Jillian McManis- Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- October is ADHD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating communities and supporting individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
At Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) staff and students are working to better understand ADHD and provide strategies for success in and out of the classroom.
“ADHD shows up so differently depending on the student,” said Jordyn Mohler, MSW, the School District of Manatee County District social worker. “For some high school students, ADHD primarily messes with their ability to focus and concentrate on a task. Many high school students with ADHD might come off as ‘disruptive,’ or ‘disrespectful of authority,’ because they don’t think before they reacted.”
To help students manage these challenges, teachers and staff at LRHS focus on strategies that promote self-awareness and regulation.
“It’s really important that students with ADHD recognize when they are getting distracted or feeling frustrated so they can walk away from the situation and come back afterwards,” Mohler explained.
“This uses the skill of taking breaks, quietly using fidgets, or something non-distracting to increase movement.”
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LRHS Sophomore Ethan Meyer shared his experience: “I don’t have it bad anymore, but when I was younger, I would use toys and fidget with other things to make it better.”
Beyond academics, ADHD can also affect social relationships, something many people don’t realize.
“Some students with ADHD have difficulty making and maintaining close friendships,” Mohler said. “Others might not understand that the student that ‘talks a lot’ can’t control it. It’s important to take this in consideration when having conversations with peers.”
Teachers at LRHS also play an essential role by helping students stay organized.
“Teachers can best support students with ADHD by maintaining patience and providing consistent reminders and redirections,” Mohler emphasized.