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Teaching Young Children With ADHD
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Teaching Young Children With ADHD
Successful Strategies and Practical Interventions for PreK-3

Edited by:


May 2007 | 208 pages | Corwin
Though many books exist to help teachers of school-age children with ADHD, not much has been written with the early childhood educator in mind. This unique book is specifically written for preschool and early elementary educators. Its focus is not to discuss guidelines for diagnosing ADHD in young children, but to provide PreKû3 teachers with a better understanding of the disorder, how to recognize it, and how it impacts both social-emotional and educational development. Children who exhibit ADHD behaviors need early educational support to minimize learning challenges and classroom disruption. The authors present a variety of strategies for classroom adaptations (both environmental and instructional), as well as practical interventions to develop appropriate social skills, manage classroom behavior, help children with ADHD master the particularly challenging task of writing, and communicate effectively with parents. One chapter reviews what teachers should know about medications and how they affect behavior in the classroom. An extensive Resource section at the end of the book offers detailed profiles of children in preschool and primary grades diagnosed with ADHD. Though this book has been written to help children who struggle with attentional issues, teachers will find the strategies applicable for all children in their classrooms.
 
Foreword by Meredith Cathcart
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. Yes, ADHD Is a Real Disorder!
Myth or Fact?

 
Diagnostic Criteria

 
Manifestations of ADHD

 
Prevalence of ADHD

 
Recognizing and Understanding ADHD in Young Children

 
What Causes ADHD?

 
Creating an Optimal Learning Environment

 
Summary

 
 
2. Recognizing ADHD: Primary Symptoms and Common Impairments
Inattention

 
Hyperactivity

 
Impulsivity

 
Other Behaviors Often Seen in Children With ADHD

 
Impairments in Executive Functioning

 
Temperament and ADHD

 
Summary

 
 
3. Developing and Reinforcing Appropriate Social Skills
Preschool and Elementary School as the Training Ground

 
What Are Social Skills and Why Are They So Important?

 
Social-Skills Development

 
Strategies That Support Social Skill Development

 
Five Problem-Solving Areas That Challenge Children With ADHD

 
Suggestions for Reinforcing Appropriate Social Behaviors

 
Challenging Settings for Children With ADHD

 
Summary

 
 
4. Help, This Kid Is Driving Me Crazy!!: Proactive Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Supports
Developing a Personal Philosophy of Behavior Management

 
Analyzing Behavior

 
Putting the Strategies to Practice

 
Summary

 
 
5. How Do I Teach This Kid? Classroom Strategies to Support All Learners
Classroom Success Is Possible

 
Treating Children With ADHD Fairly

 
Defining the Objective of the Lesson

 
The Differentiated Classroom

 
Making Appropriate Accommodations

 
Beyond Accommodations and Interventions: The Special Education Referral

 
Learning Disabilities

 
Other Health Impaired

 
Summary

 
 
6. Why Is Writing So Hard? Specific Strategies to Develop Writing Skills
Why Writing Is So Hard

 
Teaching Early Writing

 
Analyzing Writing Tasks

 
Scaffolds for Writing Success

 
The Dreaded Book Report!

 
The Even More Dreaded Written Report

 
Summary

 
 
7. What Teachers Should Know About Medication
What Medications Are Most Commonly Used to Treat ADHD?

 
What Changes Can I Expect to See With My Students on Stimulants?

 
Do Stimulants Cure ADHD? How Do These Medicines Work?

 
How Long Does a Child With ADHD Need to Be on Medication Before It Works?

 
How Will I Know If My Student Is Over-Medicated?

 
If the Medicine Works, Does That Confirm That the Diagnosis of ADHD Is Correct?

 
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Stimulants That My Student Might Experience?

 
What Information From Teachers Is Helpful to Doctors?

 
Are Stimulants Addictive?

 
Can Stimulants Lead to Problems With Abuse of Other Drugs?

 
Are There Particular Kids Who Would Be Expected to Do Poorly on Stimulants?

 
Are There Children Who Need to be on Medication Only at School?

 
Are there Problems With Adverse Drug Interactions if a Child Is on a Stimulant?

 
I've Heard That Kids Can Become Psychotic on Stimulants. Is It True?

 
Can Stimulants Be Used by Children Younger Than Age 5?

 
My Students Used to Do Well on Ritalin, but Now It Doesn't Seem to Work. What's Going On?

 
Are There Any Good Natural Remedies Available for Treating ADHD?

 
One of My Students Is on Prozac. Is This Commonly Used in Young Children With ADHD?

 
Do Medications Help Learning Disabilities?

 
One of My Students Is Very Defiant and Oppositional. Will Medications Help With This?

 
Summary

 
 
8. Communicating Effectively With Parents
Parents: The Most Important Resource

 
Respect and Acknowledge the Challenges Parents Face

 
Criticism Is the Least Effective Form for Change

 
ADHD as an "Excuse"

 
Helping Parents Separate Enabling From Supportive Decisions

 
When It Seems a Child Might Have ADHD

 
When Parents Don't Disclose That Their Child Is Taking Medication

 
Regular Communication Is Critical

 
Summary

 
 
9. Taking Care of Yourself
Recognizing the Signs of Stress

 
Suggested Ways to Lower Stress

 
 
Resource A: Recognizing ADHD in Preschool and Primary Grades: Real Profiles
 
Resource B: Other Disorders Sometimes Associated With ADHD
 
Resource C: Childhood Disorders and Conditions That Can Mimic ADHD in Young Children
 
Resource D: Recommended Books for Teachers
 
Resource E: Useful Web Sites
 
References
 
Index

"Well written, easy to read, and comprehensive in scope. The advice, strategies, and vignettes are all excellent."

Sandra F. Rief
Author of How to Reach & Teach Children With ADD/ADHD and The ADHD Book of Lists

"This is the most complete and definitive book on the topic. A must-read for every educator and administrator."

Carol S. Reynolds, Principal
Frostproof Elementary School, FL

"From interventions and ideas for helping kids with ADHD learn to tips for understanding medications, this pairs profiles of kids with ADHD with tested solutions teachers can use throughout the analysis, intervention, and educational process."

California Bookwatch, June 2008
Midwest Book Review

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412941600
£24.99