In regard to diagnosing whether a student is having difficulties learning because of depression or ADHD:
   
  I am not a doctor. It's my job to provide appropriate instruction, not to prescribe treatment or medication. If a student needs treatment or medication, it is my responsibility to refer to someone qualifies to diagnose and treat her. If the student does not need medical attention, I will provide quality instruction that suits the student. For all students, including those with trouble learning, this means:
  1. I am explicit about the purpose of the lessons--"We are going to do x, y, and z so you can learn about a, b and c."
  2. I make the learning interactive and participatory
  3. I engage students to pick themes for instruction that are meaningful to them. 
  4. I am explicit about the steps of the lesson and how long we will be on each step
  5. I employ methods that let the students learn auditorially, visually, kinesthetically, and in any other way I can think of
  6. We review progress. I talk to my students about what they are learning and not learning, so I can adjust my speed and my curriculum. It also lets them know where they stand. 
   
  This is actually good practice for ALL students, the results might be different for ADHD, LD, or depressed students.
   
  LD experts I know say there is no reason to "diagnose" students UNLESS they need this for access to entitlements or accommodations. If they do need a diagnosis, as I said above, someone else, not the teacher, has to provide this.
   
  Bruce Carmel
  Turning Point
  Brooklyn NY
   
  

Tasha Marsden <tasham at literacy-source.org> wrote:
      Good Afternoon Everyone.
   
  I work at a Volunteer Literacy center and a tutor asked me today how she might differentiate the difficulties her student is having with depression versus the struggles she might encounter with her ADHD. The student has already indicated that she would like to improve her reading comprehension and she tunes out after a certain point in conversation. These issues are compounded by the fact that the learner also has hearing loss so in conversation she isn't getting 100% of the message.
   
  It is an interesting question and one I'm afraid that I don't have the answer. Can anyone help me with suggestions to pass on to this tutor?
   
  Thank you,
   
  Tasha Marsden
  Adult Basic Education & Technology Instruction
  Literacy Source, 720 N.35 St., Seattle, WA 98103
  Phone: 206.782.2050 | Fax: 206.781.2583
  Web: www.literacysource.org
  Blog: www.literacysource.wordpress.com
   
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