Strategies for meeting the affective needs of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (who also often suffer from low self - esteem and lack of emotional control) include: (1) using positive, verbal reinforcement and affirmations; (2) teaching students to ask themselves if another person's criticism is valid; (3) establishing
classroom routines; (4) praising students for making good choices in highly emotional and
tense situations; and (5) providing students with guided choices.
Last year, seven New York schools partnered with animal rescue group North Shore Animal League to bring trained dogs into the
classroom to help comfort students, provide support to staff and defuse
tense situations with kids.