How are teachers and

hamsters similar?

ADHD?

Dr. Daniel Amen

AD/HD or
Learned Helplessness?

Neurobiological Disorder
ADHD

 Average age of onset is 7 years old

Lasts at least 6 months

Poor attention skills?

Impulsive?
Hyperactive?

 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

is a neurobiological disorder.
Typically children with AD/HD have
developmentally inappropriate behavior,
including:
poor attention skills
impulsivity
hyperactivity.
These characteristics arise in early childhood,
typically before age 7, are chronic, and last
at least 6 months. Children with AD/HD may
also experience problems in the areas of social
skills and self esteem.

void Information Overloa

Source: http://ada.ky.gov/adhd_def.htm (Kentuckys Office for the Americans with Disability Act)

In School-Age Children You See

Rush into tasks but dont finish them

Demand attention from adults
Unable to delay gratification
Moody
Often in trouble with other adults
Feel they are different
Disorganized, often lost
Feel they are dumb
Sometimes aggressive, defiant behavior

Source:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attentiondeficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml

Stimulant
s

 ADHD's causes are still being determined, but they are

likely genetic. A link has been found between ADHD and
faulty regulation of dopamine, a brain neurotransmitter
regulating movement and emotional response.
Low dopamine activity may cause undiagnosed ADHD
sufferers to self-medicate, first with sugar in childhood,
then with caffeine, cigarettes or cocaine whatever
helps them focus.
Stimulants such as Concerta and Adderall keep dopamine
in the brain synapses longer, but these pills can be
addictive. Strattera takes a slightly different approach:
preventing the reuptake of norepinephrine, another
neurotransmitter in the brain.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=89899&page=2#.UdXYu7SfJo

Dopamine

 Dopamine can be enhanced by positive

predictions.

Three Types of ADHD

Predominantly Inattentive Type
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
Combined Type

Establish Routines

Increase Feedback

Peripherals
Post visuals on side walls of
the classroom above eye level.
Post affirmations such as:
I am a bright and capable learner.
Learning is fun and easy.
Every problem offers a gift.

Use appropriate wall space to

organize material on bulletin
boards.

Peripherals

68
72
Jensen, E. (2003)

Temperature
Relaxation (70-72 degrees)
Alertness (68-70 degrees)
Extremely warm temperatures can increase
anxiety or aggressiveness in people with panic
disorder or AD/HD.

Jensen, E. (2003)

Plants
A single plant can increase productivity in 100
square feet of space.
Best plants:

Palms
Dracaena
Rubber Plants
English Ivy
Ficus
Boston Ferns
Spider Plants

Jensen, E. (2003)

Gross Motor Activity

Learned Helplessness is the

failure to avoid or escape from an
unpleasant or aversive stimulus that
occurs as a result of previous
exposure to unavoidable painful
stimuli.

Learned Helplessness
Its the why bother?
The EXPECTATION of failure
interferes with learning and
achievement.

Common Household Items

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Refrigerator
Toaster
Can Opener
Lamp
Frying Pan
Spatula
Laundry Soap
Toilet Paper
Vacuum
Radio

11. Television
12. Bed
13. Couch
14. Diamonds
15. Maid
16. Washing Machine
17. Dishwasher
18. Pencil
19. Microwave
20. Chocolate

Add Another List

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Sun
I See
Triangle
Stove
Starfish
Sticks
7-UP
Snowman
Line
Hen

11. Fence
12. Eggs
13. Black Cat
14. Love
15. 15 Minutes of Fame
16. Drive
17. Magazine
18. Vote
19. Remote
20. 20/20 Vision

Did You Know?

46% of people are visual learners
19% of people are auditory learners
35% of people are kinesthetic learners

VAK

Activities and Movement

Procedural memory is one of the most
lasting forms. Learning by doing seems
to last forever. That may be because it
triggers glucose and engages far more
neurons than cognitive tasks.

Richards, et al., 2003

Iowa
Nebraska
Illinois

Kansas

Missouri

Kentucky
Oklahoma
Arkansas

Tennessee

Preamble
Union
People
We the People of the United States, in
order to form a moreDomestic
perfect Union,
Justice
establish
justice, insure
domestic
Tranquility
tranquility, provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure the
General
blessings
of
liberty
to
ourselves
and our
Defense
posterity, do ordain andWelfare
establish this
constitution for the United States of
America.

Liberty

Posterity

Manage Information Flow

Common Household Items

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Refrigerator
Toaster
Can Opener
Lamp
Frying Pan
Spatula
Laundry Soap
Toilet Paper
Vacuum
Radio

11. Television
12. Bed
13. Couch
14. Diamonds
15. Maid
16. Washing Machine
17. Dishwasher
18. Pencil
19. Microwave
20. Chocolate

Add Another List

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Sun
I See
Triangle
Stove
Starfish
Sticks
7-UP
Snowman
Line
Hen

11. Fence
12. Eggs
13. Black Cat
14. Love
15. 15 Minutes of Fame
16. Drive
17. Magazine
18. Vote
19. Remote
20. 20/20 Vision

Neurobiological Disorder
ADHD

 Typically arise before age 7

Last at least 6 months

Poor attention skills?

Impulsive?
Hyperactive?