SCENARIO

Present an activity to enhance a child (Paul) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) emotional and social skills.

NAME OF ACTIVITY

Snakes and Ladders

AIM OF ACTIVITY

To promote social skills, to encourage turn-taking and to help improve level of concentration and patience.

RATIONALE FOR CHOICE OF ACTIVITY

I chose this activity because it has been researched as one of the best activities for children with adhd because it is not a complicated game and the less complication for Paul the better. Also as stated in the Disability Act 2001 inclusion is very important for children with special needs in a mainstream school (Alcott, 2007).  As this activity consists of two or more players, playing with other children will help Paul feel included. I also chose it to help Paul to express his feelings, to help him to understand the concept of turn-taking and to increase his level of concentration. Also, to help him interact with the other children.

DETAILS OF ACTIVITY

The game consists of a dice, four pawn and a board with numbers one to a hundred covered with snakes and ladders.  The object of the game is to take turns throwing the dice then starting from the bottom and working the way to the top.

PREPARATION FOR ACTIVITY

Before doing any research, I spoke to Pauls teacher and principal, I explained to them how I was going to use this activity to help Paul to work on his social and emotional skills. Both teacher and principal agreed to support my strategy and allowed me to go ahead with the activity. I then researched both ADHD and Snakes and Ladders.  I learned that adhd is not a learning disability, but it can affect the learning process and, that adhd is more common in boys than girls. The child with adhd can become easily distracted, does not like to sit for a long period of time, does not follow instruction very well.  They may also find it hard to express their feelings, become frustrated and lash out.  I also learned that a child with adhd does not take well to turn-taking and can be very inpatient (WebMD, 2005). When researching the game snakes and ladders I found it was a game that two or four players can play, this will promote Pauls social skills, encourage him to share and take turns and enhance his concentration.