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UNDERSTANDING ADD/ADHD (Part 3)

In fact, the arts and sciences are filled with people who probably had/have ADD in some form. Albert Einstein is perhaps the most famous. It is important to stress the strengths of the ADD mind to increase the individual's positive self-concepts. Hypnosis is ideal for improving self-esteem and increasing self-management, especially in older children, adolescents and adults. The factors of inattention, impulsivity and lack of focus are greatly benefited by the use of hypnosis. The school and the school environment is a major factor for ADD/ADHD individuals. It often becomes a problem and children develop a history of school failure. ADD/ADHD children do not respond to this same system of rewards and punishments that work for other children. They often become classroom problems and this creates issues of lowered self- esteem. These children need structure, consistency, and definite routines with time allotted to blow off steam. Schools can: 1. Modify classroom 2. Intensify services and create a resource lab 3. Do a self-contained classroom Unfortunately, all of these strategies require money and schools often feel they're quite short of cash. Since ADD/ADHD children require specialized ways of learning, schools seem to be encouraging medication as a way of controlling symptoms instead of designing education programs that work for the children.

In fact, the arts and sciences are filled with people who probably had/have ADD in some form. Albert Einstein is perhaps the most famous. It is important to stress the strengths of the ADD mind to increase the individuals’ positive self-concepts. Hypnosis is ideal for improving self-esteem and increasing self-management, especially in older children, adolescents and adults. The factors of inattention, impulsivity, and lack of focus are greatly benefited by the use of hypnosis.

The school and the school environment is a major factor for ADD/ADHD individuals. It often becomes a problem and children develop a history of school failure. ADD/ADHD children do not respond to this same system of rewards and punishments that work for other children. They often become classroom problems and this creates issues of lowered self- esteem. These children need structure, consistency, and definite routines with time allotted to blow off steam.

Schools can:

  1. Modify classroom
  2. Intensify services and create a resource lab
  3. Do a self-contained classroom

Unfortunately, all of these strategies require money and schools often feel they’re quite short of cash. Since ADD/ADHD children require specialized ways of learning, schools seem to be encouraging medication as a way of controlling symptoms instead of designing educational programs that work for the children.

All ADD children have specialized learning requirements:

  1. Structure: Free time creates anxiety.
  2. Routine: They need time to blow off steam, but predictable routines create greater balance.
  3. Communication: It needs to be very specific, one concept at that time. Too many options create confusion. The communication needs to be short, concise and to the point.
  4. Self-management skills: Training in how to handle themselves in different situations.

These are effectively done through mental rehearsals in trance as well as group games and social interaction. In the coordinated effort to ensure success in the lives of children with ADD, the vital importance of the teacher’s role in the overall treatment planning of the child cannot be overestimated. According to Denis Cantwell M.D.; Anything else is a drop in the bucket when you compare it to the time spent in school; Experts generally agree that teachers are the key to effectively treating ADD.

Here are some suggestions to follow when working with ADD in your classroom:

  1. Increase your understanding of the child by learning as much as you can about him or her and about ADD and general. Adopt a positive, professional, “work together” attitude with the child’s parents. Schedule conferences frequently and during these conferences emphasize the child’s success and improvements while continuing to work together on mutually agreed-upon goals.
  2. Provide a structured classroom environment by having clearly established rules that are consistently enforced. Hyperactive children need more powerful reinforcements and consequences to manage their behaviour. The use of assertive discipline and behaviour modification strategies to assist the student in paying closer attention and completing a signed work is greatly favoured.
  3. Set the child up for success and not a failure by supervising the child’s work with greater frequency and frequently complimenting the child for on-task behaviour. Try to ignore minor, non-disruptive misbehaviour and reinforce other children’s efforts for not attending to the other child’s ADD misbehaviour.
  4. Encourage! Encourage! Encourage! Notice positive behaviour and reinforce the child immediately and frequently.
  5. Maintain realistic expectations and modify assignments as needed. Assignments may have to be shortened to accommodate the ADD student’s individual needs.
  6. Become an integral and involved part of the child’s treatment team.
  7. Refer to the child’s parents to a local support group.

In working with all forms of ADD, the use of hypnotherapy is perfect to develop self-management skills as well as improving self-esteem and social skills. Whether it is with children, adolescents and/or adults it is very beneficial to improve all of the self-concepts of the ADD/ADHD individuals.

To Read Part One Click Here

To Read Part Two Click Here

When choosing a hypnotherapist, it is important to be sure that he or she is qualified. Pierre Benoit, CHt, RCCH, is a member of the Association of Registered Clinical Hypnotherapists of Canada (ARCH) and of the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association (IMDHA) and can be reached at (514)675-4457.