Some questions about teaching an ADD kid again?

Question

Well

I posted a question for some guides for teaching my ADD student couple of days ago

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkRJsmvehftEg0qIktCJU5fty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080629222923AA5R3Z3

Ok so the thing is, I started my first class today

I tried to do like

"If you're doing good on bla bla or u can try to go thru the questions by yourself, we can spend some time palying some games or so"

at first it worked well

but after an hour he'd be like

"I just don't want to write these, these are so annoying and I donno how to do it, u know what? I just dont care about the games or so, if I won't be able to play game by being bad, then dont play games I dont care"

..................

I was kind of loosing patience...

I found if I could teach him something not from the book

or teach him by my own schedule

hed be good

he just doesnt seem to like the textbooks and test sheets

But my agencys kinda forcing me to teach him a lot from the book and they made me a schedule

that kids gonna hate me

Answer 1

Ok.

Put yourself in the kid's shoes!

As someone with ADHD myself, I know that this child is not choosing to act out these behaviors.  He does not want to have ADD, he just does.

The biggest thing that helps with ADD children is HONESTY.  Tell him flat out, that you'd "rather work with him on your own schedule, and not have to use the book, but you don't have a choice.  Sometimes in life we don't have choices.  Like you don't have a choice in being here, working with me.  So let's make the best of this."

Then see what input HE can give you.  Maybe he'll have some ideas as to what might help.  Maybe start with a game, then work, then end with a game.  Note that adults have an attention span of 20 minutes.  Children's attention span is much much shorter...

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi there,

Much empathy - I have a cousin with ADD.

The trick is to be really calm and patient, because your mood will wear off on them.  And if you lose your temper, he will know - and then none of you will win.

Be more specific with your rule.

"You have to finish 5 questions before you can play.  If you don't finish your questions, you have to go in the corner. Ill help you with the questions"

That way he understands everything completely.

Or try other rewards.

"Lets do this question. Just one. And then you can have a lolly. Okay, so.."

If you pressure him into doing the work, and explain the consequences, it will hopefully help.

The curious incident of the dog in the nighttime by mark hodden is a great book and may help understand add kids as well.

Can you teach him both - textbooks and games?  Combine the two.

The kids not going to hate you - thats bad thinking.

Hang in there.  It will work x