Red Flags In The Classroom Essay

Red Flags in the Classroom: Attention Disorders Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly referred to as ADHD, is one of the most frequent brain disorders found in children and adolescents. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines ADHD as “an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.” The prevalence of children with ADHD in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past decade. In 2003, around 7.8% of US children aged 4-7 had been diagnosed with ADHD at one point in their lives. By 2011, less than a decade later, 11% of US children had been diagnosed with the disorder; an overall 42% increase between 2003 and 2011. ADHD can make it extremely difficult for children to concentrate and excel in highly structured and regulated environments. The primary area of concern for children with ADHD is the classroom. For children with ADHD, school can be a difficult atmosphere to navigate. Even in early elementary school, children are expected to sit still, focus, pay attention to the teacher, follow rules, and other things that may be difficult for a child with an attention disorder. A child with an attention disorder such as ADHD or Attention Deficiency Disorder (ADD) will

Children who display symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are much more likely to talk over other people, or blurt out the answers to questions at inappropriate times. Although symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity may be more obvious than symptoms of inattention, they are more likely to be brushed off as simply “kids being kids.” Behaviors such as fidgeting and speaking out of turn are very common, especially among young children, however a child with an attention disorder will display these behaviors more often and more intensely than the typical child