ADHD- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

2 types of ADHD

1. Inattention

2. Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity

9 symptoms of Inattention

1. Fails to give close attention to detail/makes careless mistakes

2. Difficulty sustaining attention

3. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

4. Often does not follow through on instructions (starts tasks and is easily side tracked)

5. Difficulty organizing tasks and activities

6. Avoids/ dislikes tasks that require sustained effort

7. Lose things necessary for tasks/activities

8. Easily distracted

9. Forgetful in daily activities

9 symptoms of Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity

1. Fidgets or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat

2. Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected

3. Often runs or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate

4. Unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly

5. Is often “on the go“ acting as if “driven by a motor”

6. Often talks excessively

7. Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed

8. Has difficulty waiting their turn

9. Often interrupts or intrudes others

3 criteria’s for diagnosing

1. Persistent (should have shown symptoms for more than 6 months)

2. Pervasive (evidence of symptoms/behaviour in more than one setting)

3. Impairing (impairment in exec functioning & has evidence in childhood)

Executive dysfunction examples

1. Focusing too much on just one thing

2. Being easily distractible

3. Daydreaming or “spacing out“ when you shouldn’t be

4. Struggling to switch between tasks

5. Problems with impulse control

6. Trouble starting difficult or boring tasks

Inhibitory Control

The ability to control one’s
attention, behaviour, thoughts, and emotions to
override a strong internal predisposition or external lure,
allowing one to act appropriately according to the
situation

Working Memory

The capacity to hold and manipulate information in mind over short periods

Cognitive Flexibility

The ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts, or to adjust to changing demands, rules, or perspectives

Inhibitory Control in people with ADHD

Individuals with ADHD often struggle
with impulse control, making it difficult to resist distractions, interrupting tasks, or acting on impulse without considering the consequences.

Working memory in people with ADHD

Many people with ADHD have difficulty
holding and processing information in their minds, which can affect their ability to follow multi-step instructions, organize tasks, or remember details, especially over short periods

Cognitive Flexibility in people with ADHD

ADHD can also impair the ability to
switch between tasks or adapt to new situations or changing rules. This inflexibility can result in challenges with adjusting plans or managing transitions smoothly

Sample Recommendations- Elementary

Seating away from distractions Prompts to help the student maintain attention on task Noise-cancelling headphones Provide additional reinforcement of orally provided instructions Allowing opportunities to move, including use of a wiggle cushion, body breaks, and fidget toys Organization coaching Stop time breaks for tests and assessments

Sample Recommendations- Secondary

Seating away from distractions and the provision of prompts to help the student maintain attention on task Access to a distraction-reduced environment for tests and examinations Note-taking assistance (peer notes and/or use of a recording device) Encourage use of agenda to aid with time management Provide organization coaching Allowing opportunities to move, including use of a wiggle cushion, body breaks, and fidget toys Stop time breaks for tests and assessments

Sample Recommendations: Post-secondary

Preferential seating Note-taking support (typically use of a Smart Pen) Support from a Learning Strategist/ Academic Coach to learn and implement effective study skills and work habits Access to a distraction-reduced environment for tests and examinations

ADHD is the laking of ___________

attentional control

Underlying issue with ADHD

challenges in exec functions and inhibitory control

• inhibiting emotional response (hiding)- hard for people with ADHD (can’t hide or act on emotion)

• behavioural tendancy associated with strong feelings

Tests for ADHD

Conners

WIAT- III

WISC-V