ADHD in the Classroom & How to manage it?

A Quick Guide

Once children with ADHD begin school, they may experience difficulties like trouble paying attention in the classroom. As a result, parents and educators must collaborate to assist children to learn to manage their ADHD symptoms. Read more to find out about how ADHD affects children in the classroom and how to manage it.

Understanding ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is characterized by difficulties with attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity. Though it typically starts in childhood, a diagnosis may not happen until adolescence or maturity. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 9% of American children between the ages of 13 and 18 have ADHD. Boys are four times more likely than females to have it diagnosed. 

How Does ADHD Affect Children in the Classroom?

ADHD can impair a student’s capacity for concentration, focus, attention, and effort when completing coursework. A student with ADHD may also get agitated, restless, or talk excessively or disturb the class. Children with ADHD may also struggle academically due to learning impairments.

The majority of children with ADHD begin school prior to receiving a diagnosis. Oftentimes, teachers are the first to identify possible ADHD symptoms. They could discuss it with the primary carer. The carer might then ask a medical professional to assess the child to determine if he or she has ADHD.

How can teachers support children with ADHD in the classroom?

If your child has ADHD, inform all of the teachers. Teachers can assist you in determining whether your child requires a 504 plan or an IEP (individual education program):

• A 504 plan offers services and modifies the educational environment to accommodate the requirements of the child.
• IEPs are written plans that outline the specific special education needs of each student and any related services. The teacher of your child may advise an assessment to determine whether your child may be assisted by an IEP.

Accommodations

Students who need accommodations to manage their ADHD may be eligible for them through IEPs and 504 Plans, which include:

• Allowing time for breaks or movement.
• Changes to the surroundings to reduce distractions.
• Extra support for maintaining organization.
• Extra time for tests.
• Personalized instruction and homework assignments.
• Positive feedback and reinforcement.
• Utilizing technology to help with activities.

There isn’t much data on the kinds of accommodations that work best for kids with ADHD. However, there is proof that establishing clear objectives, offering quick positive reinforcement, and interacting daily with parents via a daily report card can all be beneficial.

8 simple classroom strategies to Manage ADHD

In the classroom, children and teenagers with ADHD have specific requirements. Here are some methods for helping students with ADHD succeed in the classroom that parents and teachers can employ.

Allow them a break

Giving children with ADHD many opportunities to stand up and move around can be quite helpful because they frequently struggle with sitting still for extended periods of time. By having them distribute or collect papers or classroom supplies, run errands to the office or another area of the school, or erase the board, you can give them a physical break. A brief period of activity can be created by doing something as easy as allowing them to go get a sip of water from the water fountain.

Avoid overloading them

By dividing the whole workload into smaller portions, it can be beneficial for an ADHD child who is prone to feeling overwhelmed. By providing clear one- or two-step instructions, teachers can prevent their students from feeling overwhelmed with information.

Sleep issues in children with ADHD can also have an impact on their behavior and ability to pay attention in class. Although teens and college students are more likely to struggle in the morning, students, in general, tend to be “fresher” and less worn out earlier in the day. Additionally, it’s common for children to feel a little down after lunch. If at all possible, schedule the class’s most challenging academic subjects and assignments for when they are alert and engaged.

Decrease Distractions

Due to their susceptibility to distractions, students with ADHD may benefit from being seated away from potential classroom disruptions such as doorways, windows, and cubby spaces. As far as you can, try to keep the room free of additional distractions like loud music or distracting visuals like clutter.

Being seated near the front of the class, close to the teacher, may be beneficial if a child has a very hard time managing distractions. Some children with ADHD find that listening to “white noise” or relaxing background music helps them focus and concentrate better, however, other children may find it distracting. It mostly depends on individual preferences. 

Encourage Help

Although these staff members aren’t always present, children with ADHD could benefit from extra assistance from a classroom assistant. Similarly, students with ADHD might not have access to academic assistance resources. Even if a child receives one-on-one assistance from an adult, setting up peer support may occasionally be beneficial. A student with ADHD may benefit from being paired with a cooperative, sympathetic, and mature classmate. A child’s “study buddy” can give encouragement, and reminders, and help them refocus after being distracted.

Give Regular Feedback

Frequent, prompt feedback on behavior is advantageous for students of all ages, including those with ADHD. On the other hand, any punishments for undesirable behaviors should be swiftly applied as necessary as well. Give positive feedback right away for good behavior. It is advisable to ignore unpleasant behavior that is mild and not disruptive.

Maintain consistent expectations 

The rules for the classroom should be simple and unambiguous.   The curriculum’s guidelines and expectations ought to be periodically evaluated and revised as appropriate. Rules ought to be visible and easy to read in the classroom.

To make sure they comprehended rules, expectations, or other instructions, it can be helpful to ask a child to repeat them again. Teachers need to be aware that a child might have heard what was said but not understood what it meant. It might be useful for a child with ADHD to have an index card with the rules posted to their desk for easy access.

Having a schedule on hand and frequently reviewing it might help transitions go more smoothly for children who have trouble managing their time and “changing gears” from one work or lesson to the next. To help a student understand how much time is left for an activity, you can also utilize timers, taped time signs, or verbal clues.

Make use of tools and flexible rules

ADHD students frequently exhibit restlessness. While it may be the norm for children to sit in their chairs during lectures, allowing a child with ADHD to stand up may help them focus better.

Holding a little “Koosh Ball” or another tactile object to manipulate (like Silly Putty) can give some stimulation for children who tend to fidget without disturbing the lesson. Although some studies have suggested that chewing gum may help some kids focus better, the evidence is still inconclusive. Additionally, several schools forbid students from chewing gum.

Reward Appropriate Behaviors

To inspire a child, rewards, and incentives should always come before punishment. Change up the prizes periodically to prevent monotony. Recess loss should not be used as a punishment for bad behavior.

Children with ADHD benefit from exercise and may be better able to concentrate after playing outside or attending gym class. Rewarding good behavior more than punishing bad behavior will help to maintain a pleasant school environment for ADHD students.

A child with ADHD who is working with another student can also improve their social skills and the quality of their connections with peers, two things that can be challenging for children with ADHD.

We hope you found this article useful in learning more about how ADHD looks in the classroom and the best strategies for effective management. 

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