ADHD Motivation

The purpose of the FBE is for me to become aware of the variety of strategies that can be used to motivate students to engage in learning activities. I have observed the types of motivational strategies used by the classroom teacher and the effect of the strategy on student behavior. The different motivational strategies described in the article Classroom motivation: Strategies for first-year teachers by Timothy Newby are, attention-focusing, relevance, and confidence building. Attention-focusing strategies are those that not only focus attention, but also sustain it by responding to the sensation-seeking needs of students. Relevance strategies emphasize answering questions that make the task seem relevant to the students’ lives. Confidence-building strategies focus on helping the students view the task as challenging but accomplishable. All three strategies mostly concentrate on a specific task indicating intrinsic motivational orientation.

shown to influence a teacher’s perception of whether or not they have ADHD. Children who are

This type of motivation is influenced heavily by rewards and external incentives. It also implies the notion that “I have to do something” in order to be compliant with what someone else wants me to do. It is a motivation that is primarily influenced by the hope of attaining tangible items such as prizes, special privileges, or money. Although Drive implies the heavy use of Motivation 2.0 by the corporate world, Pink also draws attention to the fact that schools typically operate under this mode, as well, and that it can have detrimental effects on our students and on learning, in general. Motivation 2.0 is also referred to in the book as the “Carrots and Sticks Approach”, and although it may yield positive results in the short-term, the repeated or incorrect use of extrinsic rewards can actually work against what educators are trying to achieve in terms of truly motivating their students.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common and most distressing disorders amongst school-age children, yet it is probably one of the least well understood. It has received a lot of awareness mainly because of the large numbers of children receiving drug treatment for the disorder. Where children have behavioural problems and parents are finding it hard to manage, it is expected that they will turn to teachers for guidance and help. ADHD can drastically affect children's development at school, not only their work but also their social progress and the relationships that they have with teachers and their peers. If not identified early, long-term

In providing services to the youth and the school, the issues and concerns are numerous, but, not limited to bullying, racism, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). To combat these issues and concerns, I suggest holding an open forum to educate and teach teachers, parents, students and the communities on how to cope and deal with these issues. Furthermore, engaging students with learning disabilities and ADHD in after school learning activities and rallying against the negative impact of bullying and racism can also be

“Every child’s needs are specific, and even if they share the same diagnosis as another student, that’s surely no guarantee that they will learn or relate in the same way.” (5, para. 21) In order for ADHD treatment to be effective, it must include a combination of counseling – individual or family- education, and behavioral therapy (2). A treatment plan that combines behavior management exercises and medications are the most effective interventions for ADHD children, adolescence, and teenagers, but they should always begin the treatment with behavior interventions – not medication (2;4).

ADHD is a short abbreviation for the term, Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder, which is a neurological disorder within the brain. It causes a person to lose their ability to focus, gain hyperactivity, and/or have behavioral problems. There are many reasons to talk about ADHD, but I will focus more so on children being mistakenly diagnosed, which leads to them being overly medicated. I personally have this disorder, and I absolutely hate taking the medication that come along with it every day.

When most people sit down in class they seldom think about the amount of effort that is subconsciously exerted just to focus on what is being said. Those who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD, are constantly reminded of the daunting task that is focusing. Living with ADHD is a fatiguing task, that has adverse psychological effects on those who suffer from the disorder. The inability to focus accompanies ADHD, which opens the pathway for other complications that carry a heavy burden. These complications lower self-esteem and can generate complications amongst friends and family.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that diminishes an individual’s ability to control impulsive and hyperactive behavior. ADHD is prevalent in school age children who ranges between four and seventeen years of age. Its symptoms range from fidgeting, short attention span, boredom, mood swings and hyperactivity. The study examines the relevance of the topic in educational studies as well as best pedagogical practices that should be adopted by educators to ensure that the needs of all students with ADHD are met. Also known as a highly controversial disorder because of how it should be categorized and treated. It still continues to have an enormous impact on the academic and social success of children within schools.

Children who are diagnosed with ADHD struggle with managing behavior in school environments. As research has shown, students have difficulty paying attention and can be disruptive in class. This often leads to a decline in their academics and can hurt future academic achievements. There are a number of tools, programs, contracts, and classes that are available to students with ADHD. Along with a lack of attention and an abundance of hyperactivity, “twenty to thirty percent of ADHD children have an associated learning disorder of reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic” (Daley & Birchwood, 2010). It can be difficult, as a teacher, to manage a classroom with children with ADHD. It is important that teachers, parents, and students, understand the opportunities available to them to help the child succeed.

The “better safe than sorry” mentality leads to over diagnosis in adolescent ADHD furthermore causing the concern of overprescribing of medication as treatment and “overly managing” the disorder. Approximately 4.6 million children between age 6 and 17 received a diagnosis of ADHD, and over half of them (59%) were given medication (Parens and Johnston, 2009). Some of the usual prescribed medicines to those with ADHD is that of Ritalin and Adderall – drugs that are classified in the same category as cocaine, opium, and amphetamines, all which are a schedule II controlled substance in the Drug Enforcement Agency (Pomeroy, 2013). Proponents of medication of children broadcast the evidence of effectiveness of the medication with reducing the primary symptoms of ADHD. Although these stimulants have the same reinforcing effect as cocaine, many swear by the difference instantly made by medication, hence why doctors administer the drugs after diagnosis. Others also believe that medication distribution is more economically efficient as well as time efficient because of its quick acting effects. Because doctors are faced with severe payer and clinical time constraints, many physicians diagnose ADHD following it by fast-acting medication (Connor, 2011). Therefore, as over diagnosis of ADHD increased, so has the amount of prescription to children. However, “although theories regarding the cause of these increases abound, what has not surfaced is a clear consensus on whether increases in

For Psychology of Exceptional Learners, I was given the opportunity to observe in Bishop Dunn Memorial School. This parochial school conveniently located on MSMC’s campus was a huge learning experience for me. I was able to sit in on a first grade general education class. It was a pleasure to get to watch co-teaching in action! The first day posed to be a little difficult because of not knowing which student had a disability so, I was unsure where to focus my attention. Due to FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the teacher was unable to disclose any information of which student has a disability or what disability that student faces. I was unable to see any work produce by the student, also. I was left to solely depend on my observations.

Motivation is the key to accomplishing any task. I plan to use both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The grade level of the class will determine what kinds of motivation strategies I will use. I do not believe in written work outside of class in my physical education class. Students are always bombarded with papers, problems, and reading. The occasional exit slip or written exam will be incorporated within my class, though. I want students to gain knowledge of sports, fitness, and their body. I believe that I am one of the few chances a student has to become interested in life-long activities. I want students to want to be physically active. I will show them the benefits of living an active lifestyle and try to incorporate ways that will always keep them interested in physical fitness.

It has been pointed out that students who are bored by school and "unmotivated" in the eyes of the teacher nevertheless find plenty of motivation for playing a sport. The obvious question, then, is what is motivating about a sport? Think about a group of young people in a baseball game. The very things that motivate them to work hard and do well playing baseball can be adapted to the classroom. Let's look at them:

validate this study, this article was examined with the use of another educational article Tasdiq Nomaira Alam, an educational lecturer, and researcher, known for one of the best coordinators at IIUM. Alam believes that the use of in-depth small group observations and unique classroom techniques validate the essence of not only motivating students, but certifying the leading cause as to why secondary students are motivated.