A free newsletter by BJ Madewell
DIAGNOSIS ADD ADHD Now What?
Published 10th, 20th & 30th of each month
PLEASE SEE DISCLAIMER AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT!
September 30, 2002
ADHD is often misunderstood. It is perplexing, confusing, and challenging to deal w/ a person w/ ADHD.
It can be a sticky situation when an ADHD child misbehaves.
Is the child being overtly difficult and non-compliant, seeking attention, crying wolf , or suffering from a repercussion of ADHD symptoms? It is truly difficult to tell but essential.
A parent or teacher must be sure the child is aware of the offending behavior. In conjunction w/ a discussion of the offensive behavior(s), work w/ the child to develop a name for it - such as - Troy the Turtle = working slowly >>> Mary the Messy = Messy >> Ivan the talker = Interrupter and so forth. With the child, role play situations when Troy, Mary and Ivan might appear and possible reactions from teachers/parents and peers.
It is vitally important to somehow impress upon the child that Troy, Mary and Ivan exemplify problems that YOU and all others have to deal with. Share times you work slowly, create messes and interrupt others. What the ADDer needs to realize is that these behaviors are "normal" for all people. The problem w/ the ADDer is that they tend to have Troy, Mary or Ivan control them instead of just "passing through" their day. ADDers need to develop awareness of these difficulties BEFORE they can develop or be taught strategies to deal w/ working slowly, being messy and interrupting and other harmful behaviors.
The astute or highly frustrated child has, in all probability, learned that when these behaviors "take over"-- the child is provided MORE ATTENTION. Nearly all children crave attention - any kind will do - even NEGATIVE ATTENTION. Therefore, ADDers may CRY WOLF by faking known disabilities in order to gain parental and teacher attention.
The BIG PROBLEM for adults in this situation is to differentiate if the child is faking a problem or actually suffering from the ramifications of being ADD. It is almost impossible to tell.
Go to this website for the book The Boy Who Cried Wolf
http://pbskids.org/lions/wolf/
MEDICALLY CRYING WOLF
With some students this can create BIG problems. Scores of students come to realize that if they are sick, they are allowed to get out of class, recess or some other uncomfortable situation and visit the nurse.
School nurses, in my experience, tend to be nurturing, compassionate, caring people. The child is given POSITIVE ATTENTION, one on one adult conversation, and even may get to go home.
Certainly, being sick is a situation calling for positive attention. It becomes a problem when a child overuses sickness as an escape mechanism. I would ask school nurses to keep a count of student visits and report excessive visits to the classroom teacher and the school counselor. Those students escaping by crying wolf for faked or perceived illness in all likelihood need to see the counselor.
All behaviors have a cause.
Crying wolf has a cause. It is vital that the reason be discovered and remedied. Simply restricting the visits to the nurse may alleviate paperwork for the nurse and absences from class or recess but it will not solve the child's reasons for escape.
IT'S YOUR CHOICE
Figure out why an ADDer is CRYING WOLF and strive to remedy the problem.
Discuss the ramifications often of "Crying Wolf" often!
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When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only. Much of then information is from classes and workshops I've taken during my 25+ years of working with ADD & ADHD students - sprinkled with my own comments, thoughts and insights
Some information is acquired from the INTERNET. Be aware that not all information on the WWW is accurate. Use your own judgment. This information is not intended to replace information from your doctor, therapist, lawyer, psychologist, nutritionist or psychiatrist. Consult your child's (or your own) doctor for additional input.
Editor: BJ Madewell
Wichita, KS area
316-733-9532
FAX not available
Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com
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BJ
Madewell
