ADHD/ADD is a childhood disorder, though it can be diagnosed in adults, which results in impulsive behaviors and difficulty focusing on the task at hand. Signs of signs of inattention in children include making careless mistakes, not paying attention when spoken to, difficulty staying on task, losing items, and easily distracted. Symptoms of hyperactivity include fidgeting, leaving his/her seat without permission excessively, restlessness, cannot play quietly, and talking unremittingly. Symptoms of impulsivity are comprised of blurting out answers, problems taking turns, and interrupting others. These symptoms occur in both home and school. Children with ADHD are often at risk for learning disorders as well. In addition, children with ADHD often have social problems and trouble making friends. ADHD can be stressful on the family as well, since more time and attention are used in parenting.

Treatment for ADHD/ADD often combines behavior modification therapy with the use of medications. Behavioral modification therapy uses methods to change an individual's behavior. For example, rewards may be given for completing chores or doing homework. Often the child keeps record at school and at home, and brings home daily report cards from school. Traditionally stimulants have been used to treat ADHD/ADD. However newer medications have been developed that do not contain the use of stimulants.

Tips for Managing ADHD in the Classroom

1. Provide Structure: children with these types of problems do best with routines and rules. Also make sure the consequences of not following these are clear.

2. Set Clear Expectations: make sure kids understand what they have to do. Directions may have to be given more than once and in many forms.

3. Give One-Step Directions: doing this makes things easier to understand for kids who are easily distracted. It also lowers kids' frustration level.

4. Get Ready for Transitions: since kids with ADHD do well with routines, interruptions can be difficult. Give warning about upcoming changes to make them easier.

5. Change the Environment: the environment can benefit you. Do not have clutter. Keep kids with ADHD seated in the front. Have few interruptions. Some kids may need to be seated in a smaller room to avoid distractions.

6. Make Cues: making a private cue allows the student to know when he/she is off focus without notifying the rest of the class.

7. Use Proximity: standing close to a student also allows the student to know that he/she is distracted without telling the rest of the class.

8. Streamline Things: kids with ADHD are not good at organizing. Providing simple organization systems will help them feel more successful.

9. Give Praise: giving praise builds confidence which helps kids do better.

10. Manage Behaviors: make simple behavior plans with easy goals. Have the students be involved in making these plans. Too many goals will be frustrating to the student.