homework, there should be no distractions. Make time so no phone calls distract you and the child as well as the television, radio or even other children playing. Make a checklist for the child so he/she can check things off one by one to make sure everything was done. Parents should always double check the work to make sure it is completed correctly. A checklist is a great idea for other things as well not just for homework.

When it comes to free time and playing, limits should be set on each item so the child doesn't get too used to the toy or game. So limit time with television, the computer and especially video games.

Some children even get annoyed with waiting, so another good thing is to have a digital watch or clock so they can keep track of time and know exactly in how long something will end or start.

These are all helpful tips and advice that people have used at home as well as some teachers in classrooms.

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