3 Aug, 2007
Behavior Management for ADHD
Posted by teacherjulie @ 12:02 am
Shelved under ADHD, behavior modification, Being a (Special Ed) Teacher, special education

There are a lot of behavior techniques that are often used with children who have ADHD. But there are two basic principles that should be remembered:

  1. Through encouraging good behavior with different rewards, be it consumable, favored activity, preferred activity, and/or praises like positive words, a hug or an acknowledgment, positive behavior is encouraged.
  2. The occurrence of consequences for behavior that are considered negative should be allowed.

Positive behavior is exhibited when there are rewards and praises at the end of the task being expected of them. These need not be always material rewards. One can make a chart to record behavior and there are corresponding reward at the completion of these tasks. Rewards may be extra time in the playground, or being allowed to read a favorite book or being allowed extra library time.

For a behavior that is exhibited as negative, there are corresponding consequences. How? Shortened recess period for the child. Additional seat work maybe.

So how would these children know which behaviors are positive and which are negative?

  • By making a chart of what they and you, as a parent or as a teacher gauge as such.
  • Establish a system for this so they know what to expect.
  • Be consistent in your routine and structure.
  • Have an open communication with the child.
  • Set expectations and be able to explain the why and the how. This applies to more mature children.
  • Be consistent and fair.
  • Above all, be a role model for good behavior because children can pick up the bits and pieces of our self without us knowing. Be good examples and they would understand why they need to show good behavior too.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 3rd, 2007 at 12:02 am and is filed under ADHD, behavior modification, Being a (Special Ed) Teacher, special education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Permalink | 2 Comments
3 Aug, 2007 @ 11:43 pm
Paula said:

I love your suggestions. Sometimes my son is so impulsive it’s hard not to get frustrated. We’ve been working on him slowing down and paying attention to what he is doing. It’s a long process.

He does well with visual cues. We’ve set up a “chore” list on the fridge which also includes routine care items. Each day he is to mark off what he does. He has been responding positively. At the end of the week, he gets a star for trying even if not every day is filled in. It has only been one week since starting this new system. I hope that it’ll keep working.

  • They do need visual cues to be able to remember what to do. I always tell the parents of my students to post on walls schedule of activities so that time is managed well. Some medical practitioners resort to giving the medication which I don’t particularly agree with. If behavior management is done early on consistently and adhered to by everyone, then there is no need to resort to medications.

11 Jan, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
teacherjulie.com » ADHD and Parenting said:

[...] Alongside these rules, progress as well as accomplishment charts are also useful. These would enable to make the child see how he/she is performing as per goals set and agreed upon. These would also mean the anticipation of a reward, be it intrinsic or otherwise, upon the accomplishment of goals set for him/her. With these progress and accomplishment charts, focus on new target behaviors can also be started and improved upon later on. [...]

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