To make this blog more useful, I have decided to add weekly news and/or expert advice gathered from my reading and research in addition to my life experiences with my ADHD child. Please comment if there's a topic you'd like me to cover.Classroom modifications for successful school experience for ADHD kids It's no secret that a typical classroom is an overwhelming place for a child with
ADHD. It is overloaded with sensory input and distractions, extraordinary challenges, and peers who seem smarter and more capable than themselves. Diagnosis itself can help with self-
esteem in a child who is old enough to understand the basics of their
ADHD when explained to them. However, the parents, child, and school staff acknowledging the child has
ADHD does nothing to cultivate their school success. Modifications must be made to expectations and to classroom management.
Following are the top classroom management techniques and
accommodations recommended by top experts and physicians in behavioral specialties. Keep in mind, it is crucial that all adjustments be made in a way as to not draw negative attention to the student. Avoid public identification; it is important not to embarrass the child.
- Implement a POSITIVE behavior plan. Focus on praising and rewarding positive behaviors so they will seek out that positive attention again and again. This should be implemented in all classrooms, not just those with ADHD students. Often children with ADHD require immediate rewards but elementary classroom discipline programs offer long-term rewards.
For instance, my son's first grade teacher hands out play money based on the behavior of each student at the end of each day. At the end of the week they can "purchase" items from the treasure box -- the more they earned during the week, the better the prize. This did not motivate my son to change his behaviors -- he needs more immediate rewards. So his teacher created a behavior chart just for him based on the behaviors he most needed to improve. At the end of each day he gets to choose an item from the treasure box if he received enough total stickers that day. This has really turned around some unwanted behaviors for him!
- Discover the ADHD child's strengths and build on them. So often the deficiencies of the ADHD child get the most focus. Everyone knows "that child" because they stand out as being different for their inabilities. All ADHD children have talents and strengths and it can be a great boost to their self-esteem and set a new image when the strengths are the focus, not the weaknesses.
- Seat the student close to the teacher and away from heavy traffic areas such as doors, windows, pencil sharpeners, etc. Children with ADHD often can't distinguish between important incoming information and unimportant information. Separating them from as much sensory stimulation as possible is helpful.
My son's teacher placed him off to the side of the bulk of the students and gave him his own area ( delineated with tape on the carpet around his desk) within which he is allowed to move and still be considered "staying in his seat." This way he is not distracting the other students with his fidgeting but still allowed to move around a bit, something out of his control.
- Have a second set of books for middle and high school students-- one for home and one for school. This will alleviate some of the classic disorganization struggle of the ADHD child. They don't have to stress to remember which books to bring home and then experience suffering grades when they forget the necessary books to complete their assignments.
- Post a daily schedule. Everyone with ADHD needs structure.
For elementary students, post a daily schedule on the wall where the children can reference it at any time. Also, be sure a transition warning is given when the current activity is coming to a close -- "5 more minutes before we clean up and go to P.E."
For children who change classes (typically middle and high school), create an assignment notebook. Take a 3-ring binder and affix their daily schedule to the front of the notebook (the bigger the better) -- the "view" binders where you can slide the schedule inside a clear plastic cover are the best. Inside, place some blank notebook paper -- each new day the date is written at the top of the next clean page and this is the only place the student is to write down assignments. It's best to create a chart with blanks for the class, assignment necessary resources (notes, books, etc), and due date ( click here to download the one I created). Many ADHD students have handwriting deficiencies and would be best served to have the assignment given to them in written form. If this is part of your child's IEP and/or 504 Plan with the school, the student can insert the daily assignments in the correct order.
- Ask the ADHD child to repeat instructions back to you. Whether a teacher in the classroom or a parent in the home, have the child repeat instructions back to you to ensure they were paying attention when instructionswere given but to also be sure they understood the instructions. Simplify instructions and tasks -- complex, multi-part instructions will be very difficult for the ADHD child. Another great tip that falls into this category is to place your hand lightly on the child's shoulders when giving instruction. This is a physical cue to listen up. We are implementing this at home with great success.
- Provide alternatives to note taking. Handwriting struggles as well as the inability to focus on a long lecture can make it difficult if not impossible for the ADHD student to take complete and accurate notes. Some alternatives include: (1) teacher providing written notes on their lectures or copying notes from a reliable student; (2) allowing the ADHD student to tape record the lecture; (3) provide a laptop to the student for note taking (most people with ADHD, even young children, are very tech-savvy).
- Allow extra time to complete assignments and tests. A student who is easily distracted is going to need more time to complete assignments and tests than your "average" student. So often, students with ADHD also have learning disabilities or motor skill deficiencies that slow them down as well. The additional time should be scaled based on that particular student's needs.
- Use visuals. Students with ADHD are usually visual learners. Including photos, charts, flashcards, etc in the lesson will likely keep their attention better. The same goes for physical, hands-on learning.
- Promote leadership and accountability. The ADHD child struggles with their reputation among classmates and, unfortunately, often with school staff as well. They should be given tasks/jobs within the classroom and especially within small peer groups that they are easily capable of succeeding in. This will improve their self-image and the approval of others.
By law, most ADHD children are entitled to free special education services through the public school system and classroom accommodations to ensure they receive appropriate education. Aside from a knowledgeable and proactive teacher implementing some of these modifications in their classroom on their own, you will have to request that your child be placed in these programs and receive the appropriate services and accommodations. To read more about the laws surrounding this (IDEA, an IEP and 504 Plan) and what your child is entitled to, visit www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/Policy/IDEA.
You are yourADHD child's best advocate. You know your child better than anyone else. Fight for your child's school success by insisting on necessary classroom accommodations.
Sources and more articles on this subject:
- http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1664.html
- http://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/parent-advocate/our-children-often-learn-differ
- http://addwarehouse.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/article4.htm
- Classroom Management Techniques for Students with Attention Problems as distributed by Dr. Adrian Sandler, Olson Huff Center for Child Development, Mission St. Joseph's, Asheville, NC
- http://www.adhdinfo.com/info/parents/caring/par_classroom_needs_tips.jsp?checked usertrack.filter_applied=true& NovaId =3350119544726715345
- http://www.attentiondeficit-info.com/pdf/classroom-accommodations-students-adhd.
Classroom modifications for successful school experience for ADHD kids
It's no secret that a typical classroom is an overwhelming place for a child with ADHD. It is overloaded with sensory input and distractions, extraordinary challenges, and peers who seem smarter and more capable than themselves. Diagnosis itself can help with self- esteem in a child who is old enough to understand the basics of their ADHD when explained to them. However, the parents, child, and school staff acknowledging the child has ADHD does nothing to cultivate their school success. Modifications must be made to expectations and to classroom management.
Following are the top classroom management techniques and accommodations recommended by top experts and physicians in behavioral specialties. Keep in mind, it is crucial that all adjustments be made in a way as to not draw negative attention to the student. Avoid public identification; it is important not to embarrass the child.
For instance, my son's first grade teacher hands out play money based on the behavior of each student at the end of each day. At the end of the week they can "purchase" items from the treasure box -- the more they earned during the week, the better the prize. This did not motivate my son to change his behaviors -- he needs more immediate rewards. So his teacher created a behavior chart just for him based on the behaviors he most needed to improve. At the end of each day he gets to choose an item from the treasure box if he received enough total stickers that day. This has really turned around some unwanted behaviors for him!
My son's teacher placed him off to the side of the bulk of the students and gave him his own area ( delineated with tape on the carpet around his desk) within which he is allowed to move and still be considered "staying in his seat." This way he is not distracting the other students with his fidgeting but still allowed to move around a bit, something out of his control.
For elementary students, post a daily schedule on the wall where the children can reference it at any time. Also, be sure a transition warning is given when the current activity is coming to a close -- "5 more minutes before we clean up and go to P.E."
For children who change classes (typically middle and high school), create an assignment notebook. Take a 3-ring binder and affix their daily schedule to the front of the notebook (the bigger the better) -- the "view" binders where you can slide the schedule inside a clear plastic cover are the best. Inside, place some blank notebook paper -- each new day the date is written at the top of the next clean page and this is the only place the student is to write down assignments. It's best to create a chart with blanks for the class, assignment necessary resources (notes, books, etc), and due date ( click here to download the one I created). Many ADHD students have handwriting deficiencies and would be best served to have the assignment given to them in written form. If this is part of your child's IEP and/or 504 Plan with the school, the student can insert the daily assignments in the correct order.
By law, most ADHD children are entitled to free special education services through the public school system and classroom accommodations to ensure they receive appropriate education. Aside from a knowledgeable and proactive teacher implementing some of these modifications in their classroom on their own, you will have to request that your child be placed in these programs and receive the appropriate services and accommodations. To read more about the laws surrounding this (IDEA, an IEP and 504 Plan) and what your child is entitled to, visit www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/Policy/IDEA.
You are yourADHD child's best advocate. You know your child better than anyone else. Fight for your child's school success by insisting on necessary classroom accommodations.
Sources and more articles on this subject: