HomeSchoolDebate

This year, one of my debaters has a severe case of ADHD. He has trouble paying attention, will hardly follow even in interactive discussions, activities, and games, will sometimes randomly stand up and walk away/around, sometimes falls asleep or disrupts class, &c. Does anyone have any advice for how to simultaneously teach debate while also creatively helping this individual learn?

I once had a close friend who had ADHD. He told me that people always tried to make things very fun and exciting for him- to play along with the disorder. But it was hard for him to keep up with it all. It was too much. People were throwing everything in his face, and he couldn't handle all of it.

I would recommend making things engaging for your student, but not so much that it's overwhelming or over-stimulating for him. Make it fun so that his attention is kept. At the same time, though, you will have to be somewhat firm. I understand that it may be hard to reprove someone who has an honest problem when it comes to this sort of thing, but there will have to be some reproachment involved. If he does something bad- such as disrupt the class- say his name until you get his attention, and then ask him to stop doing whatever he's doing. Ask him every so often if he's following the conversation. But do it casually. Don't make the fact that he has a disorder [and I do hate to call it that] obvious, even if everyone knows it. Treat him like your other students.

I think, above all, you have to keep things calm. Don't let anything get out of control, or he will become too excited, and that's when the problems will start to settle in. If he is in a calm, peaceful environment, he himself will become more calm and peaceful.

I wish you the best of luck with teaching him. It sounds like a very interesting and fun experience. Although it may be difficult, I think you will be blessed by this.

I would have a frank discussion with the individual about their motives in participation. Do they truly want to be there or are they forced to be there for academic (read "parental") reasons? A discussion with their parents can't hurt either. As someone with pretty heavy ADD (thankfully not ADHD) I understand that there are truly people who are truly sincere in wanting to pursue an activity but are hampered from doing so. A simple and honest discussion (I'd recommend separately from the parents) can help discern this.

There are certain ways you can structure it but at the end of the day, one cannot completely structure the entire class meeting to someone with ADD as that harms the ability of others to learn.

Agreed. Frankly, if someone has ADD or ADHD so serious that he or she can't function in an environment like a debate meeting, but really wants to participate in the activity, the answer is probably the medications that exist for helping people with ADD or ADHD function normally. It shouldn't be the coach's problem.