Definition: Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobiological condition that is manifested in a persistent pattern of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity. It arises during childhood and is attributed neither to gross sensory, language, or motor impairment, nor to mental retardation or severe emotional disturbances.
Background Information:
ADD/ADHD is documented through a comprehensive evaluation that establishes a diagnosis, rules out other causes, and determines the presence or absence of other conditions. This evaluation will often include intelligence testing plus the assessment of academic, social, and emotional functioning and developmental abilities. Measure of attention span and impulsivity will also be used. A medical exam by a physician is also important. Students with ADD/ADHD may have accompanying learning disabilities or other disabilities such as anxiety or depression that can impact their college learning experience. Accommodations for students with learning disabilities may be appropriate for students with ADD/ADHD. One major difference between ADD/ADHD and learning disabilities if that some symptoms of ADD/ADHD respond to medication. There is no known medical treatment for learning disabilities.
Common ADD/ADHD problems/deficits exhibited:
- Inability to listen selectively during lectures
- Lack of organization in work, especially written work and essay questions
- Chronic procrastination
- Easy distractibility
- Impulsivity, blurting out answers
- High volume activity with poor follow-through on task completion
- Poor time management
- Difficulty in following procedures or directions
- Reading comprehension difficulties
- Difficulty in being prepared for class, keeping appointments, and getting to class on time
Possible Accommodations:
- Use of notetakers or copies of instructor’s notes, overheads, or PowerPoint presentations
- Extended time for tests
- Exams in a quiet, distraction-free environment
- Use of tape recorders and/or laptop computers in class
- Alternate testing arrangements such as oral tests, essay vs. multiple choice
- Advance syllabus prior to the start of classes
- Use of a blank card or paper to assist in reading
- Extended time to complete assignments
- Use of calculator, spell checker, thesaurus, reader and/or scribe during exams
- Textbooks in alternate formats (CD, electronic)
Possible Teaching Strategies:
- Use of multiple teaching modalities – visual aids, hands-on activities, work groups, as well as lectures.
- Set up study guides and review sheets for exams.
- Give instructions in more than one way, i.e. both orally and in writing – make sure they are concise.
Equipment available at Raynor Library to assist students with ADD/ADHD at Marquette:
- Kurzweil 3000 software system
- Reading Edge
- Cassette recorders, CD player
If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Office of Disability Services. We are located in the Alumni Memorial Union, Room 317. The phone number is extension 8-1645.
Heidi Vering
Coordinator, Disability Services
ODS 6/05
