Asking the student questions randomly encourages the student to be on their toes 3. Use the students name in a question or in the material being covered. 4. Ask a simple question (not even related to the topic at hand) to a child whose attention is beginning to wander. Provide a topic that will interest the student and let the conversation serve as a break 5. Develop a private running joke between you and the student that can be invoked to re-involve you with the student.6. Stand close to the inattentive student and touch them on the shoulder as you are teaching. 7. Decrease the length of activities or lessons. 8. Alternate physical and mental activities. Give the student a chance to stretch and get the bugs out 9. Increase the novelty of lessons by using films, tapes, flash cards, and games 10. Incorporate the students interests into a lesson plan. 11. Give simple, concrete instructions, once. 12. Use a soft voice to give directionsAll of these techniques that I used throughout the process of teaching Alex worked very well in maintaing a balanced attention span despite his AD/HD. However these techniques are not much different from those used on any normal child. With the exception of over-repetition in dealing with children with AD/HD, the strategies used and influencing factors are the same. Alex responded to big, bright, loud, high energy/emotion stimuli, as would anyone in seeking to obtain their attention.In choosing the topic of attention and Attention Deficit Disorder, I was surprised at the number of unanswered scientific questions that still linger. Attention seems to be that little something that you can not see, hear or touch but manages to influence everything in everyones life. I enjoyed my time as Alexs teacher. As I taught him and aided with his attention, he taught me patience. Regardless of what type of students or subject matter a teacher is going to be working with, it can be sure that attention will play a ...
