Attention Problems in School

Guide for Suggested Talking Points

Present main points from:
1. Labeling Troubled and Troubling Youth: The Name Game - Excerpted from Addressing Barriers to Learning Newlsetter, Vol. 1(3), Summer 1996.
    
   • Refer to this document to provide a theoretical framework for understanding, identifying and diagnosing various behavioral, emotional and learning problems. This framework accounts for both individual and environmental contributions to problem behavior.
      
2. Attention Problems and Motivation - Excerpted from an Introductory Packet on Attention Problems: Intervention and Resources, Center for Mental Health in Schools (1999)
    
   • Use to highlight the role of motivation as a central concept in understanding attention and learning problems.
      
3. Info about the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities's Briefing Paper on ADHD
    

1. The Broad Continuum of Attention Problems - Adapted from The Classification of Child and Adolescent Mental Diagnoses in Primary Care, American Academy of Pediatrics (1996). Excerpted from a center Guidebook entitled: Common Psychosocial Problems of School Aged Youth (1999) and a center Introductory Packet entitled: Attention Problems: Intervention and Resources (1999)
    
   • Use to clarify developmental variations and differentiate problems from disorders
      
2. Fact Sheet: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents - Center for Mental Health Services fact sheet. Available online: http://www.mentalhealth.org/publications/allpubs/CA-0008/default.asp
    
   1. Note the section titled What Are the Signs of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, which lists the symptoms of ADHD.
       
   2. Because families may look to teachers or school counselors for help and/or referrals for their child, it is important to know what resources exist. See the section: What Help is Available for Families?
3. Practice Notes: ADD Look-Alikes: Same Symptoms but Different Problems - Excerpted from Carroll, S. (1997), National Association of School Psychologists, Communique Special Edition, (Vol. 25, No. 6, insert).
    
   • Use to enhance awareness of conditions which may cause a child to present symptoms which are hard to distinguish from ADHD
      
4. Practice Notes: Medication and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder - Adapted from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health (1996). Available online: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm
    
   • Use to provide a brief update on current medications and medication debates.
      
5. IDEA '97 Regulations - Children with "ADD/ADHD" - Excerpted from the Dept. of Education: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/Policy/IDEA/Brief-6.html
    
   • Use to discuss the inclusion of ADD and ADHD under Part B regulations.
      

1. Practice Parameters for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment and Treatment - Excerpts from the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, (Oct 1997).
    
   • Provides an outline format on this topic.
      
2. Clinical Practice Guideline: Diagnosis and Evaluation of the Child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - Excerpted from pediatrics 2000; 105: 1158-70.
    
   • Provides a graphic illustration on this topic.
      

1. 504 Accommodations Checklist
    
   • Reference list for use by parents and school personnel.
2. Surgeon General Report, Treatment of ADHD (excerpt)
    
   • Excerpts of the research and results of the Multimodal Treatment Study
3. NIMH Research & Treatment for ADHD (excerpt) -
    
   • A review of the Multimodal Treatment Study results.
      

• QuickFind on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (printer-friendly format)
  To view the web-based quick find on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, click here. 

1. Problems categorized on a Continuum Using a Transactional View
    
2. The Broad Continuum of Attention Problems
    
3. What are the Signs of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
    
4. 504 Accommodation Checklist