Classroom Ennui or ADHD!
My 15 year old daughter, Priya, graduated from her Neuro-feedback training to treat her Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD or in simple terms she gets bored and drifts in class and misses the learning. So what does the graduation mean? Her school reports have marginally improved during the 40-session training. Does this mean the training was unsuccessful?
Priya believes she has improved in the last few months by learning to focus and be in the present moment. I too have observed that she is far more engaging in everyday situations than she has been in the past. She is now somewhat of an expert in the house on who is paying attention during a conversation or not. That’s enough evidence for me to know that she indeed has learned some new techniques but the important thing is that she feels she has learned.
As a parent, I cannot help but feel disappointed with the Education System. We are living in an age where Google has practically replaced the Dictionary and yet the teaching methods and text books have marginally evolved. Very few teachers have the ability to use the tools of the new digital generation like email, MSN and computer games. The school system is simply failing to capture the imagination of some of our children. The current system is not designed for the creative child who is most likely to get bored and drift in class, hence ADHD.
Radical change has to come about in the education system to enrich our children’s lives by using innovation like the Sony PlayStations and other video games in a constructive manner in the education system.
At the very least, the board of education should insist on some standards for all teachers that include:
- email communication instead of notes that get mangled at the bottom of the backpack and never get delivered;
- all homework and assignments posted on the web site so students and parents can monitor the actual work;
- Review notes or topics covered for each class posted on the website.
- Use video games as instructional tools – radical indeed!
Some of this is already happening but only in an ad-hoc manner by creative teachers and school boards. I realize there is a segment of society who don’t have access to home computers. That is another social issue for yet another day. Feel free to share your experiences both positive and negative. You can also read the original post when Priya was diagnosed here.
Jillene says:
Indra, you’ve hit upon some very important points here! Having experienced Priya firsthand, I find her to be a most engaging young woman. I think you’re right: there is a secret to holding the attention of children in the classroom.
In a recent issue, Ode Magazine’s cover story was on research on how surprisingly effective learning through video games was achieved. The magazine admitted that because they were printed material, it was ‘on the edge’ for them to even print such a thing, but they were so blown away by the evidence, they couldn’t ignore it. Would that we could all be so astute in what we move toward!
I love the points you’ve set forth here. Brava ~ again!! And hugs to Priya!
~ Jillene
December 24th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Cathie Shortt says:
It is good to hear some feedback about neurofeedback, since it was recommended to us several years ago.We opted for a school with small classes, and within a few months my daughter who was a non-reader in grade four, learned to read. Today she is an avid reader, and still struggles with her ADHD, but I am convinced this population gets a raw deal when it comes to education. Children with other disabilities have so many supports and the attitude towards ADD is still in the dark ages. The big problem is that small classes would be a bugeting nightmare. But some children have one on one support. The system just isn’t fair and that is also why children end up relying on medication or dropping out.
April 16th, 2007 at 6:26 am
Marilyn says:
If video games were school.my ADHD child would ace his chooling in a minute..this is indeed sad and the mention of the schools present ways to teach is sad..but true. we need to demand better learning..but I highly doubt current teachers who learn the old ways..will lean towards that..after all..if teaching is merely a “job” to them like ours is to us in our own fields..things will not change much. SAD!
December 18th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Marilyn says:
Also wanted to add..there is new science/belief that sleeping disorders contribute to ADHD, it just is not fully out there for the public yet to learn. However, they believe that children who have restlessleg syndrone may end up having ADHD,Bipolar and many other attention syndromes. Until we know if your children are having night time sleep loss, things will probably never change. they areusually cranky babies who don’t sleep well, and it carries over into adult hood..to sleep apnea. The same goes for our Dr.s who learn the old medicine..we need to demand better healthcare now too..to save our ADHD kids (and parents alike) who have no idea their sleep may be the cause of their hypothalmic dysfunction that causes ADHD.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:46 am