So what do these findings mean for younger students and school teachers? Researchers say that nearly one million children of the 4.5 million children diagnosed with ADHD may have been misdiagnosed because of their age—not because of real behavior problems.
Researchers hope that these findings influence the way teachers evaluate children with ADHD symptoms, as well as parents’ decisions on when to start their children in kindergarten. Age cutoffs to begin school vary by state, but for most states, a child must be five by September 1 to begin kindergarten. Those students that turn five on September 2 and thereafter are said to have a developmental advantage over their younger classmates.
Misdiagnosing children with ADHD can have serious, long-lasting effects. In fifth and eighth grades, the youngest kids in class were twice as likely to use Ritalin, a stimulant commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. Ritalin, although helpful in treating ADHD, can have significant side effects and should be monitored closely by a physician. To avoid complications (physical, developmental, and social) in children misdiagnosed, researchers hope that future evaluations will also take into consideration the child’s age as well as his/her grade level.
New teaching techniques such as, The 21st Century School: Teaching Time, offers alternatives to schools and parents with hyperactive children. Keeping children engaged both physically and mentally is key with all students—but it’s extremely helpful for students that struggle with attention deficit disorders.
For teachers with ADHD children in their classroom, these tips from helpguide.org are suggested to help limit distractions.
- Seat the child with ADD/ADHD away from doors and windows. Put pets in another room or a corner while the student is working.
- Alternate seated activities with those that allow the child to move his or her body around the room. Whenever possible, incorporate physical movement into lessons. (See ISM’s The 21st Century School: Teaching Time)
- Write important information down where the child can easily read and reference it. Remind the student where the information can be found.
- Divide big assignments into smaller ones, and allow children frequent breaks.
Engaging Students: A 12-Week Course Based on the 21st Century Teaching Model
ISM is hosting a 12-week, 7-session online workshop for teachers based on the 21st Century School Series. This is an interactive online course that engages participants to share documents and information through screen sharing technologies, and then take back to their classrooms practices and theories discussed. There is nothing you have to download to your computer! This software is entirely Web-based.
