Chapter 2-High-Incidence Disabilities

It is important for teachers to learn strategies to use for students with high-incidence disabilities because most teachers will have these types of students in their classrooms. I've had students with speech disabilities, ADHD, and LD in my classrooms that I've taught. Also, these types of disabilities most often deal with reading and mathematics skills in the regular education classroom so it's important to know ways to help these students. In my 4 years of teaching, I've most often dealt with students with ADHD. I make sure to let these students get out of their seat multiple times during the day. I take breaks between each lesson to give students 3-5 minutes to get up and move around. I've let students with ADHD stand up at their desk while they take a test or during a lesson if they need to stand up for a minute. It does get hard for the other students in the classroom and they distracted. I also tried to make my lessons hands-on where students have a chance to move around and talk with their peers. I also try to stick to a strict schedule so this helps students know the routine and what is going to happen next in the room.

Many students with ADHD also struggle academically. I struggle with having time to meet with my students individually or with small groups. It is important to use RtI preventions and interventions with these students. I have a hard time teaching my regular lessons for the day and having time to work one-on-one with these students. I also struggle with students shouting out and being impulsive during class. I work hard to help these students manage these outbursts.

One of the skills I can work on with my students is being patient and finding new strategies to help my students succeed. It is important to remember that no students are alike and I have to vary my teaching strategies with all students. I often find it easy to use visual or auditory teaching and I need to make sure to use more hands-on learning in my lessons. I also want meet with my students with ADHD more one-on-one to help use these students succeed.