ADHD: So Much More Than Not Sitting Still

So very often, we associate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with impulsivity and hyperactivity, especially in children. However, ADHD can impact multiple aspects of one’s life. ADHD can carry the stigma that a child is “bad,” due to significant behaviors. ADHD in the classroom can present itself without a display of negative behavioral issues or hyperactivity.

A child who has ADHD can struggle to begin or start assignments. This can be for a multitude of reasons. Staying on task or maintaining focus can be difficult. Students can become easily distracted by a class going to lunch in the hallway, the second hand clicking on the clock, or even the crayon shavings inside their desk. ADHD causes a lower brain arousal for individuals. Decreased brain arousal makes the rate of distractibility increase. One’s own thoughts can often be a distraction.

It can appear that a student is being defiant because they refuse to follow directions. However, your student isn’t necessarily making the conscious decision to be defiant or insubordinate. ADHD causes a decrease in executive functioning skills, which can lead to a student not remembering the directions provided, becoming distracted and losing focus on the directive, or processing the directive slower, appearing to be ignoring the directions provided.

A typical classroom setting can be difficult for a child with ADHD. The expectation to sit in a chair behind a desk, in a traditional sitting pattern with one’s feet on the floor may be unachievable for some students. Some students with ADHD not only feel a compulsion to constantly move but also have difficulty sitting or standing. Focus and productivity can be greater when we allow students to work on the floor or listen to music while they work.

Students with ADHD will often have a messy desk, book bag, or locker while at school, as well as a messy room at home. Executive functioning deficiencies cause difficulties with organization. Though a child with ADHD may often appear to be lazy, it is the struggle with skills such as being organized or the ability to clean-up that is caused by an impaired working memory. This is the same reason that students have difficulty completing and turning in their homework. Parents and teachers alike struggle to comprehend how you might complete a homework assignment but never turn it in. It’s the cognitive effects of ADHD that cause students to appear lazy or to appear to have a lack of caring about their schoolwork.

There are many ways that both home and school can support students who have ADHD. Though there is no “cure” for ADHD, and it appears differently through the stages of an individual's life, advocating for support and accommodations for your child at school is essential. Their success depends on it!

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Dr. St. Croix, founder and Senior Principal Consultant of Scolastico Educational Consulting Firm, is a leader in the field of special education and inclusive practices. With extensive experience in policy, behavior management, and staff training, Dr. St. Croix works as a strategic partner who provides tailored solutions to help organizations meet the needs of students with disabilities. Dr. St. Croix works closely with school districts, healthcare providers, and parent clients to ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed in inclusive, accessible environments.