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Managing ADHD in the classroom

This is an issue to be addressed at a local level where multiples are only part of a larger plan. As ADHD is being increasingly recognised, then each region of each state or country (in some cases each school) is developing its own policies and these cannot obviously all be covered here. There are some basic questions all multiple-birth parents should ask in such a situation:

(i) what is the school policy for children recognised with ADHD? The following are some essential "survival" tips for the teacher and the class.

Strategies for the Classroom

• sit the child close to the teacher, away from distractions
• workload and attention span should coincide
• keep the work periods short but frequent, helping the children to be aware of time so that they can pace their work
• provide clear instructions, but avoid too many sequential instructions
• if the child goes off task, redirect them in a positive and unobtrusive way
• make sure they succeed at something in class
• prompt their attention and also their inhibition-"stop, think act"
• clear guidelines on finishing work-taking it home if it is not finished is not the answer-it just penalises the ADHD child further

(ii) how will the school respond to the fact that one or more of my multiples has a problem with ADHD? There are still schools that maintain ADHD "does not exist" or is "just an excuse". The whole family and not just the multiple(s) with ADHD may get a poor hearing in such a school.

(iii) can we take ADHD into account in deciding whether our multiples will be separated? There is no way that simply separating multiples into different classes will help the one(s) with ADHD. But issues of self-esteem may make it better for all multiples irrespective of ADHD to remain in the same class.

"Andrew was so upset, when they suggested he should move. It is not so much being moved from Sean (his twin). His ADHD makes it difficult for him to get and keep friends, and having Sean around helps. With the two of them, a lot of the kids like Sean and so accept Andrew. We can't imagine Andrew in a new class with no friends. It is like he is being punished for having ADHD".

On the other hand, ADHD behaviours may be so embarrassing, it may be better for unaffected multiple(s) to be apart from those with ADHD. ADHD is a "disability" and many of the issue addressed in the section on families with a disabled multiple apply.