Inattentive ADD
Inattentive ADD is defined by the National Resource Center on AD/HD as, "serious inattention problems, but not much problem with hyperactivity/impulsive symptoms".
Under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a certain criteria that permits an individual for eligibility:
"Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:
Under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a certain criteria that permits an individual for eligibility:
"Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:
Here is a short video of what our students in the classroom who are struggling with ADHD or ADD may be feeling, hearing, or seeing while they are being asked to work on an assignment. |
Causes: |
Fact or Myth: |
The causes are unknown, however research shows that genetics does play a key role. Studies of twins show a link between genes and ADHD. Some other possible causes include:
An article, Halloween and ADHD, explained that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not support the myth that sugar causes hyperactivity. It further explains that, "other studies have shown that the hyperactivity often seen in children at parties and social events is actually due to the excitement from the environment, not the food" (Halloween and ADHD, 2015). Symptoms:
Statistics:In 2007, 7.2% of US children and 6.5% of children in Minnesota had current ADHD.
In 2011, 8.8% of US children and 9.7% of children in Minnesota had current ADHD. 5.1 million children (4-17 years) have a current diagnosis of ADHD. The average age of current ADHD diagnosis was 6.2 years. 3.5 million children take medication for ADHD. Boys are more than twice as likely than girls to have ADHD. On average, there are 1 to 3 children who have ADHD in every classroom (class of 30 students). 25% of students with ADHD have other serious learning problems, such as: listening skills, reading comprehension, math, or oral expression. 50% of children with ADHD also have sleep problems (The Statistics of ADHD, 2015). Accommodations/Modifications:1. The students are to hand in their math packets at the end of the day. A student with ADD is allowed to hand in his/her packet the following morning (Accommodation).
2. While making a seating chart, the teacher will be sure to have the student with ADD seating towards the front, near the board, and also by a student who is a good classroom role model (Accommodation). 3. The class is expected to finish a three page assignment. The teacher will give the student with ADD one page at a time, in order to break apart the long assignment (Accommodation). 4. The teacher will give clear, concise directions, but also have a written plan for the student. The teacher will be sure to make eye contact with the student during instruction and repeat many times (Accommodation). 5. The student has a quiet area where he/she can go to do work when the teacher feels he/she is becoming distracted (Accommodation). 6. The student will only be graded off of 10 problems on the math assessment, while the rest of the class will have 20 problems (Modification). 7. The teacher will highlight or underline main parts or characters in a story to help the student with his/her understanding during a test (Modification). |
Here are some common myths about Attention Deficit Disorder:
"Myth #1: All kids with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive. Fact: Some children with ADD/ADHD are hyperactive, but many others with attention problems are not. Children with ADD/ADHD who are inattentive, but not overly active, may appear to be spacey and unmotivated. The video below gives a better understanding between the two. Myth #2: Kids with ADD/ADHD could behave better if they wanted to.
Fact: Children with ADD/ADHD may do their best to be good, but still be unable to sit still, stay quiet, or pay attention. They may appear disobedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re acting out on purpose. Myth #3: Kids will eventually grow out of ADD/ADHD. Fact: ADD/ADHD often continues into adulthood, so don’t wait for your child to outgrow the problem. Treatment can help your child learn to manage and minimize the symptoms. Myth #4: Medication is the best treatment option for ADD/ADHD. Fact: Medication is often prescribed for attention deficit disorder, but it might not be the best option for your child. Effective treatment for ADD/ADHD also includes education, behavior therapy, support at home and school, exercise, and proper nutrition" (ADD/ADHD in Children). Scenario:1. A student in your class has inattentive behaviors but is not on medications. The teacher gives directions and tells students to begin. The student looks around and copies what his/her neighbors start to do. When the students hand in their work, you see that his/her work is not finished and does not have the correct answers. You ask him/her what happened. He/she says, "I didn't know what we were doing." You re-explain and highlight the directions. You have him/her repeat the directions back to you. You allow the student extra time to fix his/her mistakes and check up on him/her many times in between.
2. It is the beginning of the fourth quarter. You feel that most of your students have a great understanding of the daily schedule. The students go to the bathroom and then quietly go to their specials class (which is under a rotation pattern). However, your student with ADD comes into the classroom while the rest of the class is heading to music. He/she says, "I forgot where we go today." You bring the student up with you to the calendar. You have him/her point out to the day and let him/her see where he/she needs to be. During their specials, you decide to print out a schedule, one for each day in a different color. At the beginning of the day, you will give him/her the calendar that they are on. Children's Books:Quinn, P. & Stern, J. (2012) Putting on the Brakes Activity Book for Kids.
Roberts, B. (2010) The Adventures of Phoebe Flower: Stories of a Girl with ADHD. Sornson, B. (2013). Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy. Love and Logic Parent Sources:Amen, D. (n.d.). Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program that Allows You to See and Heal the 7 Types of ADD.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Retrieved from: http://www.add.org/ Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Retrieved from: http://www.chadd.org/ Kutscher, M. & Moran, M. (2009). Organizing the Disorganized Child: Simple Strategies to Succeed in School. Sears, W. & Thompson, L. (n.d.). The A.D.D. Book: New Understandings, New Approaches to Parenting Your Child. |
Webpage Resources:
- ADD / ADHD in Children. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/attention-deficit-disorder-adhd-in-children.htm
- ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type. (2004). Retrieved from http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/what/wwk8
- Amen, D. (n.d.). Heaing ADD: The Breakthrough Program that Allows You to See and Heal the 7 Types of ADD.
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association. Retrieved from: http://www.add.org/
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Retrieved from: http://www.chadd.org/
- Halloween and ADHD. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.insideadhd.org/article.aspx?id=1014
- Kutscher, M. & Moran, M. (2009). Organizing the Disorganized Child: Simple Strategies to Succeed in School.
- Quinn, P. & Stern, J. (2012) Putting on the Brakes Activity Book for Kids.
- Roberts, B. (2010) The Adventures of Phoebe Flower: Stories of a Girl with ADHD.
- Sears, W. & Thompson, L. (n.d.). The A.D.D. Book: New Understandings, New Approaches to Parenting Your Child.
- Sornson, B.(2013). Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy. Love and Logic.
- Symptoms of ADHD in Children, Teenagers, and Adults. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/tc/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-symptoms
- Symptoms and Causes. (2015). Retrieved from: http://www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD/Parents-Caregivers-of-Children-with-ADHD/Symptoms-and-Causes.aspx
- Symptoms and Diagnosis. (2014, September 29). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html
- The Statistics of ADHD. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/623.html
By: Sarah Fischenich