Strategies for ADHD  in the Classroom

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the umbrella term for three different types of disorders: the inattentive type, the hyperactive type, and a combination of the two. So, the strategies for inattentive type and hyperactivity type ADHD may differ. Most people with ADHD are of average or above-average intelligence. It is not that they cannot attend, it is that their attention varies. They may hyper focus on something that they are interested in but struggle to pay attention to things that are not as interesting.

Inattentive Type ADHD

For students with inattentive type ADHD, it is important that instruction be engaging. 

• Allow them to show their knowledge in different ways to incorporate their interests. It is more difficult for students with ADHD to pay attention for long periods, so they need help with lectures. 

• Provide lecture notes, or better yet, fill in the blank lecture notes to help them not miss important information from the lecture. 

• Make sure that you have the student’s attention before giving instructions. Often if they are not looking at you they are not tracking with you. 

• Keep instructions simple and short. Most students with ADHD struggle with working memory. 

• Keep the list of things you want them to do down to no more than 3 items. Oral instructions should be paired with written instructions. 

• Check in with the student from time to time to make sure that they understand what they are supposed to be doing. 

• Chunk large assignments into smaller tasks that go together to eventually produce the completed project. It helps to provide students with ADHD a seat away from distractions.

Generally speaking, students with ADHD have slower processing speed. Allow these students more time to process questions asked in class. Better yet, let them know that you will be asking them a question in a few minutes to allow them time to process an answer. Give these students more time for taking tests and finishing projects, especially essays.

Hyperactivity Type ADHD

Students with hyperactivity type ADHD need movement breaks. Allow them to sit on a ball or to stand at the back of the room. Allow them to stretch and move for 5 minutes after 15 – 20 minutes of sitting. Give them errands to run or allow them to distribute papers to other students.

Students with ADHD usually benefit from a quiet fidget as long as they do not disturb the rest of the class. Therapy putty is often a good choice, especially if the student has poor handwriting skills.

Some students with ADHD may be impulsive and blurt out answers. Using some behavior modification techniques can help them learn to control their excitement. Place a sticky note with a grid on their desk and when they catch themselves before they blurt out they can put a mark on their grid. After an agreed-on number of self-corrects, they are allowed to do something that interests them. Use proximity to help students with behavior and create a personal secret signal to help the student get back on track.

A great resource for everything ADHD is ADDitude magazine: https://www.additudemag.com/.

Other Resources

• ADHD and Executive Functioning

• ADHD Causes and Treatment