ADHD

ADHD is often associated with reduced school performance, academic attainment, low frustration tolerance, and irritability. Individuals with ADHD are more likely than their peers to become injured and are at greater risk for risky behaviours and substance misuse ( due to impulsivity).

A sustainable portion of children and adolescents with ADHD remain relatively impacted in adulthood and left untreated, symptoms of inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity remain problematic.

Many of the functional consequences of ADHD derive from the individual’s symptoms. As such, impairment can range from mild, such that few, if any symptoms in excess result in no more than minor impairments in social or academic functioning. Impairment may however range in its severe form, where the disorder is markedly affecting social, familial, and scholastic adjustment.

Your client might present with a persistent pattern of inattention and impulsivity symptoms that interfere with their daily functioning. They may often wander off task, lacks persistence, have difficulty sustaining focus, and may be disorganized.

If their an older client their symptoms of hyperactivity are confined to fidgetiness, impulsivity, feelings of restlessness, jitteriness, and impatience. They may also engage in actions without forethought and his/her impulsive behaviours may also manifest as social intrusiveness (interrupting others).

ADHD Strategies:

According to guidelines from the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) evidence-based practice indicates that a multi-modal approach is most effective for ADHD intervention including a focus on social, emotional, behavioural and academic issues.

Medications are an important aspect of treatment and assist the facilitation of changes in these areas. It will be important to provide a balance of accommodations/support and skill building.

Based ADHD Intervention

• Understanding ADHD
• Student education
• Tips for teens
• Parent strategies
• Maintaining attention, focus, and concentration
• Increase time on task and manage distractions
• Impulse control
• Avoiding careless errors
• Classroom strategies
• See subject specific resources (math, reading, writing) for ADHD recommendations

To support your client with ADHD you may wish to suggest:

• Strategies for enhancing peer relationships
• General academic accommodations 
• Executive functioning supports
• Strategies to support healthy friendships

The following handouts provide resources that may be educational for parents and teachers:

• ADHD Resources
• 101 Classroom Interventions for ADHD
• Alberta Ed. Teaching Children with ADHD
• Fidget Toys Fact Sheet
• How to implement self-monitoring in the classroom
• Week at a Glance
• How to Explain ADHD to Kids | Dr. Liz Angoff

Recommended Reading:

For more information on ADHD continuing into adulthood, the following handouts are informational: Adult ADHD Ressources & 50 Tips for Adult ADHD