| Kids with ADHD are frequently not engaged in what is | | | | traits would be beneficial for all children but is especially |
| going on in the classroom. Some parents report that | | | | helpful for children who learn in a non-traditional |
| this is because their ADHD child is gifted and/or bored. | | | | manner. Most importantly, a school with these |
| Not all ADHD children are gifted and not all ADHD | | | | characteristics is a place where a child with ADHD can |
| children are bored. Most ADHD children are simply not | | | | learn and academically thrive. |
| at all interested or attending to what everyone else is | | | | Great Schools: |
| engaged in. | | | | Know the child as an individual. |
| Many children with ADHD do not find what their | | | | Have teachers who teach the child not the classroom. |
| classmates and teachers are discussing relevant to | | | | Consider parents to be co-workers. |
| their immediate life. They are living in the moment and | | | | Respect students. |
| are often thinking about something else. The trick to | | | | Welcome parents in the classroom. |
| teaching children with ADHD is to keep them attending | | | | Make learning engaging. |
| to their learning. These children must be engaged and | | | | Make learning active. |
| involved or their attention will stray. | | | | Make learning fun. |
| So what kind of school works for children with | | | | Have teachers who model a passion for learning. |
| ADHD? I think that a school with teachers who | | | | Help kids find their Islands of Competence |
| understand the symptoms of all the subtypes of | | | | Realize that a child's cannot learn if the child's social life |
| ADHD is the key. All children with ADHD type will rebel | | | | at school is amiss. |
| and tune out at the 'blah, blah, blah' of a traditional | | | | Teach kids both social skills and academic skills. |
| classroom. If they are smart enough, they will squeak | | | | Encourage students to pursue whatever passions |
| by academically but they will not thrive academically. A | | | | they may have. |
| teacher that finds a way to involve and engage these | | | | Expose children to Nature. |
| kids is the key to their academic success. | | | | Exposed children to great art, great music, great |
| A great teacher can make a huge difference in the | | | | literature, and great theatre. |
| school life of a child with ADHD but a school that is | | | | Great school and great teachers find a way to make |
| committed to teaching all children, no matter how they | | | | kids with ADHD part of the learning process. It is |
| learn, is even more important. What makes a great | | | | imperative that parents of children with ADHD find |
| school? Many things. I have compiled a list of the | | | | schools for their children where they may realize their |
| characteristics of a great school. A school with these | | | | full potential. |