Boarding Schools for Students with Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder involves impulsivity, the inability to focus, and sometimes hyperactivity. Children with ADD often get in trouble at school because they talk out of turn, fidget constantly, cannot focus on their work or complete their assignments, have problems following directions, are easily distracted, and make careless mistakes. Four times as many boys have ADD than girls, and it currently affects 3% to 5% (over two million) of American children.
If a child with ADHD does not get special help, he or she often fails at school. Constant correction by adults leads to lowered self-esteem. If this continues into the teenage years, these children become more likely to get lost in drugs, alcoholism, and other problems as they seek acceptance with the wrong crowd.
Many therapeutic boarding schools offer programs for children with ADD; a few specialize in the disorder.
PROS
Children with ADD are hard to manage at home. Professionals advise parents to provide strict structures seven days a week with set times for outdoor play, study hours, classes, meals and recreation. This is easier said than done, especially if there are siblings. Boarding schools specializing in ADD do that and more.
At some schools, counselors live with the children on a twenty-four-hour basis. This way they constantly work with the students to maintain and increase their gains.
A good school will have specialized educational equipment for ADD, such as software programs to organize work. Classes will be short and often hands-on, with frequent breaks. There will be plenty of time for outdoor exercise. Students will not have devices such as computer games, video game systems, cell phones or even television sets. Time spent on these sedentary activities tends to worsen their symptoms.
Even a year of intense behavioral therapy, special educational options, wholesome food and plenty of outdoor exercise can really help a child with ADD. Some are able to turn their behaviors around and begin to succeed at home and in their regular schools.
Boarding schools provide a needed break for overwrought parents.
CONS
Children with ADD should not be placed with children with severe psychiatric problems.
ADD children are often impulsive and risk-taking; therefore, the staff must supervise them closely at all times. Boarding school is expensive, although financial aid is often available. Sometimes public school districts help pay the cost.
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