Life hacks for working with hyperactive students

Useful tips for teachers who work with children with ADHD.

Impulsive, inattentive, often running and jumping, breaking and scattering things¦ Do you think it's all about hyperactive children? Maybe, but not a fact! Not all students we think are hyperactive are actually. After all, hyperactivity is primarily a diagnosis that can only be made by a doctor. Namely - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (hereinafter - ADHD), which we wrote in more detail in the article.

We have collected useful tips for you that will help you work effectively with students with hyperactivity!

The right attitude without stereotypes

There is a tendency in the attitude of adults towards hyperactive students: irritation, anger, and sometimes pity. And indeed, any of our feelings are normal! But when working with hyperactive students, you should reject emotions.

Negative attitudes towards hyperactive children may be different, but the roots are the same. These are wrong beliefs! To change them, let's dispel the most common myths.

1. All overly active students have 

Of course no! TBG is not so common, such a diagnosis is given to a small percentage of children (from 1.5% to 5%, but some call the figure 15%!). If a student is inattentive in class or cannot sit still for a long time, this is not a diagnosis. We suggest you review your thoughts on active students: perhaps they do not have hyperactivity? Suddenly, do these children simply lack physical activity or attention?

2. Students with IDU are uneducated and prone to bullying

Ignorance and aggression have social causes: upbringing, environment, etc. And hyperactivity and lack of impulse control are caused biologically. These are the features of the functioning of the central nervous system! In children with ADHD, this manifests itself in different ways: from a certain "dreaminess" of the child to behavior that cannot be regulated. So the question is: can a raised voice and severe irritation change the biological characteristics of hyperactive children? The answer is obvious.

3. TBI - a disease

Colds and coughs can be cured, but ADHD cannot. Why? After all, this is a feature of the brain, such as autism spectrum disorders. And these features must be tolerated, because they can not be "cured". All we can do is gently correct the unwanted behavior.

4. Hyperactive students should be isolated

As with students with dyslexia or visual impairment, hyperactive students need inclusive education. Even more, numerous studies prove that individual training is contraindicated! This should be an inclusive class, adult support, etc. Hyperactive children need to socialize, adopt socially acceptable peer behavior, and learn to obey adults.

Formation of positive attitudes

Negative beliefs about hyperactive children should be replaced by positive ones. And always remember them while working! What statements can be relied on?

• Peer-to-peer. Communicate with a hyperactive child on an equal footing. Remember that a hyperactive student's behavior does not make him better or worse than others. All children are unique in their features: someone has an ADHD, and someone, for example, has red hair.
• All students, regardless of the presence of PLO, deserve special treatment. However, hyperactive children need more attention and time than students without PDO.
• Sometimes aggressive behavior protects hyperactive students to protect their personal boundaries. Like all people! You can teach students to stand up for themselves and gently insist on their own as a teacher.
•  Students, like no other, need love and care. Pay special attention to the fact that in dealing with such students you should avoid extremes, such as excessive severity or indulgence.

Force majeure action plan

Let's say you get rid of negative attitudes and gain positive beliefs about children with hyperactivity. Is that all? Of course not. It is not to be hoped that all problems will vanish in an instant. Have realistic expectations: you cannot completely control the behavior of another person, even your student. And even more so with hyperactive disorder and attention deficit! So you should always be prepared for force majeure.

By understanding the basic vector of how to properly interact with hyperactive students, many problems can be avoided. Is there a conflict situation? In this case, always try to reach an agreement and understanding. And be sure to explain why something is "impossible" for the child!

If it is not possible at once, we advise to switch attention of the child, it is desirable with quiet humor:

• Suggest another activity, exercise, etc .;
• Ask an unexpected question that is not related to the topic of the lesson.
• react unexpectedly, for example, joke, repeat student actions, etc.

Failed? Then offer the hyperactive student an alternative to what he is doing. As an example, a student constantly comments and gives instructions to other students. Then appoint him as a member or foreman of a small working group! "If you want to command, command, but you are also responsible for the group."

Can't set up a child for work in class? Try to suggest that the child do something physical, that is, instead of intellectual activity, you can turn to motor. Give the student instructions: wipe the board, hand out notebooks to friends, and so on.

Don't expect instant changes! And what to do? Clearly plan your work, do not focus on the failures of the child and rejoice in success!