Activity

To experience characteristics often associated with a learning disability or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Students with learning disabilities and ADHD are often misunderstood by their parents and teachers, in part due to the contradictions inherent in these conditions. For many adults, the term learning disability fails to explain how an intelligent, articulate child is unable to read or struggles with the most basic academic tasks. Similarly, the term attention deficit hyperactivity disorder implies a lack of attention, yet students with this disorder often do poorly in school because their attention is focused on too many things at once (e.g., the buzzing of a fly in the window, the pencil tapping of a classmate, the pattern of light being reflected onto the floor).

A companion website to the PBS documentary Misunderstood Minds contains nine simulations that allow users to experience challenges associated with four different areas, as noted in the table below. Additional information on the site explains the basic skills associated with each of the tasks, areas where students may experience difficulties, and suggestions to address each area of difficulty.

1. Go to the Misunderstood Minds website. Select an area (attention, reading, writing, or mathematics) and work through the simulations.
2. Reflect on your experiences and answer the following questions.
   1. Did the simulations help you better understand a disability in that area? If so, how?
   2. While completing the simulation, did you find yourself wanting anything (e.g., more time) or wanting to do anything specific (e.g., refer to your notes) to help? If so, what were they?
   3. Given the information above, what supports or accommodations could you provide to the students in your classes who have ADHD or learning disabilities?