Millions of children around the world are affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This common childhood disorder leads to challenges in school that disrupt learning as children have difficulty remaining focused and struggle with impulse control and hyperactivity. However, there are several effective strategies that schools can implement to help children with ADHD succeed academically and socially.
Today, we are delving into seven different ways schools can help students with ADHD. To help students with this disorder, it is important for teachers to create a supportive environment that promotes focus, engagement, and organization. These strategies are not only beneficial to children with ADHD but also to other students.
1. Establish a Set Routine and Schedule
Children with ADHD function better with a routine and consistency. Creating a routine that tracks classroom activities helps them to know what to expect and when to focus on different tasks. If teachers and students follow a predictable schedule, children with ADHD will feel less anxiety. When the schedule is visually represented by charts or calendars, these serve as helpful reminders, and students with ADHD can stay on track throughout the day.
2. Implement Clear Rewards and Consequences
An effective strategy that promotes positive behaviour is by creating a system of rewards and consequences. Children with ADHD will feel more motivated to be good and participate in school activities when they are rewarded by points or tokens. Children can receive points and tokens for following instructions or completing tasks, and when these tokens are exchangeable for small gifts or privileges, it reinforces the importance of being a good student. Similarly, teachers can deduct points or tokens and set other consequences for not following the rules to help children with ADHD understand the boundaries.
3. Frequent Communication with Parents
Regular communication between the school and parents is essential in supporting children with ADHD. Teachers can send home daily or weekly behaviour charts or reports, updating parents about their child’s academic performance and behaviour in school. This can help the parents to understand the areas that their child may be struggling with and reinforce positive behaviours at home that can help their child overcome the challenges in school.
4. Seating Arrangements
Children with ADHD are also affected by their learning environments. The right seating arrangement, such as being close to the teacher, can minimise distractions, promote engagement, and allow teachers to monitor them. Having the teacher close by can also allow the teacher to frequently remind the child and offer guidance.
5. Small Group Activities
Rather than a classroom full of students, it is best to have a smaller group of students. Large groups can be distracting, while small groups or one-on-one activities can help them focus better and engage more fully in the lesson. The smaller the task is, the more manageable it is for children with ADHD. They are more likely to stay engaged and complete the work successfully.
6. Encourage Pauses Before Responding
For children with ADHD, it is difficult to control their impulses. Teachers can encourage students to pause for a moment before answering questions to help them think more carefully and respond more appropriately. This approach can reduce impulsive behaviour and improve the quality of their interactions in the classroom.
7. Modify Assignments
When class assignments are too lengthy, it is more challenging for children with ADHD to remain focused on it and complete it. The length and complexity can lead to them feeling overwhelmed. Teachers can help these students by breaking the task into smaller sizes so that it is easier for them to manage it without becoming frustrated. Offering additional time for completion can also relieve the pressure of tight deadlines, allowing the child to produce quality work without feeling rushed.
