Re: ADD/ADHD Kids
Elizabeth A. Stiles (estiles@PACIFIER.COM)
Sun, 20 Nov 1994 17:40:42 -0800
Went to a class at Powwow/Potlatch on Saturday. Three of all things was a
class on kids with ADD/ADHD. Came home with some good information. The
class was lead by an Adult who just 5months ago found out that he was a
ADD adult. Told us all the story about how as an Adult he never heald a
job longer the 27 months. Never fired, but got board with the job. The
following is a copy of a hand out that I though everyone would be
interested in.
AN ADD CHILD'S BILL OF RIGHTS
"Help me to focus" Please teach me through my sense of "touch." I need
"hands-on" and body movement.
"I need to know what comes next" Please give me a structured environment
where there is a dependable routine. Give me advanced warning if there
will be changes.
"Wait for me. I'm still thinking" Please allow me to go at my own pace.
If I rush, I get confussed and upset.
"I'm stuck, I can't do it" Please offer me options for the
problem-solving. I need to know the detours when the road is blocked.
"Is it right? I need to know NOW!" Please give me rich and immediate
feedback on how I'm doing.
"I didn't forget, I didn't 'hear' it in the first place." Please give me
directions one step at a time and ask me to say back what I think you said.
"I didn't know I WASN'T in my seat!' Please remind me to stop, think, and
act.
"Am I almost done now?" Please give me short work periods with short term
goals.
"What?" Please don't say "already told you that". Tell me again in
different words. Give me a signal. Draw me a symbol.
"I know, it's ALL wrong isn't it?" Please give me praise for partial
success. Reward me for self-improvement, not just for perfection.
"But, why do I always get yelled at?" Please catch me doing something
right and praise me for my specific positive behavior. Remind me (and
yourself) about my good points, when I'm having a bad day.
c 1991, Ruth Harris, Northwest Reading Clinic
Got this from one of the handouts in class. For those of you who
sometimes lack for the right guidence to give your child's teacher there
is real wisdom in this list and for those of us who need for ourself more
understanding.
I felt really good about what this class was trying to teach those who
don't live with our kids.
Liz Stiles
estiles@pacifier.com
got that warm feeling all over..... ;)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
