ADHD


Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     My teacher, Ms. Moops, keeps telling me I need to finish one thing before I jump into something else. I told her I can't help but jump around from one thing to another. What do I do, Doc?

Signed,

Clyde C.

Dear Clyde,

     Sometimes when I have trouble focusing on one task, I make the task a lot smaller so it doesn't seem so overwhelming. If it's okay with Ms. Moops, maybe she can break up a worksheet into smaller parts instead of giving you one very long worksheet. When you're at home, try to break up your homework into smaller parts so you know there's an end in sight.

     This worksheet will help you practice breaking up a task into smaller parts.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     My parents are always complaining that I don't play very quietly. I try to do calm activities like watch T.V. or play video games, but it's kinda hard not to climb and jump all over the place. Any suggestions?

Signed,

Fred F.

Dear Fred,

     Of course it can be really hard to sit and play quietly by yourself! While watching T.V. and playing video games are fun, they don't really help to release your energy. That's why outdoor sports like basketball, baseball, swimming, and running are good ways to focus your extra energy.  

     This worksheet might also help you when you're having a hard time staying in your seat. 

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck, 

     Everyone in my class always gets annoyed with me when I talk out of turn. Mrs. Bookbinder says I need to practice being patient. That can be really hard sometimes...

Signed,

Roger R.

Dear Roger,

     I work with a lot of kids who have trouble waiting their turn. Some of them tell me it's really helpful to count while they are waiting. Others say they like to think of their favorite songs while they wait their turn. If Mrs. Bookbinder is okay with it, have her let you know exactly how long you have to wait- watching the clock can be a good way to distract yourself while you are waiting.

     This worksheet might also help you when you're having a hard time taking turns.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

 

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I can't stop moving around in class. My teacher, Mr. Sneely, keeps yelling at me to sit still, but it's really hard for me. Help!         

Signed,

Norman N.

Dear Norman,

     Ask Mr. Sneely if you can use a fidget object (like a squeeze ball) to quietly squish while you are sitting in your seat. The squeeze ball will keep you from thinking about how you have to sit absolutely still and hopefully you can start focusing on what Mr. Sneely is saying. 

     This worksheet might also be helpful when you're having a hard time staying in your seat.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I can't seem to concentrate in class. Mr. Foozle will be talking about something and all I'll be thinking about is Swiss cheese or my favorite T.V. show. What should I do?

Signed,

Wilhelmina W.

Dear Wilhelmina,

    If it's okay with Mr. Foozle, it can be helpful to draw or doodle while he is teaching. Doodling can also help you later remember what Mr. Foozle was saying. Here is a worksheet to help you get started doodling.

It might also be helpful to ask Mr. Foozle for breaks when you are having a hard time concentrating.     

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I've been trying to do my homework in smaller parts but it's still really hard not to jump around from one thing to another...any suggestions?

Signed,

Clyde C.

Dear Clyde,

     I'm proud of you for trying to break up your homework into smaller parts- you should be very proud of yourself as well! It might be helpful to also set a timer for yourself to complete each of the smaller parts of your homework assignment. When the timer rings and you are done with that part, you can move on to the next part. 

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I did what you said and I've been playing a lot of baseball, but I still come home and jump all over the place. Should I be playing more baseball?

Signed,

Fred F. 

Dear Fred,

     That's great that you've been playing baseball! Some of the kids I work with will do an outdoor activity like baseball, and if they still have a lot of energy when they get home they will get some chores done (i.e. clean their room, help out around the house, etc.) before they start their homework. Remember Fred, you're doing the best you can and that's awesome!

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I'm trying to be patient and not talk when others are talking- I really am! It's just super hard for me. Do you have any other tips?

Signed, 

Roger R.

Dear Roger,

     I'm proud of you for trying to be patient- it can be really tough sometimes! When I want to talk and it's not my turn, I tell myself to stop for a few seconds before saying anything. Then, I try to think about what I want to say instead of just saying everything that's in my head. It's really, really hard, but with practice you will definitely get better at it. Keep up the good work!

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     Why is it so easy for other kids to stay in their seat during class but it's so hard for me? It's so unfair...

Signed,

Norman N.

Dear Norman,

     Everybody is different! You might have a hard time sitting in your seat, but I know you've set the record for the high jump at Rodentia Elementary School. Sometimes it's hard not to compare ourselves to others, but I've always found it makes me feel really bad about myself. Instead of thinking about what is hard for you to do, think about all the things you're really good at it!

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     Mr. Foozle isn't too happy with me because I'm still thinking about Swiss cheese and my favorite T.V. show during class. Help!

Signed,

Wilhelmina W.

Dear Wilhelmina,

     Some of the kids I work with ask their teachers to use a special signal that reminds them to pay attention. I wonder if Mr. Foozle might be able to use a signal, like tapping you on the shoulder, to remind you to pay attention when he notices you are daydreaming.     

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck, 

    I did my classwork in smaller parts today and Ms. Moops was really proud of me and gave me a gold star. Then Alfred said I was a teacher's pet. I just want to do the right thing. Help!

Signed, 

Clyde C.

Dear Clyde,

     You did do the right thing! People are not always going to be happy with us for some reason or another and that's okay. As long as you know you are doing the right thing, that is all that matters.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

 

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I had a lot of energy yesterday and was jumping around the classroom. Mr. Norbit got mad at me and told me I had to settle down. I tried to tell him I couldn't help it but I don't think he believed me...     

Signed,

Fred F.

Dear Fred,

     If you would like, I can talk to Mr. Norbit about how it can sometimes be hard for you to sit still. You can also release some of that extra energy at school by playing baseball or other sports during recess and lunch so you feel calmer when you are in the classroom.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I got in big trouble today with Mrs. Bookbinder when I started talking during Ollie's presentation on rodents. I really didn't mean to interrupt- I just wanted to share some of the stuff I knew...

Signed,

Roger R.

Dear Roger,

     I know it can be really hard not to talk out of turn and I'm sure you had some great information to share with the class. Remember, you can always write down what you want to say and wait until it's a better time to share so that you don't get in trouble with Mrs. Bookbinder.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     I got sent to Mr. Hamberger's office today for accidentally jumping on and breaking Harold's stamp album. I tried to explain that I didn't do it on purpose but Mr. Sneely didn't believe me. 

Signed,

Norman N.

Dear Norman,

     I believe you that you didn't mean to break Harold's stamp album and that it was just an accident. Sometimes when we have a lot of energy in our bodies, it can be really hard to control ourselves and our movements. If you would like, I can talk to Mr. Sneely and we can maybe figure out different ways for you to express your excitement during Coach Nurrfle's class.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

Dear Dr. Woodchuck,

     My classmates got mad at me today because I didn't do my part in a group project. Milton said I was too "spacey" and Mr. Foozle said I wouldn't get any points for the project. I thought I was paying attention, but I guess not...

Signed,

Wilhelmina W.

Dear Wilhelmina,

     When I was your age, I found it helpful to write down my assignments in my planner so I didn't forget them. In fact, I still use a planner for my appointments! Just like you, I also had a lot of things on my mind so it was nice to write down assignments and check them off my list.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D.,

LRAT, LMNOP

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