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Strategies for Working With Kids With Add

Children who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, struggle with a number of classroom obstacles. As a result, the most efficient process for teaching ADD children is slightly different from methods traditionally used with other students. Unlocking the mind of a child with ADD is possible when you find the right key. Using strategies to make allowances for, or neutralize, the effects of ADD aids professionals working with kids who have ADD.

  1. Stick to a Predicatable Schedule

    • Children with ADD generally do not respond well to the unexpected. It is important to stick to a consistent and predictable schedule when working with an ADD child. The disorder causes anxiety when something unfamiliar occurs, whereas a child without the disorder might be intrigued or pleasantly surprised. Keep a clock close by and set a timer for activities. When the child knows what is expected right now and what is going to be expected next, his anxiety level will diminish and he will be able to concentrate on the task at hand.

    Adjust the Task to the Child

    • Pay attention to the child. Children in traditional classes are expected to perform tasks on demand, and generally are able to adjust quickly. Children with ADD have times during the day when they are more receptive, and times when, no matter what you try, they will resist. When working with an ADD child, be aware of the child's best and worst times to try new things or to absorb more complex information. If you can see that the child is getting agitated or becoming upset or getting off track, use methods for reducing stress and getting the child back on track, rather than trying to pursue a lesson.

    Methods for Getting on Track

    • Methods for getting an ADD kid back on track include relaxation techniques and interactive exercises. Children in traditional classes are expected to sit quietly in their seats and observe. For an ADD child, this method of instruction falls short of her needs. Play some relaxing music and dim the lights to help an ADD child center herself. Get the child out of her seat and use visual techniques, such as experimentation or broadly illustrated, hands-on exercises for the explanation of material. Learn a physical method of relaxation to try with the child. Martial arts, yoga or even a stretching and breathing program can help an ADD child settle down and focus.

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