Supporting Students with
ADHD & Anxiety
Quince Orchard High School
504 Information Night
October 1, 2015
Jeanne McCormack, NCSP, MCPS School Psychologist
Overview
 ADHD
& Executive Functioning
 Classroom study strategies
 Home study strategies
 Memory strategies
 Apps to help with organization
 Behavior management
 Managing anxiety
 Parent & student resources
What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(DSM-5)
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ADHD, Inattentive Presentation
ADHD, Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation
ADHD, Combined Presentation
Executive Functioning Skills
Executive
Functioning
Behavioral
Regulation
Metacognition
-Inhibit
-Shift
-Emotional Control
-Initiate
-Working Memory
-Planning/Organizing
-Organizing Materials
-Monitor
Classroom study strategies

Note Taking: Review and re-copy if possible within
24 hours of class
TOPIC
NOTES
Classroom study strategies

Active listening & participation
Study strategies at home

Be mindful of study environment: time,
place, condition
◦ Study groups
◦ Reduce distractions
Study strategies at home
• Schedule study blocks of time each day with breaks
o
o
Regular routine of distributed practice
Set a goal at the beginning of the study
session
o
i.e. time goal, covering a particular section of the
material, a subject, etc.
Study strategies at home
Monitoring
◦ Self-checks: Did I understand what I just read? If
not, go back and re-read.
◦ Jot down distracting thoughts to be addressed
after studying.
◦ Use check-lists for reinforcement
 Review
◦ SQ3R: Skim, Question, Read, Recite, Review
◦ Practice tests
◦ LESS effective methods: summarization,
highlighting, keyword mnemonics, creating
imagery for text, and re-reading
 Healthy habits: sleep, eat well, exercise

Memory strategies
Make information meaningful to YOU
 Space out study sessions
 Take breaks
 Repeat the information
 Flash cards
 Teach someone else

Organizational Apps
APP
iHomework
iStudiez Pro
DESCRIPTION
Helps to keep track of assignments, record
grades, includes color coded calendar, put in
students’ schedules
Gives reminders of deadlines
inClass
Keep track of courses through efficient note
taking, video/audio notes and photo notes
iThoughts
Helps students visually organize their thoughts,
ideas and information, great for organizing
papers
These cards can have up to 5 sides (word
pronunciation, visual cue, spell with a visual) and
can be categorized by these
Flashcards Deluxe
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE USE OF AN AGENDA BOOK!
My child REFUSES to do his/her
homework!

Goal Setting
◦ Long-Term (i.e. independence, college)
◦ Short-Term (i.e. do homework, attend class)

Positive Reinforcement
◦ If you do _____, _____ will happen

Replace the function of the behavior
◦ Escaping difficult tasks – structure easy-hard-easy
◦ Learned helplessness – reinforce attempt
◦ Gaining preferred activity – limit that activity
Anxiety

Managing Anxiety
◦ Relaxation techniques/coping strategies
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Deep breathing
Imagery
Progressive muscle relaxation
Mindfulness
Positive self-talk
Thought stopping
Counting and breathing
Resources

ADHD
◦ www.chadd.org Children and Adults with Attention Deficit
Disorders
◦ www.add.org National Association of Attention Deficit
Disorders
◦ www.ldonline.com Resources focusing on learning
disabilities and ADHD

Anxiety
◦ http://www.adaa.org Anxiety and Depression Association
of America

Various Related Resources
◦ http://www.nasponline.org/ National Association of School
Psychologists
Thank you for your time! Questions?