MARCH 30, 2004
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!
MESSED UP
A relatively common way ADD/ADHD students irritate teachers is to have a messy desk or locker. Below are some hints for teachers and students to help eradicate (well, at least lessen) this annoying and prevalent difficulty.
PAPERS GALORE
“Please pass your assignment to the front”.
This rather innocuous request is met with moans and groans such as:
I can’t find it.
Can I go to my locker and get it?
I did it but it’s at home.
I forgot to take it home.
Again the teacher is aggravated.
Suggestions:
Devise a system.
Numerous color-coded folders (one per subject) MAY work for the organizationally challenged child. HOWEVER, experienced teachers will probably tell you that students only need two folders.
- UNFINISHED
WORK – this folder is taken home every night EVEN IF IT IS EMPTY. It is
hoped that taking it home nightly will ensure homework actually gets home.
- ACCOMPLISHED
FOLDER -- just what it says. This folder is to be left at school.
- Each
morning as part of a daily routine, students put completed papers from the U
to the A folder. – NOTE -
the subtle labeling of the folders. U = unfinished as well as
unsatisfactory. A = accomplished as well as “A work”.
LITTLE STUFF
"Get out your red checking pen…” A teacher telling students to find a specific little item may not seem like a request that may ultimately be irksome. HOWEVER, a messy desk makes is difficult to quickly find a needed item. Frustration for student and teacher may quickly ensue.
Suggestions:
- Provide heavy duty Ziploc Baggies for students to store small items.
- Consider shoeboxes brought from home for storage of small items.
- Put the baggies in the shoebox.
- Students keep the shoebox under their chair or another HANDY location.
- Allow time for students to locate needed items. SET A TIMER FOR A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO FIND LITTLE STUFF.
PILED HIGH
Sometimes desks are entirely too full. Check the desks. Is there actually enough room for required books, notebooks, folders and such?
Suggestions:
- Keep larger books separate from desks on a shelf or in boxes.
- Allow
ample time to pick up and return books to the common area. If you don’t,
the “pile of books” will become a messy area! SET A TIMER!
24/7
Frequently, ADD/ADHD students can't keep their desks tidy for 10 minutes,
let alone a class session.
Suggestion:
- Devise a reward/punishment system. Elementary teachers frequently pick a couple of days per month and have unannounced desk check periods. Students with neat desks are rewarded others are invited to miss recess to arrange a neat desk.
- Higher-grade levels may need locker checks rather than desk checks.
- Consider appointing a Desk Manager. Periodically have this student check desks at non-academic times. Each desk is evaluated and earns an appropriate grade. I personally like U and A. If a student receives a U, he or she must forfeit non-academic time in order to straighten it up.
WORSE CASE SCENARIO
If the above strategies do not at least lesson the problem, you must “up the ante.”
- Take all items out of the desk and place them in a box far enough away from the student that she must get out of her seat to access the items. The student must make a quick trip to get only the thing she needs.
- Consider
having the messiest student become the Desk Manager! <grin>
+++++++++++++++++++++++
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Click on over and have a look!I also have a web page devoted to stand-up desks.
DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only. Much of the information is from classes and workshops I've taken AND GIVEN during my 30+ 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
Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com
