One of the most significant things I’ve found when teaching students with ADHD is that they must perceive that you like them and enjoy having them in your class!
ADHD students are very perceptive and also extremely sensitive. They can easily determine who is for them and who is not. If they sense that a teacher does not like them or finds them annoying, this will motivate them to be exactly that.
I have witnessed this too many times to count over my 30 year teaching career. Students with ADHD seem to pick and choose who they will behave for; for some teachers they are engaged in their learning and behave appropriately, whilst for other teachers their behaviour is unruly and they go out of their way to make life difficult for the teacher. Why is this the case?
Put simply, students with ADHD respond or react to the way they are treated. Don’t we all! So, if you want your ADHDers to demonstrate positive behaviours in your class then ‘fake it till you make it!’
Essentially, as soon as you identify the students in your class who might be disruptive and distracted, go out of your way to make sure that you form a connection with them. Ask them what they do on the weekend, ask them about their hobbies and sports, and generally show a great deal of interest in them. This lets them know you like them and value them as a person. Take the time to get to know them and say g’day or have a chat to them when you see them in the schoolyard. Before long you won’t need to fake it because you will, in fact, really like them! No longer will you feel intimidated by their behaviour but you will feel like you have ‘flicked the switch’ and overcome the ‘problem’. To be honest, this is exactly why I’m so passionate about teaching ADHDers. I love the feeling I get when I know I made a difference for these kids and that I’ve been successful at helping them to behave more appropriately in my classroom. That feeling is actually the release of dopamine in my brain; more about that in a future post 😊
So, as you encounter your ADHDers in your classroom this week, can I encourage you to get to know them. Take the time to really understand what makes them tick. Ask and find out who they really are when they’re not being forced to sit still and quiet in a classroom.
I look forward to hearing your stories so please let me know how you go!
Blessings,
Fiona xx