By: Emily Shwake

In ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom, author and director of The American institute for Learning and Human Development, Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D., highlights the lack of valuable scientific alternatives for ADD and ADHD children and provides what he believe to be the best contributions to the field. If you have a niece or nephew with ADD or ADHD, here are a few concepts from his book to keep in mind.

Is Your Niece or Nephew Smart in Different Ways?

Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence identifies eight different levels of intelligence: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. Some students may be more inclined toward some “intelligences” than others. For example, they might trail off when you are speaking but be able to pay attention to a book for hours at a time.

If your niece or nephew has a difficult time focusing on their homework assignments, try supplementing the material with tools that activate their interests. This could mean making up a song to memorize information instead of using flashcards, performing an interview (interpersonal) rather than reading a book, or acting out a character rather than being asked to list a character’s traits.

Try using “attention-grabbing” techniques. Some teachers use body language like rubbing a tummy when it’s time for lunch. You can make up your own bodily codes with your niece or nephew to communicate your plans.

Does Fidgeting Help them Learn?

ADD/ADHD students are typically fidgety. This isn’t something they need to learn to control. Rather, they need to have the space to move or fidget so that they can pay attention to what you are saying rather than their overstimulation. If you are studying with your niece or nephew, allow them to dance, jump, or pace when you are working with them. You can even incorporate movement into their learn.

-- Print out vocabulary words and ask them to jump on the one you are describing
-- Role-play history lessons
-- Learning addition by counting their paces.

But What if They Can’t Fidget?

There are some classrooms that might not allow your niece or nephew to move around. You can teach him or her to use “progressive relaxation” by telling them to flex and relax different muscles. Deep breathing or visualizing physical activity can help them discharge some of that energy as well. Armstrong also recommends looking into yoga, visualization, or meditation to help them refocus their attention. One Harvard study showed that when kids labeled ADD or ADHD were asked to focus on a sound for a few minutes each day, they were less distracted and were more capable of maintaining their attention.

Photo: Blend Images
Published: July 27, 2015