ADDitude Magazine
The problem: Difficulty following instructions is a hallmark of attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD). Children with ADHD may seem to understand and even write down your directions, but will then turn in the wrong assignment or execute it incorrectly.
The reason: ADHD students have difficulty focusing and sustaining attention. Also, they may not be "tuned in" at that precise moment when instructions are given. Often a student will hear the teacher's first direction, then become distracted by other thoughts or stimuli. She may hear only bits and pieces, or hear and achieve only one of four assigned tasks. Difficulty processing language exacerbates the problem.
The obstacles: A student with ADHD may leave her class assuming that she heard and "got" everything right. She may have listened as closely as she could, but still missed specific steps or directions. When she turns in work that's done partially or incorrectly, it's easy for teachers to become angry and frustrated. But giving poor grades will only make matters worse, since it can hurt a child's self-esteem by making her think she's stupid or falling behind.
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