Attention Deficit Disorder
If medication exists that helps cut down on distractions and attention problems, shouldn't students with ADHD be required to take that medication? Why should we provide accommodations if they aren't doing their part?
I think it should be the student's choice in taking their medication, however, I do feel as though, accommodations should be limited if student's are not doing their part to help themselves. Say for instance, if medication will help the students to remain calm and focus more and the student decides not to take it, then I don't think teachers should feel obligated to make accommodations for them as far as testing and assignments are concerned.
The medication is way over-prescribed and some parents rely on it too much. When my youngest son began kindergarten and we were there for open house, the principal commented on how active he was. She asked if I thought he needed to be on medication. I was absolutely shocked at her question. We were there only a few minutes when she said this!
I had a student with ADD and the medications did not help him. The only way that he could even pass a test was to actually sit with him and read the questions. If the questions were read to him he got them correct if he read them he got it wrong. All it took was a little extra time with him.And it didnt bother the other students.
From my experience, people in general who are diagnosed with ADD have a tendency to use the disorder as a crutch. They rely heavily on family members for support, don't apply themselves and do not take the medications that would enable them to perform better.
There also seems to be a lot of people who seem to suffer from the symptoms of just being lazy, but are diagnosed with ADD.
Brandon,
Great example Brandon. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah Smoger
I currently have an adult student with ADD. He has been in several classes with me. This term I noticed a change in his project progress to the point where I had to ask him about what was keeping him back with getting his work done in a more timely manner. He said he was not on his ADD meds. I reminded him about how much better his work was when he was on his meds and how he was much more timely with his work. He did not have insurance so he did not have money to get his meds. After talking through his options, he approached his father for assistance with purchasing his meds. He clearly was able to see how much better off he was when taking his meds. I'm hoping to see more progress in the next two weeks now that he is back on his meds. An open honest dialog with the student seemed to be a good course of action in this case.
Meds do not work for all, it's not a "pill and chill" fix. I think it has been stated that in some cases the medication can cause side affects that are worse then the original problem.
sheretta ,
If you have someone in your class who is continuously disrupting the learning environment for other students, you should let your institution's conduct policy take over.
Sarah Smoger
Cynthia,
Thanks for sharing. One thing that I've recognized over the years, is that different strategies work for different people.
Sarah Smoger
Cheronda,
We can't force anyone to take their meds. Perhaps they haven't found on that works well or has significant negative side effects??
Sarah Smoger
Cheronda,
We can't force anyone to take their meds. Perhaps they haven't found on that works well or has significant negative side effects??
Sarah Smoger
if the students requires to take daily medicine to minimize his/hers learning disability I agree with that solution if is not necessary to take daily medicine the student need to get more attention from their instructors or professors, if I have that issue with someone and my class room I will put some effort to help and accommodate a better learning environment for them
i agree, how can we accomadate if they dont want to take their medication?
If the instructor is trained to handle such of an issue in class then the medications will not be a problem; however if the person has uncontrollable behavior issue then medication should be concered.
Mindfulness and cognitive behavior therapy have been proven to be successful treatment modalities in treating ADHD with out medications. As a child I was given meds for being ADHD and did better in school when I didn't take them. As an adult learner simply being challenged kept me interested and focused.
Requiring it is tricky but we have to make sure that everyone is involved in the decision - parents, doctors and students. I used to be a summer camp director and I cannot tell you the number of times that the parent decided to drop the medication when they went to camp for a week. By about day 3 we were ready to send the child home because they could not control themselves. This is an ongoing discussion and sometimes the ADA officer may need to have a conversation asking if the person might want to consider taking the medications again. This should not be a teacher only conversation.
I am an Instructor and I have ADHD and OCD. The meds mad me feel funky as I was really diag with it in my 30's. I was the quite one in school and struggled with school and staying focused on the task at hand. I have my normal job and then my self job as I have to keep the class running and when in lecture it is a conscience effort to keep to the plan as I can be distracted and take them a long way around a short hill. So when I come across this I can relate to a lot of disabilities students my have. Its just like everyone does not look at the same picture in the same light and so I adapt to the point they see it in the light they are looking at it!
As an instructor who has been diagnosed with ADD. I find that meds are not always the best case to help problems I face. I have had coaching that helps me to determine my best course of action. it is up to me to set up and use some of my tools that allow better time management that meds will not change.
Wayne,
The campuses I work with also have programs of study where inattention can cause serious physical injury. If we see an issue, or a pattern forming with a particular student, then we make sure to address it and consider options on how the student can remain safe.
Sarah Smoger
