Often learners neglect school work or disrupt the class, not because they do not care, but because they struggle to focus or understand the material. Often leaders pegged as unruly or undisciplined struggle with a learning disability or ADHD. There are many different types of learning disabilities. Some have very distinct symptoms, others are much less obvious. But many learning disabilities go undetected or are mistaken for misbehavior. Once educators identify these symptoms, they can help the child function and learn in the classroom.
Below is a description of different learning disorders, a list of symptoms, and recommendations on how to address each one.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Information about ADHD
- Usually begins before age 7
- Must be a real hindrance in child’s functioning
- Who can diagnose: doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, social worker
- How is it determined:
- School and medical records checked
- Monitoring child’s behavior
- Asking teachers and parents for input - Symptoms consistently present—over months or years
Three types of ADHD
1. Inattentive
2. Hyperactive
3. Impulsive
This type of ADHD is more difficult to identify because a child may appear to be paying attention even though they are not.
- Easily distracted
- Careless errors
- Rarely able to complete a project
- Difficulty following directions or forget large parts of the directions
- Constantly daydreaming
- Spacey
- Slow moving
- Lack of energy
- Constantly moving, running around room
- Figgeting in seat, with hands/feet/face/etc.
- Difficulty restraining emotions
- Constantly talking out
- Difficulty taking turns or waiting in line
- Choose small instant payoff instead of greater, long-term payoff
- Easily distracted
Some of the causes of ADHD:
1. Environment
- Mothers smoked or drank while pregnant
- High levels of lead in body (paint in old buildings)
2. Brain Injury
3. Diet: high levels of refined sugar or food additives
4. Heretibly: 25% of adults in a ADHD child’s family also have ADHD
Teaching a child with ADHD:
- Create classroom activities where child can move around
- Give child tasks to get them involved and to take breaks (pass out papers, wash board, carry notes to the office, collect supplies, etc.)
- Change tone of voice to redirect their attention
- Have learners clap or sing a song when you want them to pay attention
- Use hand motions and body gestures to attract and keep child focused
- Use creative, interactive, and varying methods of teaching
- Use teaching methods that involve multiple senses for learning
*Sometimes children display ADHD-type syptoms. But these behaviors can also be caused by events in the child’s life such as:
- family issues: death, divorce, unemployment
- seizures
- anxiety or depression
- learning disability