Great sleep, proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle all go a long way, however, a really ADHD student can drive a class crazy if not medicated. As a teacher, I have a bouncy ball chair (an exercise ball with a stand) that a student who is ADHD can use if they forget their meds or the meds are wearing off. It helps for a short time, but not for the long hours a yeshiva student is expected to sit. I was very impressed last year with a parent that pulled her son out every day at 2:00 because of his severe ADHD. He went for cognitive behavioral therapy during that time in addition to taking meds so that he could be aware of his actions and how they impacted others. He used to terrorize the class, but this year he is a pleasure. It is all about giving your child that right kind of tools to cope with living in society and behaving with derech eretz. I am certain that this boy is going to grow up to be an incredibly learned person who is a baal middos because his parents are investing so much into his upbringing. I have been dealing with ADHD and ODD children for twenty five years in the classroom-thank Hashem for the meds!!!!
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