Bill of Rights, Children with ADD/ADHD
The other day while looking around the net, and came across the following, written by a child. It made me think of our forgotten children and felt a need to share it with you all.
Bill of Rights, Children with ADD/ADHD
- Help me focus
Please teach me through my sense of touch. I need "hands-on" and body movement. - I need to know what comes next
Please give me a structured environment where there is a dependable routine. Give me an advance warning if there will be changes. - Wait for me, I'm still thinking
Please allow me to go at my own pace. If I'm rushed, I get confused and upset. - I'm stuck, I can't do it!
Please offer me options for problem solving. If the road is blocked, I need to know the detours. - Is it right? I need to know now
Please give me rich and immediate feedback on how I'm doing. - I didn't know I wasn't in my seat!
Please remind me to stop, think, and act. - I am almost done
Please give me short work periods with short-term goals. - What?...
Please don't say "I already told you that." Tell me again, in different words. Give me a signal. Draw me a symbol. - I know it's all wrong. Isn't it?
Please give me praise for partial success. Reward me for self-improvement, not just for perfection. - But why do I always get yelled at?
Please catch me doing something right and praise me for the specific behaviour. Remind me-and yourself-about my good points, when I'm having a bad day.
Mighty powerful, for our neat kid's. Do we as adults ever reflect on our own actions... maybe we should...