Sandra F. Rief, MA, has completed a revised guide to her 1997 book, The ADD/ADHD Checklist.

According to a Dec. 7 BusinessWire press release, The ADD/ADHD Checklist: A Practical Reference for Parents and Teachers, 2nd Edition "helps parents and teachers to better understand children and teenagers with attention problems and provide the kind of support and intervention that is crucial to kids’ success. Presented in a concise, easy-to-read checklist format, the book is packed with practical advice and information."

Key topics include in the revised edition include the difference between ADD, ADHD and AD/HD; behavioral characteristics of ADHD; ADHD look-alikes; positive and effective discipline, and; homework tips for parents.

Labels: parenting, teachers

Dr. Richard Zakreski, Ph.D. will host a webinar (an internet-based seminar) on ADHD today (Wednesday, October 28). Dr. Zakreski has been practicing for 25 years, and specializes in treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurochemical disorders, including ADHD.

A release posted on the website pr.com described the webinar as "a must-see presentation for parents and teachers." The webinar will address the symptoms, causes and impact of ADHD on the lives of children and adolescents at home, at school and with their peers. Effective treatments – both environmental and pharmacological – will also be discussed.

There is no charge to participate in the online event, which is scheduled for 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), but participants must register at NJCTS.org.

Labels: parents, teachers, webinar

At the start of a new school year, some parents whose children have been diagnosed with ADHD consider keeping the diagnosis to themselves. Rather than informing the child’s teacher, they keep quiet, not wanting to label their child.

In an Aug. 23 article on about.com, ADHD expert Keath Low advises against withholding this important information:

Communication ... is key. Your child’s teacher needs to know about any issues that can impair his learning, social situations and general school life. The teachers need to know about your child’s interests and strengths, too. Your collaboration and open rapport with the teacher is vital. ...

As this new school year begins (or even before it does), talk with your child’s teacher about the ADHD. Share about the strategies that worked in his previous school - as well as those strategies that did not.

"Don’t withhold information in hopes this year will be a better one," Low wrote. "Be proactive. Establish a trusting and open relationship early on."

Labels: parenting, schools, teachers

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder researcher Chris Dendy recently traveled to Saudi Arabia to provide teachers there with training and insight in working with students who have ADHD. She was joined by her sister, Dr. Billie Abney, and son, Alex.

"The three family members spent five days overseas to train 50 English-speaking teachers, under the sponsorship of Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, the Saudi ambassador to England. The training was held at the Tuwaiq Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh."

During their visit, they also received awards of appreciation for providing the training. ADHD rates in Saudi Arabia are nearly double what they are in the United States. Source: Walker County Messenger (GA)

Labels: teachers, training

In Lincolnshire, England, a support group says it has the resources to train teachers on working with students who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but that the resources are not being fully utilized.

"Project leader Sharon O'Dell said: 'A lot of schools have had us in but it's only a drop in the ocean when you think of all the schools in Lincolnshire. Just training one or two teaching assistants is not going to address the problem.'"

Her comments echo those heard from teachers across the UK who feel that there's no real strategy for training teachers about the best techniques for teaching students who have ADHD. Source: The Lincolnshire (UK) Echo

Labels: schools, teachers

A study of teachers in the United Kingdom found that nearly two-thirds struggle to understand and manage Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in their students. Few have been adequately trained.

"Unfortunately, only 35 percent of teachers had received any training in understanding or managing ADHD behavior. This is despite teachers playing a vital role in helping to diagnose and manage ADHD."

One positive is that teachers who had received training often partnered well with parents, suggesting that more training could easily improve the learning environment for students with ADHD. Source: Psych Central

Labels: classrooms, students, teachers

It's that time of year. Kids are getting ready to go back to school and parents are getting ready to send them. For kids with ADD/ADHD, the transition back to school can be tough, so ADDitude magazine if offering a free back-to-school handbook.

"In this free expert booklet, ADDitude magazine has assembled its best academic resources including a back-to-school checklist for parents, a sample letter introducing your child to new teachers, daytime medication guidelines, and learning strategies for students with attention-deficit disorder and learning disabilities."

The 14-page booklet provides tips for working with teachers and administrators, managing ADHD symptoms in the classroom, and talking to your child about his goals, fears, and challenges for the upcoming school year. Source: PR Newswire

Labels: schools, teachers, tips

Your child's teacher calls you one afternoon and says she thinks your child has ADHD. He's disruptive, fidgety, and can't focus, and she thinks you need to get him some help. What do you do?

"ADD or ADHD are terms that have now become generalized to mean children who misbehave. I would like to make it clear that not all children who have ADHD behave badly nor do all children who misbehave have ADHD. There are specific criteria... that must be met in order for a diagnosis of ADHD to be concluded."

Instead of relying only on a doctor's diagnosis, insist on a multidisciplinary approach that includes assessments by a doctor, psychologist, counselor, and possibly someone at your child's school. This type of assessment is more likely to produce an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment (if needed) for your child. Source: The American Chronicle

Labels: diagnosis, support, teachers

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the United Kingdom recently reviewed referrals and outcomes of children who were referred by teachers for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder observation. The study was designed to determine the accuracy of teacher-based ADHD identification.

"Between November 2006 and October 2007, 52 children were referred to CAMHS with ADHD-like symptoms. Enough concern was raised of 14 children to warrant school observation. Of these, only five were diagnosed with ADHD..."

Researchers are unsure why ADHD is being overestimated by teachers, but suggested that more resources be made available to enable teachers to more accurately identify the symptoms related to the disorder. Source: PsychCentral

Labels: classrooms, diagnosis, teachers

Dartmouth social worker Jennifer Marszalek is one of only nine practitioners in Massachusetts who teaches parents about the "Nurtured Heart Approach" to working with ADD/ADHD children. The approach is based on minimizing punishment and emphasizing positive behavior.

"Impossible as it may seem at first glance, the nurtured heart approach insists that adults avoid 'energizing the moment' when a child is acting negatively, and reserve that reinforcement for circumstances when the child is behaving well. 'It's really a skill to find what's working well. The whole trick is creating success, not waiting for it to happen.'"

Mrs. Marszalek will offer this and other programs throughout the summer at the Summer Institute. Source: South Coast Today

Learn about boarding schools for Aspergers Syndrome children at AspergersBoardingSchools.com.

Labels: behavior, parents, teachers

The strategy is called SLANT and was developed by researchers at Kansas University. It was initially developed for special needs children, but researchers have since discovered that it works best with ADD or ADHD students.

"In the SLANT strategy, the S stands for 'Sit up straight', the L stands for 'Lean Forward', the A stands for 'Activate your thinking', the N stands for 'Note key idea' (littler ones, 'Nod and smile' works better), the T stands for 'Track the talker'."

Teachers can create posters to place around the room, or even note cards that can be taped to students' desks. Then, when a student is not paying attention, all the teacher has to say is "SLANT" or "everyone needs to SLANT". The students know what it means and are reminded to sit up straight and pay attention.

BoardingSchoolsInfo.com offers a list of the best learning disability boarding schools for kids with ADHD, NVLD, and other learning disorders.

Labels: education, learning_disabilites, teachers

A special education teacher in Manhattan has developed a unique way of teaching her kids to pay attention. A pre-recorded chime is played four times during her class, and students with attention problems are asked to record - on a scale of 0 to 4 - how much they were paying attention when the chime sounded.

"The students average and compile these results from their 'Attention Monitoring Check Sheets' monthly, graph their attention spans, and set goals for the next month."

The Manhattan teacher has seen excellent results from this practice. Students become aware of the times when they're more likely to be distracted, and they have a visual representation of their improvement.

Some private boarding schools cater to special needs students in ways that public schools just aren't able to. Learn about private schools for learning disabilities at BoardingSchoolsInfo.com.

Labels: attention, classrooms, teachers

A child with ADHD spends as much time in the classroom as any other child, so his teacher's ability to interact well and teach effectively is vital. This article from David Blitz gives tips for teachers who have ADHD students.

"The first step in being successful in teaching an ADHD student is being able to develop with him/her a good rapport and a positive relationship. Like with any other student, the ADHD student is more likely to respond to you positively and you are more likely to be able to help them reach their true academic potential if your interaction with them is in a positive and non-judgmental manner."

Other tips include using positive reinforcement, creating a good learning environment, and breaking down lessons into smaller segments that are easier for an ADHD child to understand.

Need a good ADHD boarding school? Find one at Boarding Schools Info.com.

Labels: classrooms, schools, teachers

This unusual title conveys the most basic feeling that many young people have who are diagnosed with ADHD. The book was written by Lisa-Ann Ray-Byers, and follows the main character - Nicholas - who's been diagnosed with ADHD.

"Ray-Byers, a speech-language pathologist, wrote the book to inspire empathy in parents, teachers, administrators, and even psychological and neurological specialists. She also strived to demonstrate the thoughts and feelings behind many of the behaviors exhibited by children who have ADHD and to put into words what most young children can not."

Ray-Byers not only has a son with ADHD, but was diagnosed with ADHD herself when she was a child. Most of the book's content is drawn from her and her son's own experiences. Read more online.

Some of the best boaridng schools can help children with ADHD in ways that public schools can't. Find the best boarding schools at BoardingSchoolsInfo.com.

Labels: empathy, students, teachers

Marshall Zaun says that he was an ADHD kid before the disorder was ever recognized, diagnosed, or treated. Now 38-years old, Zaun not only managed to graduate from high school, but he graduated valedictorian. He went on to become a teacher, and was recently named the Lancaster (California) School District's Teacher of the Year.

"The son of a school nurse and a car designer, Zaun entered a regular high school but after a month switched to Silverado Continuation High School in Mission Viejo because of poor attendance... and because his mother thought it better to try a different route."

He credits his high school English teacher as being the one who "reached him" and influenced him to become a teacher, despite his ADHD. Read more at DailyNews.com.

Asperger's Syndrome in Children and Teens is considered a form of high-functioning autism. Learn more at YourLittleProfessor.com.

Labels: influences, schools, teachers

In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Thames Elementary school has launched its first "transitional first-grade" classroom. The classroom is made up of just a few students, and is intended to help children with ADHD and other behavioral or learning challenges develop the skills they need to transition into first-grade.

"Teacher Candace Hill's class is smaller, which means more one-on-one time. And lessons are tailored to each individual child. Some students go to a first-grade classroom for lessons, to ease the transition into second grade."

The parents of all 11 children in this first class agree that it's the best place for their children. Read more at ClarionLedger.com.

Labels: education, schools, teachers