Comments on: Hyperactivity as a Means of Concentration: A New Understanding of ADHD

By: Betsy Davenport, PhD

Betsy Davenport, PhD — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:16:08 +0000

This study verifies what many of us have intuited. It is very difficult – and often impossible, if one’s brain will not control itself in the usual ways, to conform to the expectations of the culture, which includes schools.

It is painful for people with AD/HD to be unable to harness their intellect and bring it to bear on whatever task is at hand. The fact that AD/HD is a contextual problem — that is, factors external to the person dictate how symptomatic the person will be — makes it difficult for many teachers, parents and others to “believe” it, to understand it and to be willing to make some rudimentary accommodations to permit people (kids and adults, both) to function as effectively as they might, were the conditions more propitious.

By: maggie

maggie — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:59:05 +0000

I agree that schools should update their system to allow children with ADHD to use their hyper activity to focus but also in a way that doesn’t interfere with other children’s concentration

By: RaiulBaztepo

RaiulBaztepo — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:09:35 +0000

Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language ;)
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo

By: tecumseh

tecumseh — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:25:52 +0000

“What is diseased is not the schools but people.”

Maureen, I couldnt disagree more. When we pathologize children and ignore the sickness in our institutions, we make our institutions more important than our souls, and we create children full of self-doubt, good at obeying orders but terrible at thinking for themselves.

Almost everyone loathes going to school. It’s an obligation, rarely a joy. Why do we subject our children to such torment? Why are schools based on the same model used by GERMAN FACTORIES in the 19th century?!?! Why can’t we “educate” children in a way that respects their natrual inclinations, instead of forcing them to behave like automotons? Whom does that benefit, other than the corporate managers waiting to put us to work when we mature?

Our educational system hasnt been truly revamped since its inception in the 1800’s! Teachers are overworked, children are compelled to act like servants, and our society’s intelligence is rapidly declining.

Our children in their natural state are fine; it’s the schools that are sick. We should create systems that meet human needs, instead of trying to force humans to meet the needs of our systems!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:57:49 +0000

I think the issue is letting children with ADHD stay focussed through hyper-activity. What is diseased is not the schools but people. Education is a fabric that makes a man!! whether we like it or not.

By: TECUMSEH

TECUMSEH — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:14:52 +0000

I think the problem is deeper than has been so far discussed here. Schools are not designed to meet the needs of children or create lifetime learners; they are designed to create obedient people with a modicum of intelligence who can work on a schedule, regurgitate information, carry out assigned tasks, and solve minor cognitive problems with little reward. In other words, they’re designed to create employees for the capitalist machine.

As long as we subject children to this environment – “learning” at desks, being forced to stay on task and sit still, rote memorization, obedience to strangers, following arbitrary rules, performing on command, lacking choice about what subjects to pursue, and suppressing their natural tendencies to run, play, talk, investigate, follow their desires, interact spontaneously, etc. – we will produce miserable, rebellious, confused youths, ADHD or not.

Schools reflect our society’s soul, and it is dis-eased.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:37:12 +0000

I was diagnosed with ADD in high school and never had medication but it just caused my parents to ride my behind even more. I never did well in school, never liked classes, only the hanging out with friends aspect. i know now that if I have kids of my own one day and they are diagnosed with this then I am going to try everything under the sun to make sure that they learn and do well despite the diagnosis. I never really had the ability to concentrate, or when I did I would over focus which is just as bad, and I do not want my own kids to have such a miserable school experience as I did as a result of this and not ever being given the skills to cope with it.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:23:58 +0000

Betty, I do think you have a point. Bigger kids and teenagers would be more understanding and will be able to get used to it in a while. Smaller children, especially upto the age 7 or 8 would definitely find this not only distracting, but might carry the behaviour home as they tend to copy each other a lot at this age.

By: hannah

hannah — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:38:20 +0000

I’m glad to see someone is addressing the characteristics of children with ADHD. My son has ADHD and that is how he deals and copes, by fidgeting, moving around and such. I do have to watch what i feed him, and he seems to do very well in school

By: Kara

Kara — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:36:52 +0000

I think Amy said it best.. Let the kids be who they are and try to find other ways, if possible, to treat ADHD or any other illness with other methods. If kids can learn better and do better by being active, let them.

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:32:37 +0000

Kids are given too many meds anyway. Why not try something else? If it makes a difference to allow them to move around while in the classroom and raises the level at which they can perform then why not give them the chance to do that? There are just too many people, educators included, who think that there is only one way to learn and that this is all that will do. That is just not true! there are multiple learning styles out there and we have to do our best to teach to them all. Is it hard? Of course. But it is in the best interests of kids anywhere to recognize these differences and find a way to play to them all.

By: Sammantha

Sammantha — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:17:13 +0000

I think if pacing and walking back and forth helps these children do their school work, it should be allowed. Each child is different and if it works, I see no problem with it.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:22:41 +0000

I can see where Betty is coming from. I bet many children would be distracted, but i also wander if the other children would become used to this after awhile.

By: Betty

Betty — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:46:11 +0000

This is great but we do have to look closely at what kind of classroom environment this will create for other children as well. Maybe a learner like this can thrive at home, but what about the anxiety that this could cause to others in the same classroom? What if there are students in there who need stillness and quiet in order to do their best? Is what they need going to be overlooked for the sake of one child’s need to move? How on earth is a teacher supposed to do what he or she needs to do to help all of the syudents learn when faced with these types of disruptive behaviors?

By: Kylie

Kylie — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:21:08 +0000

I always used to wonder why my nephew paced like a panther when he was trying to work out his Math. He has ADHD. I can relate to his coping with it the only way he knew.

By: Aubrey

Aubrey — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:46:06 +0000

What a different way to look at ADHD children. I’m glad to see there are some schools leaning toward in helping children with ADHD by allowing them to stand or just let them be who they are.

By: Asia

Asia — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:55:03 +0000

I guess that does make sense… Never thought of it neither… I’m glad that some ones has studied and pointed that out…I guess kids with ADHD has their own way of coping and learning

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:20:49 +0000

Huh. . . what an interesting way to think about this. But it does make sense. Some kids have to learn by seeing, others by doing, some by feeling, etc. I guess that it only makes sense that there are those who learn best through movement. Hey if it keeps them alert and engaged then what is the problem? I know that some teachers will see this as disruptive to others but maybe that just means we need to all have a shift in the way we think about all kids and learning and striving to provide the very best learning environment for them all.

By: CAMELIA

CAMELIA — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:02:02 +0000

I’ve never thought of it that way before… I have always thought if they were too active and hyper… they weren’t paying attention to what they need to be paying attention to. Thanks for the article