This document describes a training program for elementary educators aimed at informing them about strategies to support students with reduced attention. Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder (ADHD) is a childhood neurodevelopment disorder which impacts all areas of a child’s educational experience, including off-task behavior and reduced work completion. Elementary school teachers are responsible for educating students with attentional inefficiencies and related learning challenges. Teachers receive minimal pre-employment education or professional training regarding special needs and rely on specialists for guidance. An educator training program developed by an occupational therapist that is based on current evidence would be designed to offer the school community a universally applicable resource. School-based occupational therapists frequently address the varying occupational performance needs of children with attentional inefficiencies through consultation with educators. An opportunity exists for occupational therapists to expand this role and share their expertise through the development of a systematic and informative educator training program. This educator training program intends to inform teachers about the most current, evidence-based strategy to promote on-task behavior and class work completion in elementary aged students (5-10 years old); how to choose the most appropriate strategies; and how to implement a strategy. Categories to be presented include classroom modification, presentation modification, presentation modification, cognitive-behavioral approaches, sensory-motor approaches, and social-emotional considerations.
