hen I was in the fourth grade, there was a very active child. Our teacher would ask him several times throughout the day to stop talking. He was also easily distracted and could not sit still. Did I forget to mention that he couldn't stop squirming in his seat and frequently lost his pencil? My classmate could not control his behavior. They called a child with these traits "hyperactive," also known as hyperactive disorder.

In the ‘80s, when I began my teaching career, I had several students in my classroom who exhibited similar symptoms as my 4th-grade classmate. I started researching about children who were very active and couldn't concentrate. I remember reading many articles about children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD symptoms generally begin before the age of 12, and sometimes, you can detect symptoms in children as young as three years of age.

Recently, I decided to interview several adults who were diagnosed with ADHD when they were in grade school. I asked them to share their journey with me. One individual told me that ADHD was an exhausting journey for them. They mentioned that the exhaustion was a physical and mental battle. Another individual mentioned that they never felt productive, made careless mistakes, and had difficulty completing tasks. A third person told me they overcompensated to stay engaged and on task because they had trouble listening. These individuals are all highly successful, hardworking professionals who had dedicated parents and teachers by their side.

Helping students with ADHD improve their focus is often challenging, but there are effective ways to work with students who need extra attention. Here are some simple strategies:

Evelyn Sullivan, M.Ed.

Director, Early Childhood Education,
North American Division