Frequently Asked Questions About Attention Deficit Disorder
At Barnstable Academy we often get asked many questions about students with ADHD, the following should help provide our perspective and allow you to understand why our environment is perfectly tailored to these students.
What is attention deficit disorder (ADD)?
Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) represents a very common disorder with a wide variety of behaviors. Because the symptoms of the disorder are all changes in behavior, because of the wide variety of methods for making a diagnosis, and because of the lack of objective medical tests to make the diagnosis, ADHD is a controversial disorder that is often debated. Nevertheless, it is one of the most researched problems in pediatric medicine and the research is quite clear. ADHD is a medical and neurological condition with a strong genetic basis, which occurs relatively frequently in both children and adults. While positive aspects of ADHD are frequently discussed (creativity, outgoing nature, etc.), ADHD can be very disabling in a culture that places a premium on organization and the ability to plan and anticipate the future.
(Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are essentially the same disorder.)
"Overall, ADHD is one of the best researched disorders in medicine and the overall data on its validity are far more compelling than for many medical conditions." Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association, 1998
Children with ADHD often exhibit most (but rarely all) of the following behaviors:
Executive Dysfunction
- Has difficulty developing or following a plan for schoolwork or other activities
- Organizing books, schedules, locker
- Memory
- Recognizing salience (important vs. unimportant)
Impulsivity
- Blurts out answers before questions has been completed
- Has difficulty awaiting turn
- Does things without considering the consequences
- Interrupts or intrudes on others (i.e., butts into conversations or games, or talks out of turn)
Attention
- Does not attend to detail
- Trouble listening
- Difficulty following directions
- Makes careless mistakes
- Difficulty maintaining attention for longer periods of time
- Does not finish what is started
- Reluctant to do challenging tasks requiring prolonged mental effort (like schoolwork, homework, or chores)
- Loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, or books)
- Easily distracted
Activity
- Fidgets or squirms in seat
- Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected (for example, mealtimes)
- Runs about or climbs excessively when she/he knows she/he should not
- Has difficulty playing quietly
- Talks a lot
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How does ADHD affect a child in school?
It is not difficult to understand how these behaviors would be frustrating for both a teacher and a student. Most traditional classrooms are not setup to teach a child how to develop better attention and organization. Rather, when a teacher does address these behaviors, it is usually in a critical way, bringing negative attention to the child. Eventually, such frequent criticism has a significant impact on self-esteem.
The eventual result of this cycle is a lack of motivation. Many children work extra hard to overcome their ADHD. They might require four hours to finish a project, while another child needs only two. But they often seem to be able to marshal their internal resources to rise to the occasion.
However, this level of motivation is difficult to maintain. After years of criticism from teachers and after putting out Herculean efforts to overcome their difficulty with organization and staying on task, children with ADHD can maintain that effort for only so long. As the work gets harder and the academic demands greater, they are more likely to give up. One child said, "No matter how hard I try, I keep doing the wrong thing."
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Why is Barnstable Academy a good place for children with ADHD?
The academic program at Barnstable Academy has a 30-year history of educating children who learn differently. Our experienced teaching staff fosters a nurturing and safe environment for all students. Our unique educational approach to learning differences, such as dyslexia, ADD and ADHD is designed to help students achieve success and build the necessary confidence and background to continue their success as they move on to a college or university setting. With an average class size of 10 students, we’re able to offer each student individual attention and better opportunities to be successful not only with their academic achievements, but also in the school’s social setting.
If you’re interested in hearing more about what our college preparatory day school has to offer your student with ADHD, please click here to request more information.
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