"Smart, Sensitive and Out of Control": Dealing with ADHD.
Within the past few years, more and more children and adults are being diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). About 3 million U.S. youngsters are believed to be afflicted with ADHD and other related behavior problems. Smart, Sensitive and Out of Control, written by Jack Gantos, discusses the form of helping and learning to cope with children with ADHD. Gantos is an author of children's books. He says, it seems he has been writing about hyperactivity his whole life. Books such as Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and Joey Pigza Loses Control, are to name a couple. In Gantos" article he suggests the schools" need to address the issues of ADHD kids, hire trained and equipped teachers to deal with this behavior, family therapy and an accurate diagnoses by a specialist. He mentions specific encounters with children who have ADHD and how he helped them learn, stay focused and involved in the classroom. The children he mentioned are "So smart, so eager to learn and eager to please, and so suddenly out of control." In today's society, parents are pressured by schools to put their kids on drugs to control ADHD. The media try to convince people drugs are the solution by promoting treatment options. Speaking from my own experience of being diagnosed with ADHD, I feel entitled to say, this is not the only solution! The best way to help children with ADHD is to keep them actively interested and involved.
In Gantos" encounter with children in schools, it is apparent to him which kids have ADHD. He came up with methods of control to keep them actively involved in "really fascinating projects.interesting books.creative hands-on art projects.group work with peers", without tying them up to keep them focused. Gantos mentions one child he was amazed by in his article. Speaking to a 5th grade class, he was intrigued by a young boy in the front row.
