Adhd - A Practical Guide For Schools

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
FOR
SCHOOLS
ADHD Working Group
ADHD Guide 4 Schools new
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

A Practical Guide for Schools
Foreword
This booklet has been prepared by a Working Group of Educational
Psychologists from the five Northern Ireland Education Boards, with
representation also from the National Educational Psychology Service in the
Republic of Ireland. It has been prepared at the request of the Northern Ireland
Regional Strategy Group on Special Educational Needs and has been funded
by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to those who responded
to consultations in the preparation of this booklet, including teachers,
classroom assistants, health professionals, NIADD (The Northern Ireland
ADHD Family Support Group), parents and young people.
The information contained in this booklet has been gathered from a wide range
of published sources which are not individually referenced. We also wish to
acknowledge the expertise of a large number of practitioners who have helped
to inform and refine the management strategies which have been included.
Authors note
In line with current practice, in this booklet the individual child will be referred
to using they and their in order to avoid gender-specific references.
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The ADHD Working Group:

Philip McKeever
Julie Connell
Gayle Nixon
Roz Richardson
Paula Hegarty
Ita McGuigan
Ann Marrion
Ann Cranley
Fiona Treanor
Helen Hinfey
Mary Coyle
(Senior Educational Psychologist, SEELB- Co-Ordinator)

(Educational Psychologist, SEELB)
(Senior Educational Psychologist, BELB)
(Educational Psychologist, BELB)
(Senior Educational Psychologist, WELB)
(Educational Psychologist, WELB)
(Senior Educational Psychologist, NEELB)
(Educational Psychologist, SELB)
(Educational Psychologist, SELB)
(National Educational Psychology Service)
(National Educational Psychology Service)
Principal authors
Gayle Nixon
Roz Richardson
(Senior Educational Psychologist, BELB)

(Educational Psychologist, BELB)
Copies of this booklet may be obtained from your local Education and
Library Board. Copies can also be downloaded from the ELB web sites
(See Useful Contacts - Appendix 6).
March 2004
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Contents
SECTIONS
PAGE
1
Introduction
Section 1: What is ADHD?

How is ADHD diagnosed?
Types of ADHD
What causes it?
Will they grow out of it?
Strengths of the child with ADHD
How might the child with ADHD present in class?
What is school like for a child with ADHD?
Section 2: What can be done to help?

Medical intervention
The Code of Practice
Strategies
Favourites
General classroom management strategies
Dealing with ADHD-specific difficulties
Behaviour programmes
Conclusion
Section 3: Appendices
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
Diagnostic criteria
Observation schedules
Education plans
Useful websites
Behaviour programmes, charts & diaries
Useful contacts
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Introduction
At one time or another, most children show weak concentration, become
overactive, or act without thinking. There are some children, however, who
show particular and exceptional difficulties with inattention, hyperactivity and
impulsivity, which have an effect on their learning and behaviour and which
they themselves seem unable to control. These difficulties do not appear to be
explained by usual influences such as computer games, too much TV, poor
management or diet.
These children have a condition known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD - sometimes referred to as ADD).
The purpose of this booklet is to provide school staff with information about
ADHD and how children with the condition can be helped in school. A booklet,
Your child with ADHD: A practical guide, has also been produced that is
aimed primarily at parents and carers. Copies of both booklets can be
obtained as previously described.
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Section 1 - WHAT IS ADHD?

ADHD is a developmental disorder that occurs in 1-3% of the population. As
with other developmental disorders, boys are more likely to be affected than
girls. ADHD is not related to intelligence. Children with all levels of ability can
have it and it can affect children from all walks of life. ADHD does not go
away. The presentation of the condition, however, may change over time.
There is a strong genetic component in ADHD. Research shows that if a
parent has ADHD, there is a greater than 50% chance that at least one of their
children will also have the condition.
Children with ADHD show particular difficulties in some or all of the following:
Inattention
cant focus
dont seem to be listening
seem to be daydreaming
very easily distracted
cant concentrate
Hyperactivity
always on the go
cant sit still
Impulsiveness
act before thinking
shout out in class
Remember...
These are behaviours that all of us display to some degree at different times.
However, in children with ADHD the behaviours are also:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Present for more than six months;

Severe enough to interfere with normal functioning for children of their age;
Not explained by developmental level or other difficulty/condition;
Not explained by other factors such as laziness; lack of sleep; too much
TV; videos; food additives.
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How is ADHD diagnosed?

The current diagnostic criteria for ADHD can be found in DSM-IV
(Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 4th Edition, American
Psychiatric Association, 1994 - see Appendix 1). Although ADHD is a complex
disorder with many components, the diagnosis depends solely upon
observable patterns of behaviour. There is no single medical or psychological
test available to help us with the diagnosis of ADHD. The diagnostic
procedure is therefore difficult and complex. Many people are often involved
including parents, teachers, educational and clinical psychologists, therapists,
GPs, paediatricians, and child and adolescent psychiatrists. The final
diagnosis is typically made by a paediatrician or psychiatrist. Best practice in
this area is recognised to be multi-modal assessment where a number of
professionals consider the childs needs together.
It is important to note that ADHD can often exist alongside other difficulties and
developmental disorders, which means that a diagnosis of ADHD may not
explain all of the difficulties the child is exhibiting.
It should be noted also that some behaviours which look like ADHD may be
due to other causes and conditions (e.g. emotional upset, conduct disorder
etc). It should not be assumed that a child has ADHD until a full professional
assessment and diagnosis has been completed.
Types of ADHD
Children with ADHD are all individuals and no two are the same. However,
they may be divided into three broad groups according to their behavioural
presentation:
1.
ADHD (Inattentive Type)
2.
ADHD (Hyperactive-Impulsive Type)
3.
ADHD (Combined Type)
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What causes it?

ADHD is not a new phenomenon. Good quality research suggests ADHD is
caused by neurotransmitter dysfunction, primarily in the frontal lobe area of the
brain. The neurotransmitter chemical Dopamine is implicated.
ADHD cannot be caught, transmitted or caused by environmental factors such
as diet, parenting or education. However, we must remember that
environmental factors can influence every child and so are still important.
Will they grow out of it?

While childrens concentration and behaviour usually improve with age and
maturity, the problems of those with ADHD may continue in the longer term. It
is not therefore safe to wait for them to grow out of it. Proper help and care
are needed to reduce the impact of ADHD on childrens learning, behaviour
and emotional development.
Strengths of the child with ADHD

While children with ADHD have some difficulties, they also have many
strengths. Some children with ADHD may be:
good at expressing themselves;
quick to put what they learn into practice;
good at seeing the big picture;
fun to be with;
enthusiastic;
curious;
humorous;
artistic;
energetic.
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How might the child with ADHD present in class?

Look out for the child who, to a significant and inappropriate degree...
Is often off-task
Doesnt finish their work
Makes careless mistakes
Appears lazy / disinterested
Daydreams / appears not to listen
Misses instructions / asks for things to be repeated
Cant seem to focus
Is unable to maintain effort over time
Is forgetful / disorganised
and / or
Talks excessively
Shouts / blurts out answers
Interrupts / intrudes on others
Cant wait their turn
Doesnt wait to hear instructions
Is restless / fidgety
Is frequently out of their seat
Is always on the go
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What is school like for a child with ADHD?
Its so hard to
concentrate, teachers
dont understand this.
Schools should make

people with ADHD feel
wanted. You get bullied
because you are different.
I know it is hard without

the tablets and I concentrate
better with them. I think
everybody is special - no
matter what.
You feel left out

and you cant
calm yourself.
Not being able to write

fast makes me feel
different... Everyone else is
quick at writing - it isnt hard
for them.
Im not stupid, Im in the top form - if

teachers would only repeat
instructions for me
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When we understand the types of difficulties children with ADHD have to cope
with, we can imagine how tough school life can be for them.
Children with ADHD have difficulty: Screening out unwanted stimuli
Everything screams for the attention of the child with ADHD: the hunger pangs
in their stomach, the noise of the distant lawn mower, thoughts about the
football match, the pencil dropped by the child behind them. The teachers
voice is only a small distraction! Imagine yourself sitting in an important
lecture trying to concentrate on the speakers voice while two of your favourite
films are showing at full volume in the conference room, your mobile is ringing,
your friend is waving through the window and the person next to you keeps
chatting to you. This might help you to imagine how the distractions of a
normal classroom affect the child with ADHD.
Monitoring and regulating their own behaviour
Children with ADHD are poor self-monitors. They often require high levels of
feedback to let them know what they are doing right and wrong. When these
children hear, Stop that! they may not actually know to which behaviour the
teacher is referring.
Inhibiting inappropriate verbal and physical responses
Its not that the child did not know it was a bad idea to throw the paper
aeroplane; its just that they knew it after they threw it! The mechanisms that
allow us to think before we speak or act are affected in ADHD.
Knowing how much concentration is needed for a task
We know that it requires greater effort to read an academic journal than it does
to read a magazine and we allocate mental effort accordingly. This is difficult
for the child with ADHD.
Sustaining attention for prolonged periods
Children with ADHD may start an activity with great enthusiasm but they find
this difficult to sustain.
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Controlling activity level

Children with ADHD can have trouble adapting their activity level so that it is
appropriate to the context. They may feel the need to move as much in the
classroom as they do in the playground!
These difficulties have a number of consequences for children with ADHD.
They may find it hard to make and sustain friendships. They could find that,
despite their best efforts to manage their behaviour, they are often in trouble in
school and underachieving in the curriculum. This can clearly cause stress
and anxiety, reduce the childs self-esteem and lead to negative views of
school.
School staff are in a powerful position to halt this negative spiral and make a
huge impact on the quality of life for children with ADHD.
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Section 2 - WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP?

ADHD is a complex disorder that has many components and therefore needs
to be addressed in a number of ways. Very often, the most important thing
that anyone can do for a child with ADHD is to take time to get to know them,
and to understand their condition and how it affects them. This can include
spending time with the child, talking to their parents and other professionals
and reading any reports that are available.
The ADHD-friendly adult...
Is aware of what life is like for the child with ADHD
Is warm and understanding
Is prepared to be flexible
Has a well-developed sense of humour
Works closely with parents
These characteristics will go a long way to help make school life positive for
any child, but they are particularly important for the child with ADHD.
Strategies are useful, but positive relationships are more important.
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Medical intervention
For significant numbers of children, psychostimulant medication has been
shown to be highly effective in the management of ADHD. It is widely
recognised, however, that supporting the child at home and in school is also
extremely important. Strategies to support the child with ADHD will be
addressed later in the booklet.
Although, as educationalists, we are not directly involved with medication, we
can play a key role in monitoring its effectiveness. It is therefore important that
we have a basic understanding of the medication involved.
Children with ADHD are often prescribed psychostimulant medication (e.g.
Ritalin & Dexedrine). These are not sedatives, they are actually stimulants
that help the child to concentrate and settle to task so the child may seem
calmer when they take them. They have an immediate, observable effect
within half an hour or so, and wear off in around four hours so the child may
need a number of doses a day. This medication is now also available in a
slow-release form so some children may only need to take their tablet once a
day. If medication is required during the school day, your schools own
procedures for the administration of medication should be followed.
Some side effects are possible and it is therefore important for both schools
and parents to monitor the childs behaviour, mood, eating and sleeping
patterns and pass this information to the prescribing consultant. This will
assist the consultant in devising a medication schedule (timing and dosage)
appropriate to the child. Not all children with ADHD respond to medication,
however, research suggests that it is the single most effective form of
treatment for many when it is carefully monitored.
Some children with ADHD have been reported to respond well to vitamin and
food supplements (including fish oils and essential fatty acids). Research is
ongoing in this area.
It is important to remember that children with ADHD have complex difficulties
and medication will not solve all of them. Perhaps it is useful to think of the
medication as providing us with a window of opportunity in which to work with
children to help them change their behaviour, and develop their self-esteem,
social skills and peer relationships.
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The Code of Practice

The Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special
Educational Needs provides a structure for schools to address childrens
difficulties.
The term Special Educational Needs refers not only to learning difficulties,
but also covers social, emotional, behavioural and health issues. The needs of
children with ADHD should therefore be met in accordance with the Code of
Practice. The needs of many of these children can successfully be met within
the school-based stages of the Code of Practice, without input from external
agencies.
The Code of Practice has implications for both schools and parents. Regular
and mutually supportive home-school contact is crucial in meeting the needs of
children with ADHD in order to:
Share information
Share responsibility for the childs progress
Agree and review education plans
The most important, and probably the most difficult, aspects of writing
education plans are:
Identifying specific difficulties
Setting targets
Devising strategies
Identifying specific difficulties

It is important to have more than anecdotal evidence of the childs difficulties.
The best way to achieve good quality objective information is through
structured observation and careful record keeping. The STARE chart is useful
observation schedule (see Appendix 2). Other sources of information include
behaviour checklists, information from others who know the child and
discussion with the child.
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Setting targets
To set effective targets, we should focus less on the childs difficulties and
more on the things we would like the child to be able to achieve. Targets
should always be achievable and something the child could manage with
appropriate support. Think in terms of exact and measurable outcomes. This
ensures regular success and positive outcomes for pupils, teachers and
parents.
e.g. By the end of March, John will work independently
for 5 mins once a day, 3 days per week.
John will work independently
Devising strategies
You will already have a large repertoire of management strategies that you
adapt to the needs of the children you teach. Hopefully there will be a few
strategies within the booklet that you can add to this. It is important to note the
strategies you have tried on the education plan so you can identify which are
useful / beneficial for the child. See Appendix 3 for some examples of
education plans.
Sometimes children with specific difficulties may be eligible for special
examination arrangements at secondary level. Guidelines are published each
year detailing criteria and procedures. If you are working with a child who may
benefit from special arrangements, it would be worth discussing this with the
SENCo and/or examinations officer in your school.
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Strategies
The following strategies are not particularly new or radical. They are all things
that you will find in place in many schools. They will be useful for lots of
children, not only those with ADHD. In order to support these children, it is
essential to put structures and supports in place to help them cope with the
demands of school life. The principles behind the following strategies are
applicable to children with ADHD regardless of their age. The practical
application, however, will vary according to the age and ability of the child so
youll need to adapt them to your particular situation.
It is important to note that these strategies are not meant to replace the normal
disciplinary procedures in your school. If a child with ADHD misbehaves,
sanctions may need to be imposed to help them understand that their
behaviour was unacceptable. Dont, however, expect todays sanction to
moderate the childs behaviour tomorrow. The sanction simply shows right
from wrong. If you want to see the behaviour change you will need to
implement some supportive strategies.
The strategies target many of the difficult behaviours associated with ADHD.
We must implement them sensitively and supportively remembering that life
can be tough for children with ADHD and the behaviours are not deliberate.
Living with ADHD without appropriate support can affect childrens self-esteem,
relationships with others, academic progress and can lead to low self-worth,
anxiety and even feelings of hopelessness.
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Favourites
These are the strategies that have been tried and tested by a number of
teachers and have been found to be particularly useful.
Headphones / screen
Children with ADHD have difficulty screening out external stimuli so that they
can concentrate on the task in hand. As a concentration aid, try allowing them
to listen to music on headphones while engaged in a piece of settled work.
The music screens extraneous auditory stimuli and helps the child to
concentrate on their work. This would, of course, need to be handled
sensitively in a classroom situation. In order to avoid stigmatising the child
with ADHD it may be necessary to allow other children to use headphones too.
If you decide to play music aloud to the whole class group, give the child with
ADHD headphones, because without the screening effect of the headphones,
the music will simply be a further distraction.
Placing a screen around the childs desk, like a study carrel, will reduce
external visual stimuli for the child. This would, obviously, only be appropriate
for certain tasks/lessons and would again require extremely careful handling.
Clearly interacting with peers is important for social development so screens
should be used sparingly and in a way that doesnt stigmatise the child.
In the secondary setting these strategies will not be practical in all subject
areas but might work well, for example, when concentrated pieces of
independent work are required.
Traffic lights
This simple visual system is used in many primary classrooms as a way of
managing noise level. A poster of traffic lights is displayed in the classroom
with a moveable arrow. The teacher sets the arrow at an appropriate noise
level for the task in hand i.e. red = silence, amber = whispering, and
green = free talking. This can be a useful support for a child with ADHD
because it provides a visual reminder of a verbal instruction. Using as many
modalities as possible to communicate expectations to the child and providing
regular, positive reminders will maximize the likelihood of compliance. For
older children, the visual reminder can take the form of written instructions on
the blackboard or key words displayed on the walls.
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Visual timetable / chunking

Again, visual displays of what is expected of the child will provide multisensory reminders. This technique also has the advantage of breaking time
down into manageable chunks and giving the child greater predictability and
security within their day. A visual timetable helps them to focus on a
manageable amount of time. In secondary school, detailed written timetables
for each class displayed inside a class book can serve the same purpose.
A visual timetable can also be used in conjunction with a behaviour
programme and rewards can be displayed on it.
Attention training
This can be labour-intensive but is often very successful and so worth the
effort. First, time how long the child can sustain attention on a routine task e.g.
copying down homework. This might only be 3-4 minutes (or even 20
seconds!), but whatever it is, mark it onto an attractive chart. Show the child
how long they concentrated for. The next day ask the child to try to beat their
time. Make this fun. Say ready, steady, go and let them see the timer.
Kitchen timers that show the time ticking away are great. Failing that, just use
a stopwatch. Each day repeat the procedure, marking the childs new time
onto the chart. Make lots of fuss as you see the child improve.
Improvements in this area will be difficult for the child and will require lots of
effort. Be sure to acknowledge this and dont make unrealistic demands.
Brain gym & stress toy

Children with ADHD will fidget / move around no matter what you say or do!!!
So look for opportunities to maximize legitimate movement in your classroom.
The more opportunities there are for legitimate movement the less likely the
child is to fidget and wander around the classroom in a disruptive manner.
Brain gym is a series of exercises designed to increase brain activity. The
exercises are reported to have beneficial effects with all children. Details of
the exercises can be found at www.braingym.org.uk (See Appendix 4 for
details of other useful websites).
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A stress toy is useful to give to a child with ADHD when you are talking to the
whole class and require quiet attention. Playing with a stress toy appears to
help the child to concentrate. It also keeps their hands busy so that they dont
fidget with pencils and rulers. Even a piece of blu-tac could do the same job.
You just want to give the child something to fiddle with that wont make a
sound if it is dropped and wont injure someone if it is thrown across the
classroom!!
ICT
Computers are a wonderful resource for children with ADHD. They provide
non-judgmental, immediate feedback in an exciting multi-sensory way every
single time - much better than human beings! Incorporate as much computerassisted instruction into your timetable for these children as possible. It could
also be used as a reward on a behaviour programme. Remember, because
the computer is so rewarding for the child with ADHD, getting them to move on
to the next activity can be difficult. It is helpful therefore to use a timer so that
the child is aware how long they can spend on the computer and when their
time is up.
Circle Time
Children with ADHD often lack understanding of social rules, and can have
difficulties forming and sustaining friendships. For this reason, Circle Time can
provide an excellent forum for them and other children to develop the skills of
turn-taking, listening, empathy, and making good decisions. Circle Time topics
can be chosen with the particular needs of the ADHD child in mind.
Circle Time is often successfully implemented during Personal & Social
Education or form class / tutor group in secondary school.
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General classroom management strategies

The following strategies are based on general classroom management
principles and are useful for all children, not only those with ADHD.
Consequently, these strategies will be very familiar to most teachers and
already in place in most classrooms. They are included here for the sake of
completeness and because children with ADHD, in particular, respond well to
structure, consistency and positive reinforcement. Teachers will make a
greater impact on children with positive rather than negative comments,
rewards rather than sanctions. Children are more likely to respond to a
constructive approach than to punishment for behaviours they have difficulty
managing. A purely punitive approach could foster oppositional/defiant
behaviour in the longer term.
Positive reinforcement
Provide frequent, immediate and consistent feedback about acceptable
and unacceptable behaviour. This helps children monitor and regulate
their behaviour.
Praise positive achievements and behaviour and be specific (e.g. You
were kind to your friends in the playground today instead of Good boy,
well done).
Where possible, ignore minor inappropriate behaviour and actively
reinforce desired classroom behaviours with positive teacher attention
(e.g. acknowledge the positive behaviour of a nearby pupil).
Use careful reprimands for misbehaviour, ensuring you criticize the
misbehaviour not the child (e.g. Hitting others is wrong instead of You
are very naughty).
Avoid imposing negative consequences on the whole class based on
one childs behaviour.
Classroom rules and routines

Keep classroom rules clear and simple.
Word them positively (e.g. Put up your hand and wait quietly for help
instead of Dont shout out).
Discuss the rules, display them on the wall and stick a personal copy in
the childs book or on their desk.
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Ensure that pupils know what happens when the rules are kept or broken.
Be seen to do exactly as you say you will do. Do not make false threats
or promises.
Establish a daily classroom routine and schedule and ensure that it is
known, understood and practiced. This is particularly important at
transition times.
Classroom layout
If possible, seating in the classroom should be flexible, with several
tables for group work in addition to rows or individual desks for
independent work.
It is important for the teacher to be able to move freely about the room
and have access to all students.
Giving instructions
When you give instructions to the class, get their quiet attention first.
Shouting over a noisy class doesnt work.
Use lots of eye contact when speaking to the class.
Give short sequences of instructions in the order you want them to be
carried out. If necessary, give instructions one at a time.
As an additional reminder, follow up oral instructions with written or
pictorial instructions that the children can consult if required.
Before commencing a task check that pupils know what to do.
During tasks, make frequent checks to ensure that pupils are following
instructions correctly.
Lesson structure and presentation

Review previous lessons on the topic before describing the current lesson.
Actively involve pupils in lesson presentation (e.g. choose someone to
write key words / ideas on the board).
A multi-sensory approach to lesson presentation aids pupils
understanding and recall of lesson material (e.g. Combining verbal
instructions with demonstration). Role-playing and computer-assisted
learning are also useful.
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Teaching aids (visual and audio) should relate directly to the material to
be learned in order to keep distractions to a minimum.
Include a variety of activities during each lesson and vary the pace
where possible.
State what the class is expected to learn during the lesson. Outline key
concepts, vocabulary etc.
Describe how pupils are expected to behave during the lesson
(e.g. be clear about when pupil movement is permitted and when it is
discouraged).
Identify all materials that pupils will need during the lesson and make
sure that they are easily accessible.
Tell pupils how to obtain help during the lesson (e.g. refer to a specific
page in their textbook, raise their hand and wait for teacher attention etc).
Encourage concentration and on-task behaviour by providing short
breaks in which pupils can engage in physical activity.
Allow adequate time for lesson review / recap.
Worksheets
Use large, dark black print on buff-coloured paper.
Keep page format simple avoiding visual clutter (i.e. pictures that are
not directly related to the task).
Avoid handwritten worksheets.
Provide only one or two activities per page and give simple, clear
instructions. Four worksheets containing five questions each is
preferable to a single worksheet of twenty questions.
Divide the page into sections and devise a system to cover sections
when they are not being used.
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Dealing with ADHD-specific difficulties

Difficulty sustaining attention / completing tasks
Reduce task length (differentiation).
Break long assignments into short, achievable tasks & reward
completion promptly.
Follow a difficult task with a preferred task.
Allow short breaks between tasks.
Use a timer to indicate a period of concentrated work.
Emphasize quality of work rather than quantity.
Make use of alternative methods of recording (pictures, diagrams, tape
recorder, word processor).
Develop a reward system for work and homework completion (e.g. each
completed assignment earns children a raffle ticket with their name on it.
Prizes or special privileges could be awarded on the basis of a random
draw held daily or weekly).
Easily distracted
Seat the pupil in the front third of the class, as close to the teacher as
possible without being punitive or permanently isolating from other pupils.
This will enable the teacher to monitor and reinforce on-task behaviour.
Seat the pupil away from distracting influences (windows, doors, library
corner) to minimize visual and auditory distractions.
It can be useful to have two seats in the classroom for the child with
ADHD - one away from distractions for periods of concentrated work, and
the other within a group to promote social contact.
Place the pupil between well-behaved, positive role models. This will
provide opportunities for cooperative working and will enable the pupil to
learn from their peers.
Remove all objects not required for a task from the pupils desk.
Listening to soft music through headphones is a useful concentration aid
as it blocks out other auditory distractions (see Favourites section).
Use desk dividers / study carrels to reduce visual distractions (see
Favourites section).
The use of physical proximity helps prevent wandering attention and also
alerts the pupil if they are off-task. The adult should stand next to the
pupil when giving instructions / presenting a lesson.
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Ensure eye contact when giving the pupil assistance / instructions.

Attention training (see Favourites section).
Shouting out / talking out of turn

Ignore inappropriate comments & questions where possible. This is not
always easy but avoids giving attention to the child for inappropriate
behaviour. Instead, when the child shouts out, try praising another child
for their behaviour.
Provide positive reinforcement for listening. Be careful to catch the child
being good and praise when possible.
Teach the child to practise a structured routine each time they approach
a task e.g. 1. Stop and listen, 2. Look and think, 3. Answer and do.
Traffic light system (see Favourites section).
Cube box challenge (see Behaviour programmes section).
Untidy / disorganized
Assist the pupil with personal organization. This can be done by colourcoding books and folders, providing lists of books and materials needed
for each day/class, providing print-outs of homework and course-work
requirements (including submission dates), and enlisting help from home
where possible.
Arrange for peer support. Find an organized friend who is willing to help
out. If possible, find something that the child with ADHD can help them
with in return so that there is some equality.
Reward tidiness through classroom rituals. Set aside special times to tidy
folders etc. and times of amnesty when long-forgotten work can be
handed in and organized.
Be willing to repeat expectations each time you set a piece of work.
Instructions summarized on the board are helpful too.
Keep worksheet format simple.
Keep materials needed to hand. Walking across the classroom to get
something provides too many opportunities for distraction!
Develop a clear system for keeping track of completed and uncompleted
work.
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Difficulty with transitions

Use individual / group work schedules in picture or written format (see
Define requirements carefully. Remind the child of the rules for lining up,
walking down the corridor and entering the next classroom.
Aim for consistency across tasks/classes. The child will find it very
difficult to respond to the different requirements of different teachers.
Always give a 5-minute warning before ending an activity to allow time to
finish off and prepare for transition.
Fidgets / squirms
Break tasks into small steps.
Allow alternative seating. Allow the pupil to straddle their chair horsebackstyle, with the back of the chair against the pupils desk. It is more
difficult to swing or tip a chair in this position.
Allow alternative movement where possible. Allow the pupil to stand at
times when working and provide opportunities for seat breaks (e.g.
running errands or handing out books).
Consider using Brain Gym or giving the child a stress toy (see
Peer problems
Utilise Circle Time, role-play and drama to teach concepts of
communication, participation and cooperation.
Arrange joint activities in class with likely friends. Encourage inclusion of
the child in friendship groups by structuring some of their play activities.
Use cooperative learning activities. These tasks require all members of
the group to fulfil their role to ensure group success. This method is
often found to increase co-operation and cohesion within the group.
Reward appropriate social behaviour (involve parents and lunchtime
supervisors). Again this is just catching the child being good. When they
behave well with peers, notice it, draw their attention to it and praise
their efforts.
Assign the pupil responsibility in the presence of their peer group. If the
other children see that the child with ADHD is highly valued by the
teacher it will increase their standing in the peer group.
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Behaviour programmes
Behaviour programmes are useful for many children who find it hard to comply
with the expectations of school, because they:
Help the child to focus on specific targets
Shift the emphasis from bad to good behaviour
Impact positively on behaviour in class, self-esteem & peer relations
N.B. It is important not to confuse behaviour programmes with education
plans. The behaviour programme is one possible strategy to support the child
in achieving the behavioural targets on their education plan.
There are many ways to set up a programme; this is just a suggestion.
Firstly, think carefully about the behaviour the child is currently displaying
and the behaviours that you wish they were displaying! Consider the age
and ability of the child before deciding how many targets to work on. For
relatively able children, from late Key Stage 1 right through to secondary
age, it is often good to work with 3 targets.
1.
Something the child consistently achieves already (you may have

to think very hard about this one!!!)
e.g. I am kind to my friends
2.
Something the child sometimes manages

e.g. I finish my work
3.
Something thats a bit more difficult but not impossible

e.g. I put up my hand
Display these targets prominently near the pupils desk and on the programme
chart or diary. If possible involve the pupil in drawing up the targets so that
they feel some sense of ownership of them (while keeping the above principles
at the back of your mind!).
Divide the day into manageable chunks of time and encourage the pupil,
for each period of time, to achieve their targets. At the end of each period
(e.g. half hour) record on the childs chart which targets they have
achieved. Clearly this is easier in secondary school because the day is
already divided into classes.
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Record progress visually (on a chart / diary) and tangibly if possible,

particularly with younger children (e.g. using counters, blocks or stickers).
Older children also need to see evidence of their progress but this can be
done more subtly, for example, using a target diary (see Appendix 5 for
examples).
Involve parents in reading the comments on the chart and encouraging
progress daily.
Only comment on positive behaviour. If there is nothing positive to say
for a particular period of time, just leave the space blank.
Build in small, regular rewards. These need not be material rewards.
Instead they could be age-appropriate privileges, e.g. going on a message
to another classroom, 5 mins computer / Internet time, 2 mins on teachers
chair, an extra minute of play for the whole class at break time.
Reward the child regularly. Choosing time on Friday afternoon can
seem like light years away to a child with ADHD! A small reward at the
end of each work period (i.e. at break time, lunchtime and home time) will
be much more effective.
Reward effort, not just achievement. Notice when the behaviour is better
than yesterday. Dont wait for it to be perfect.
Use response cost. Children with ADHD have difficulty visualizing the
potential reward so it is often better to give rewards at the start of the
time period with the potential to lose them (e.g. start the morning with 10
points and receive reward if 7 are intact by break time).
Build in an early warning system. The child should always get one calm
warning about their behaviour before a point is lost.
Dont shift the goal posts too soon! Children with ADHD have often been
in negative cycles of behaviour for a long time. If they begin to respond
to a programme, allow them to enjoy the success they have achieved. If
you change the targets too soon you could find they become
disheartened and de-motivated.
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Cube box challenge

This is a miniature behaviour programme that uses response cost and focuses
on one problematic behaviour.
Choose one behaviour (e.g. shouting out) and set a date on which you will
work on this. The teacher starts the day with a box with about 30 cubes or
counters in it and the pupil has one the same. Every time the pupil shouts out,
the teacher takes a cube from the pupils box. Every time the pupil puts their
hand up and waits appropriately the teacher awards the pupil a cube from the
teachers box. At the end of the day the cubes are counted and the person
with the most cubes is the winner. In secondary school, an individual teacher
could implement a cube box challenge during each of their lessons with a
particular pupil over the course of a week.
This provides a fun, positive, supportive way to work on a difficult behaviour
area. Use it sparingly, however, or you may find the novelty wears off!!
Examples of behaviour programmes, charts and diaries can be found in
Appendix 5.
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So, in conclusion...
We hope this booklet has given you some insight into Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and how it can be managed within the school
context. Understanding the world from the point of view of a child with ADHD
allows us to empathise more fully and provide appropriate support. The
strategies mentioned are useful, however, very often children feel more
positively about school and achieve greater success simply because they feel
their teachers understand them and are on their side.
Remember...
ADHD is a genuine and complex disorder.
Life can be extremely tough for children and young people with ADHD.
The strategies used to help these children will benefit all pupils.
School staff are in a powerful position to make changes that will have a
positive impact on lives of pupils with ADHD.
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Appendix 1 : Diagnostic criteria

DSM-IV
ICD-10
DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL

OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
IVth Edition 1994 (DSM-IV)
CRITERIA FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER (AD/HD)
A
1
Either 1 or 2
Six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for
at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with
developmental level:
INATTENTION
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
27
Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes

in schoolwork, work or other activities.
Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish
schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional
behaviour or failure to understand instructions)
Often has difficulty organising tasks or activities.
Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require
sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework).
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities, e.g. toys, school
assignments, pencils, books, or tools.
Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
Is often forgetful in daily activities.
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Six, or more, of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have

persisted for at least six months to a degree that is maladaptive and
inconsistent with developmental level;
HYPERACTIVITY
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Often fidgets with hands or feet, or squirms in seat.

Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining
seated is expected.
Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is
inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, this may be limited to subjective
feelings of restlessness).
Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
Is often on the go or often acts as if driven by a motor.
Often talks excessively.
IMPULSIVITY
g)
h)
i)
Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed.

Often has difficulty awaiting turn.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g. butts into conversations
or games.
Some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that caused

impairment were present before the age of 7 years.
Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings,

e.g. at school (or work) and at home.
There must be a clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in

social, academic or occupational functioning.
The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive

Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder,
and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder, e.g. Mood
Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder or Personality Disorder.
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INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES

10th Edition - World Health Organisation 1992 (ICD 10)
CRITERIA FOR HYPERKINETIC DISCORDER
A
Demonstrate abnormality of attention and activity at HOME, for the age

and developmental level of the child, as evidenced by at least three of
the following attention problems:
1
2
3
4
5
short duration of spontaneous activities

often leaving play activities unfinished
over-frequent changes between activities
undue lack of persistence at tasks set by adults
unduly high distractibility during study e.g. homework or
reading assignment
and by at least two of the following activity problems:

6
7
8
9
continuous motor restlessness (jumping, running etc)

markedly excessive fidgeting and wriggling during
spontaneous activities
markedly excessive activity in situations expecting relative stillness,
e.g. mealtimes travel, visiting, church
difficulty in remaining seated when required
Demonstrate abnormality of attention and activity at SCHOOL or

NURSERY (if applicable), for the age and developmental level of child,
as evidenced by at least two of the following attention problems:
1
2
3
4
undue lack of persistence at tasks

unduly high distractibility, e.g. often orientating towards
extrinsic stimuli
over frequent changes between activities when choice
is allowed
excessively short duration of play activities
and by at least two of the following activity problems:

5
29
continuous and excessive motor restlessness (running, jumping

etc.) at school
6
7
8
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markedly excessive fidgeting and wriggling in structured situations

excessive levels of off-task activity during tasks
unduly often out of seat when required to be sitting.
Directly observed abnormality of attention or activity. This must be

excessive for the childs age and developmental level. The evidence
may be any of the following:
1
2
3
direct observation of the criteria in A or B above, i.e. not solely the

report of parent and/or teacher.
observation of abnormal levels of motor activity, or off-task
behaviour, or lack of persistence.
significant impairment of performance or psychometric tests
of attention.
Does not meet criteria for pervasive developmental disorder, mania,

depressive or anxiety disorder.
Onset before the AGE OF 6 YEARS.
Duration of AT LEAST 6 MONTHS.
IQ of above 50
Note:
The research diagnosis of hyperkinetic disorder requires the definite

presence of abnormal levels of inattention and restlessness that are
pervasive across situations and persistent over time, that can be
demonstrated by direct observation, and that are not caused by other
disorders such as autism or effective disorders. Eventually,
assessment instruments should develop to the point where it is
possible to take a quantitative cut-off score on reliable, valid and
standardised measures of hyperactive behaviour in the home and
classroom, corresponding on the 95th percentile on both measures.
Such criteria would then replace A and B above.
30
31
TIME
DATE
SETTING
(i.e. place, people present, activity
and childs mood state)
BEHAVIOUR OBSERVATION CHART
S.T.A.R.E
TRIGGER
NAME:
ACTION
RESULT
EXPECTATION
BEHAVIOUR TO BE OBSERVED:

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Appendix 2 : Observation schedules
Behaviour
Date:
Consequences
25/5/04
Antecedent
Name:
ABC Record

8:17 pm
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Appendix 3 : Education plans
Stage 3 Education Plan

Teacher
Class
Child
Date moved to Stage 3
Stage 1 & 2 dates

Current presentation and specific needs
General aims
Target
Strategies
Success Criteria
Responsibilities
Monitoring & assessment arrangements
Review date:
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Teacher
Child
Mr Patient
Class
Eoin Brown
Stage 1 & 2 dates
P6
28.10.03
April 03, June 03

Eoin is able pupil
Difficulties - attending to task, relating to peers
General aims
To improve Eoins concentration, relationships in class and self esteem
Target
1. Eoin will attend to a task within his ability for 10 minutes at a time
without prompting
2. Eoin will engage in unstructured play with peers at break-time without
negative incident
Strategies
- Attention training
- Circle time
- Behaviour programme with targets relating to above
Success criteria
1. One 10 minutes session of concentrated work per day
2. Less than 3 negative incidents per week
Responsibilities
Teacher - run circle time and behaviour programme
SENCo - attention training (twice a week)

Behaviour programme monitored daily by teacher and parent through chart
EP monitored by teacher against success criteria weekly
Review date:
15 December 2003
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Teacher
Child
Miss Browne
Darren McNamee
Stage 1 & 2 dates
Class
P2
1.9.03
September 02, April 03

Moderate learning difficulties, aggressive behaviour towards peers
General aims
Ongoing academic progress at his own level and improved
peer relationships
Target
1. Darren will be able to read the first 10/100 key words and identify 15
letters and sounds (a, e,i,o,u,s,x,t,p,m,r,d,n,c &z)
2. Darren will play cooperatively with peers during structured play with
minimal adult support
Strategies
- Small group literacy support (daily)
- Behaviour programme (cube box challenge - target = kind to friends)
- Cooperative learning tasks
Success criteria
Read 10 words on 3 separate occasions without prompting
Read 15 letters on 3 separate occasions without prompting
1/2 hour successful play 3 mornings out of 5
Responsibilities
Literacy support - SENCo
Play support - Teacher and Classroom assistant
Support behaviour and revise words / letters - parents
Cube box monitored daily by teacher and classroom assistant
Literacy progress assessed weekly by SENCo
Review date:
35
October 2003
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Appendix 4 : Useful websites
Useful websites
www.attention.com
www.helpforadd.com
www.adders.org
www.cdipage.com
www.add.org (this one sings!)
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Appendix 5 : Behaviour programmes,

charts and diaries
Behaviour management programmes for children with ADHD
Enclosed are sample behaviour management record sheets.
Targets have been chosen because theres one the child can currently
manage, one that he/she achieves some of the time and one that will be a bit
of a challenge.
The day is divided into time chunks according to the age and attention of the
child.
The hints included are applicable to use of the programme with any child.
The important ingredient in the implementation of the programme with the child
with ADHD is the use of response cost. It seems children with ADHD respond
better to this than to the notion of a possible reward.
So for each target/session award the child has 2 or 3 points to start with. If
their behaviour is inappropriate, 1 point is removed as a warning. If 1 point/tick
remains for each session the child is on full marks.
Give the child the points for each target in a visible/tangible way at the start of
each session, e.g.
badges on a teddy
counters on his desk
ticks on the blackboard
stickers on a laminated card
The advantage of this method is that the child has a visual reminder and a
built-in warning system.
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Hints on using the behaviour programme

1.
Try to catch the pupil being good (even when its difficult!) so that
success can be achieved early on.
2.
If there is nothing good to say or if it is not appropriate to award a tick,

leave the square blank rather than including anything negative. If it is not
appropriate to say anything positive and you do not want to leave the
square blank, try to say something that suggests that this can improve
such as Tomorrow will be better or Well try again tomorrow.
3.
If the pupil has a successful day, he should be given a small reward, such
as being allowed to go on a message or collect in the books. Initially if
the pupil achieves 5 points out of a possible 10, that should be rewarded
as a successful day. As behaviour improves they could aim to achieve
more.
4.
The sheets could be punched and kept together in a ring binder that goes
home on a Friday.
5.
If three out of five days have been successes in any week, the parents
may like to give a reward at home.
6.
As the pupils needs change the target behaviours can be changed

accordingly. However, it is worth bearing in mind that continued success
on easy criteria should have a positive effect upon the childs self-esteem
and can help him get into the habit of appropriate behaviour. Be careful
not to change the goal-posts too soon.
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Sample behaviour programme for a nursery child
People involved in the programme:

****** (Nursery teacher)
****** (Nursery assistant)
****** (Mother)
All adults who have contact with ****** should be made aware of the behaviour
programme and should follow it.
Aim of behaviour programme

To reduce the frequency of ******s inappropriate behaviours by providing
consistent, positive feedback for appropriate behaviour.
In other words, we want to shift the emphasis from bad to good behaviour.
Outline of behaviour programme

As ****** is too young at this stage to understand specific behaviour targets, the
aim of the programme is for ****** to behave as directed by nursery staff during
specified activity periods (e.g. free play, outside play, story, lunch etc). Nursery
staff will facilitate this by (a) clearly stating behavioural expectations at the
beginning of each activity and (b) explaining to ****** in explicit terms what she
has done well/poorly in each activity period.
A behaviour sheet will be stamped with a smiley face for each activity where ******
behaves as expected. A target number of smiley faces will be set and ****** will
be rewarded in school and at home on a daily basis if she meets this target.
For each activity, ****** has a number of warnings. A visual reminder of the
warnings will be needed (e.g. 3 badges on her jumper). If ****** misbehaves
again during an activity, one of the badges is removed as a warning. If she
misbehaves again, a second badge is removed. If at least one badge remains at
the end of an activity, ****** receives her smiley face on the behaviour sheet.
Before ****** starts a new activity, all three badges should be returned to her
jumper.
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Ultimately it is hoped that, with constant reinforcement, ****** will learn to

recognise what behaviours are acceptable/unacceptable in the nursery
classroom situation.
Remember!
The emphasis should always be on positive reinforcement of good behaviour
(i.e. paying attention to ****** when she is being good).
Try to catch ****** being good as often as possible so that success can be
achieved early on. Praise her verbally and explicitly state the precise reason
for the praise (e.g. Good girl ******, I like it when you help me tidy up).
****** will benefit from reminders at the start of each activity such as if you sit
nicely on the carpet it will help you get a smiley face.
Ignore minor misbehaviours. Praise other children who are appropriately
engaged. Praise ****** as soon as she displays an appropriate behaviour.
If misbehaviour can be anticipated, try to distract ****** by engaging her in
another activity / asking her to help with something etc.
When misbehaviour occurs, remind ****** of what you expect from her (e.g. At
story time the rule is we all sit on the carpet).
If there is no improvement then:
Remind ****** of the consequences of her actions (e.g. that she will lose a
badge if the behaviour continues).
If there is no improvement then:
Implement the sanction swiftly and consistently (e.g. remove one badge from
her jumper).
For behaviours that are too serious to ignore, Time Out (see below) may be
used if considered appropriate. ****** must be aware of what behaviours will
result in time out and a warning system like the one outlined in the point above
should operate.
If ****** has not achieved a smiley face at the end of an activity, tell her so in a
matter-of-fact, non-emotional way that she cannot have a smiley face
because...
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If ****** has not achieved a smiley face at the end of an activity, leave the
square blank rather than including anything negative.
Rewards
****** should be rewarded every time she achieves a smiley face on her
behaviour sheet.
If possible, reward should gain ****** appropriate attention and make her feel
special (e.g. leading the line, setting the dinner table etc).
At the end of each successful day, ****** should also be rewarded at home.
****** should not receive any special treats on days when she has failed to
meet her target of smiley faces.
To sustain interest in the programme it may be necessary to change the
rewards from time to time.
Time out
Time out is based on principle of removing the child from all sources of
reinforcement for a brief period.
When a particularly unacceptable behaviour occurs and ****** has
not responded to warnings given, calmly and unemotionally say,
You cannot stay with the class if you hit, etc, you need to go to the
quiet room.
****** should remain supervised in the quiet room for a short period
of time (e.g. 3 minutes). This time only begins when she is sitting
quietly. A timer rather than a clock or watch should be used. The
adult should not talk to ****** during this time or make eye contact.
If ****** is doing something inappropriate at the end of this time,
wait for her to stop, allow a few seconds to pass and tell her,
You can join the class now ******.
If she refuses to join the class again, ignore her until she does.
Do not hold a grudge when ****** comes out of the Quiet Room,
but wait for her to display any appropriate behaviour and praise
her for it.
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If time out has been used for non-compliance, once the 3 minutes are up, you
should repeat the original command.
Teacher:
******, tidy up you puzzle.
******:
Okay.
Teacher:
Good girl, Im pleased you are tidying up; you have

made a good choice.
If ****** refuses to carry out the command then the entire sequence should be
repeated.
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Guidance notes for the target diary

General points
The target diary is used to assist the child in maintaining appropriate behaviour
in school.
Although the target diary will not effect radical change, it will hopefully act as a
tangible reminder to the child to focus on appropriate behaviour.
The target diary is not a report card in which all behaviour needs to be
recorded.
3 targets have been identified for the child to focus on. Your comments should
relate to these targets only. Any other information about the childs behaviour
should be recorded separately and passed to the childs Year Head.
Filling in the diary

If the child achieves any of their targets during your class you should
tick the appropriate box.
Try to catch the pupil being good (even when its difficult!) so that
success can be achieved early on.
Reward effort, not just achievement.
The child will benefit from reminders to behave. It works better if these
are worded positively and the child is reminded of their specific targets.
Feel free to add a positive comment if appropriate.
If nothing positive can be said or it is not appropriate to award a tick, please
leave the square / space blank rather than including anything negative.
If it is not appropriate to say anything positive and you do not want to leave
the space blank, try to say something that suggests that things can improve
such as Tomorrow will be better or Well try again tomorrow.
Build rewards into the programme at the end of a successful day or
week. Parents may also like to give a reward at home.
43
Reproduced with the agreement of the

B.E.L.B. Behaviour Support Team
Week Beginning:
8:17 pm
Class:
25/5/04
Name:
Target Diary

Page 47
44
45
You must look after this diary as it is your responsibility

You will be given a point for each target achieved in
each lesson.
In addition three extra points will be awarded each
day if all sections have been completed by your
respective teachers.
Pupil
At the end of each day the pupil should bring target

diary to you.
Please review progress and make a comment in
space provided.
3
Date:
Signed:
I will try my best to meet these targets this week

and from now on.
8:17 pm
This weeks targets:
Pupil
25/5/04
Year Head
Following a weekly meeting with their Year Head, the

pupils targets will be set and recorded on page two.
The pupil will give the target diary to you at the start
of each lesson.
At the end of the lesson we would ask you to
complete the daily target sheet.
Please tick each target met.
There is space for positive comments if desired.
Teacher

Page 48

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Other
Year Head Comment
Signed
Other
Year Head Comment
Signed
T1 T2 T3 COMMENT
Day
Initials
Day
T1 T2 T3 COMMENT
Day
Day
Initials

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46
47
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Other
Year Head Comment
Signed
Other
Year Head Comment
Signed
T1 T2 T3 COMMENT
Day
Initials
Day
T1 T2 T3 COMMENT
Day
Day
Initials

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Page 50

Friday
Thursday
Wednesday
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
8:17 pm
90
100
110
My Progress - Updated Weekly
25/5/04
Tuesday
Monday
Pupils Assessment of Progress

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48
21/6/04
11:52 am
Page 52
49
My name is
Today is
21/6/04
11:52 am
Page 53
My name is
Today is
50
51
Break
Hometime
Lunch
Lunch
Break
3
Lunch
Todays
Total
15
I will finish my work I will sit in my seat
I said...
Comment
Checked by parent
My teacher said...
8:17 pm
Break
I will be nice to
my friends
Target for today =
25/5/04
Morning
My name is
Today is

Page 54

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Appendix 6 - Useful Contacts

Belfast Education & Library Board
40 Academy Street
BELFAST
BT1 2NQ
Tel. No. (028) 9056 4033
Fax No. (028) 9056 4386
Website www.belb.org.uk
North Eastern Education &

Library Board
County Hall
182 Galgorm Road
BALLYMENA
BT42 1HN
Tel. No. (028) 2566 2558
Fax No. (028) 2566 2441
Website www.neelb.org.uk
Southern Education &

Library Board
3 Charlemont Road
The Mall
ARMAGH
BT61 9AX
Tel. No. (028) 3751 2524
Fax No. (028) 3751 2598
Website www.selb.org.uk
South Eastern Education &

Library Board
Grahamsbridge Road
Dundonald
BELFAST
BT16 2HS
Tel. No. (028) 9056 6924
Fax No. (028) 9056 6916
Website www.seelb.org.uk
Western Education &

Library Board
1 Hospital Road
OMAGH
BT79 0AW
Tel. No. (028) 8241 1411
Fax No. (028) 8241 1400
Website www.welbni.org
NI-ADD Support Centre

71 Eglantine Avenue
BELFAST
BT9 6EW
Tel. No. (028) 9020 0110
Fax No. (028) 9020 0112
Website www.ni-add.org.uk
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53
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
FOR
SCHOOLS

Adhd - A Practical Guide For Schools

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ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

ADHD Working Group

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The ADHD Working Group:

(Senior Educational Psychologist, SEELB- Co-Ordinator)

(Senior Educational Psychologist, BELB)

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Section 1: What is ADHD?

Section 2: What can be done to help?

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Section 1 - WHAT IS ADHD?

Present for more than six months;

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

How is ADHD diagnosed?

ADHD (Inattentive Type)

ADHD (Hyperactive-Impulsive Type)

ADHD (Combined Type)

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

What causes it?

Will they grow out of it?

Strengths of the child with ADHD

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

How might the child with ADHD present in class?

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

What is school like for a child with ADHD?

Schools should make

I know it is hard without

You feel left out

Not being able to write

Im not stupid, Im in the top form - if

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Controlling activity level

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Section 2 - WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP?

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The Code of Practice

Identifying specific difficulties

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Visual timetable / chunking

Brain gym & stress toy

ADHD Guide 4 Schools new