An estimated one-third of children with learning disabilities also have ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)—difficulty in regulating attention, i.e. paying attention as needed and shifting attention to another task when required. Children with ADHD may be inattentive or "spacy," or they may be hyperactive and impulsive. These children may have significant difficulty in school because they don’t have ready access to the persistent mental effort required for the rote learning of facts, figures and procedural rules—a substantial part of the standard school curriculum.
Children with ADHD tend to be interested in the broad view, the big picture. They function best when engaging with a real problem in which they can search for relevance and meaning, rather than grappling with isolated bits of information such as dates, facts, definitions and math rules. In addition to allowing for physical activity in the learning process, it is important to appeal to a student’s interests and strengths.
Reprinted with the permission of Smart Kids with LD. © Smart Kids with LD, Inc., Westport, Connecticut. All rights reserved.
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