ADD / ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom [Paperback]

Thomas Armstrong (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0871203596 | ISBN-13: 978-0871203595 | Publication Date: December 1, 1999 0

What does it mean to a kid to be labeled attention-deficit disordered (ADD)? Or to have "hyperactive" added to the label (ADHD)? What can teachers do to boost the success of students with attention and behavioral difficulties? Are we relying too much on medication for these kids and not enough on new perspectives on learning, child development, the child's socioeconomic and cultural background, biological and psychological research, and the learner's emotional and social needs?

Armstrong urges educators and parents to look for the positive characteristics in learners who may carry the ADD/ADHD label. Are they bursting with energy? Are they intensely creative? Do they enjoy hands-on learning? Are they natural leaders? Are they unusually introspective and reflective? We need to look beyond a "deficit" approach and embrace a more holistic view of learners that includes teaching to their multiple intelligences, learning styles, and other brain-friendly approaches. For example, here are some classroom activities for kids who "can't sit still":

- Learning spelling words by having kids jump up out of their seats on the vowels and sit down on the consonants.
- Mastering the multiplication tables by forming a conga line, moving around the classroom counting from 1 to 30 out loud, and on every multiple of 3 shaking their hips and legs.
- Showing patterns of molecular bonding in chemistry class through a "swing your atom" square dance.

Thomas Armstrong, an educator and psychologist from Sonoma County, California, has more than 26 years of teaching experience, from the primary through the doctoral level. He is the author of two other ASCD books, "Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom" and "Awakening Genius in the Classroom."

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Assn for Supervision & Curriculum (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871203596
• ISBN-13: 978-0871203595
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #927,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Education > Education Theory > Classroom Management

More About the Author

I've been a writer and speaker for twenty-five years, focusing on the diversity of ways in which people learn and grow. I like to read (my favorite writer is Jorge Luis Borges), paint, meditate (I do mindfulness meditation), and play Scrabble (even though my wife usually beats me). I'm particularly excited about my new book (out in May 2010) called Neurodiversity: Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Brain Differences. It suggests that we think about brain diversity in the same way we think about biodiversity and cultural diversity. I used to work as a learning disability specialist and was disheartened by the negative labels we throw at children. I believe we need to honor and celebrate the uniqueness of each learner. My book Neurodiversity focuses on the strengths and abilities of people with mental health labels, including autism, dyslexia, ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities. I hope that you buy Neurodiversity, and tell other people about it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Positive Effective Strategy Overview, December 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: ADD / ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom (Paperback)

Excellent overview of what ADD/ADHD is and interesting theory on how the label was created. Since I believe it is necessary to look at the whole picture on any research, I appreciate that Armstrong takes into account the WHOLE child when discussing the ADD/ADHD child/person. I am looking for a successful plan as an educator. Armed with this global plan and exhaustive bibliography and references, I am on my way. I appreciate that he really seems to understand and care for the WHOLE child labeled with ADD/ADHD. A MUST HAVE FOR ANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATOR!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, January 13, 2012

By 

Geena (ALBQ, NM) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ADD / ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom (Paperback)

I am a teacher and this book really helps me to understand one of the reasons why so many kids are afflicted with ADHD, very intriguing!

5.0 out of 5 stars ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the classroom, May 31, 2011

By 

mom in PA - See all my reviews

This review is from: ADD / ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom (Paperback)

This book is written for educators, however, I, a parent of a child with ADHD, found it useful. My son's teachers and elementary school staff were constantly speaking about my son in negative terms. He can't focus, is impulsive, makes careless mistakes, is not organized, interrupts etc... I began viewing him through this lens and things got worse.

While this book has not "fixed" my son, it has helped me see the strengths my son has. Perhaps the most helpful aspect of this book was learning to hold a positive image of him by identifying his strengths and using positive words like creative, imaginative and energetic to describe him. I found he had many strenghts like incidental learning which I was not aware of. Knowing my son's strengths and needs allowed me to chose a new elementary school better suited to his learning style. For example, this new school takes lots of field trips which allows him to take advantage of incidental learning. They also have yoga twice a month which is one of the attention building activities listed in Armstrong's book. In addition, movement is built into the school day. My son is now doing well at school and views himself as a competent learner.

Armstrong offers a refreshing perspective on ADHD that allows a person to appreciate a child while meeting his/her needs. I wish all my child's teachers would read this book.