in the classroom
‘ Flick the switch ’
Fiona Kearnan . Picture : Supplied .
New book maps how teachers can best support students with ADHD .
By Emilie Lauer
Positive reinforcement , ‘ faking it till you make it ’ and music are effective strategies teachers can use to support students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ), according to a new book .
Fiona Kearnan , a casual teacher based in Victoria , has dedicated her career to helping educators improve their understanding of ADHD and how it impacts their classrooms .
The author of ‘ Flicking the Switch ’ told Education Review that teachers need to move away from using a “ negative and punitive ” approach and prioritise using understanding and empathy .
“ This will help students shift their focus and attention and behaviour onto what it should be ,” she said .
Around 5 per cent of students in Australia are estimated to live with ADHD .
The neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by prolonged inattention and hyperactivity , and can deeply affect a child ’ s learning experience .
Kearnan joined Education Review to discuss the complexities of ADHD and ways teachers can work to establish a supportive environment for every student .
ER : Where did your passion for supporting young people with ADHD come from ? FK : My little brother , when he was two years old , he was classic hyperactive little boy with lots of energy , and I was eight years older than him , so I was 10 at the time . And he was quickly diagnosed with ADHD at that time . He was hyperactive and he was my little brother , so I thought he was annoying ( laughs ). So I had to develop strategies to help him to be less annoying to his big sister . Also , when he went to school , I was really sad at the comments that he would make when
22 | educationreview . com . au