Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: ADHD
“But mum, my brain told me to do it”
- a child with ADHD
According to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E) about 3% of school children suffer from this condition (06/2013). A list of core behaviours of ADHD provided by them include being:
- Inattentive – unable to concentrate for very long or finish a task, disorganised, often losing things, easily distracted and forgetful, unable to listen when people are talking.
- Hyperactive – fidgety and unable to sit still, restless (children may be running or climbing much of the time), talking constantly, noisy, having difficulty doing quiet activities
- Impulsive – speaking without thinking about the consequences, interrupting, unable to wait or take turns.
Attention Deficit Disorder: ADD is similar condition but does not include the hyperactive or impulsive slements.
The classroom enviroment can be a challenging place for a child with ADHD/ADD, sitting still, listening quietly and concentration can be difficult for them and create barriers to their learning.
The SMILE room is able to help children with ADHD/ADD in a number of ways, the greatest one being concentration, it has been shown that using 3D content can make a huge improvement to a student’s engagement in lessons and when combined with the entire room we hope to see even better results. Additional things that can be done are exercises using the mirror and webcam in the room to help teach children to sit still. Also using the wii, with programs like wii fit and having to meditate and stay still to complete tasks.
We hope to be able to use the SMILE room to develop more ways to help as we observe how children with ADHD respond to the room.
SMILE room Project - 27 Cresswell Drive, Hilperton, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7TN
E: smile@bythegate.com