We appreciate how much can be expected of a teacher -- from the school administration, from parents, and from the community. The Affinity Center Educational Consultant is here to help. Our goal is to simplify, rather than complicate, the educational process for BOTH the teacher and the student.

That means helping you understand a particular child’s needs in the most understandable and manageable way possible. You may have years of experience teaching ADD or ADHD students or have experience raising an ADD child yourself. You know, only too well then, that no two cases of this disability are alike, beyond saying that it interferes with a student’s ability to learn. And, if you are facing anew the challenges of an AD/HD student, you know some help certainly would be nice. We want to help by working with you to develop uncomplicated strategies that will work with this child, in your classroom, to get at the best results possible.

It is not abnormal for students to fidget in their seats and experience difficulty staying on task, but AD/HD students are not able to control their impulses and concentration on their own. They need therapeutic and sometimes medical help, along with AD/HD-friendly environments. While you cannot be expected to change the overall environment of your classroom for each “special” student you may have, there are ways to help AD/HD students better navigate the structure of your learning environment. Our Educational Consultant wants to hear your concerns about the student and help the family hear them as well. She will work with both parties to select and prioritize problems. She understands the “extra effort” you are making in working with students who often are difficult at times.

The Affinity Center Educational Consultant will also be working with the family to help them analyze their child’s problems. They need to be able to communicate what events may trigger, reinforce or maintain their child’s problem behavior. They need to follow through on mutually agreed upon tasks, so the student understands the level of cooperation and teamwork that’s being put in place for their benefit. The Educational Consultant may visit your classroom (as circumstances allow) to see what strategies would work best for both you and the student. She may also visit the student’s home to better assist the family tap into their child’s personal resources.

The Affinity Center’s team of therapists, doctors and consultants work together to help children and adults with AD/HD realize that they can live highly productive and successful lives. We want to work with you to help students integrate structure and positive study habits into their day-to-day lives so they can build the confidence and self-esteem every child needs.