Thai Educators Network

Understanding A-D-D Minuses

Maxine started by talking about the facts of this condition that involves a brain dysfunction. She spoke of the symptoms that might be observed by both parents and teachers and introduced the checklist of the American Psychiatric Association as an aid to diagnosis.

There are red herrings and lookalikes that can confuse diagnosis such as giftedness, depressive illnesses and problems due to language, vision or hearing. ADHD can also co-exist with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and oppositional defiant disorder.

This condition brings stress to parents, siblings and the student and an insight into management techniques to alleviate stress was given. Then practical solutions for parents and teachers were outlined and their implementation discussed, together with a role-play situation. A mention was made of the beneficial and detrimental effects of medication and dietary changes.

In conclusion, it was acknowledged that both parenting and teaching were difficult but that the ADHD individual had many strengths which could be nurtured with good management. In the ‘Hall of Fame’, we have Edison, Benjamin Franklin and Hemingway - ADHD individuals can be the ‘movers and shakers’ of today’s society.

ATOC

At ATOC, children are taught to believe in themselves, build their esteem and enjoy the rewards of many small successes. A thriving and successful emotional development brings security to enable them to take risks in their learning.

This dynamic learning environment is designed to foster children’s essential love of learning by bringing together people with the knowledge and the resources to help children who are experiencing difficulty.

At the core of our determination is the belief in the ability to influence a child’s learning journey through early identification so that the brain is challenged to create neural connections by selected techniques that are based on accepted principles of intervention.

Our philosophy is to make parents aware at the early stages of the child’s development and learning as intensive early support can re-educate the brain to receive, process and manage information more efficiently.

ATOC places emphasis on the development of language and linking this to the child’s learning in school, as a child who has established a strong ability to understand and express concepts will use this in reading, writing and the development of knowledge.

At ATOC, innovative methods are used to stimulate a child’s thinking processes so they make the links necessary for good comprehension and critical thinking. It is important that the child does not learn discreet skills but can generalize the information across the board.

ATOC uses the RTI system, which is an individualized, comprehensive assessment and intervention process, utilizing a problem-solving framework to identify and address student academic difficulties using effective, efficient, research-based instruction.

More information about Acorns to Oaks Children’s Centre can be found on their comprehensive website: atocbkk.com or by calling:               02 711 7157