Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can present challenges in the classroom for the estimated 7 million children who live with ADHD. While your child may have ADHD, it’s important to remember it doesn’t define your child’s potential. With the right support and accommodations, your child with ADHD can thrive in school and reach their full academic potential.
In this blog post, we’ll be showcasing some accommodations that can create a positive learning environment.
The classroom struggle: How ADHD can impact learning
ADHD affects the brain’s ability to regulate attention, focus, and impulsivity. This can manifest in different ways at school, such as:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Organizational challenges
- Hyperactivity and fidgeting
- Impulsive behaviors
- Emotional dysregulation
These challenges can make it tough for children with ADHD to keep up with academic demands and participate fully in class activities. However, by adding certain accommodations, your child can have a level playing field with a created space where they can learn and succeed.
Free resource: Student Success Kit
Accommodations for success: Helping your child shine
The good news is that there are a variety of accommodations that can help significantly improve your child’s learning experience. Accommodations that can help your child with ADHD in the classroom include:
- Preferential seating — Strategically placing your child’s desk can help make a big difference. Preferred seating choices that can be beneficial can be sitting near the teacher, away from distractions like windows or doorways, or even in a quiet corner of the classroom. Maybe even explore flexible seating options like wobble chairs, balance balls or standing desks that can allow for controlled movement. For younger children, a taped box around their area can also provide them with wiggle room and still be considered in their seat.
- Organization — Visual aids can be incredibly helpful for children with ADHD. Work with the teacher to create clear daily schedules, checklists for assignments and color-coding systems for different subjects. These visual prompts can help your child stay organized and on track.
- Distractions — Distractions can be minimized in the classroom environment by keeping their clutter to a minimum and maintaining a noise-canceling environment as much as possible. These accommodations can also be used during testing to make testing a smoother process.
- Chunking information — Breaking down large projects and assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks can make them less overwhelming and let your child focus on one step at a time.
- Clear instructions — Using auditory cueing to deliver clear and concise instructions can help make sure your child’s attention is on the teacher when instructions are given. Repeating instructions or rephrasing them in different ways may be necessary for better understanding. Written instructions are also helpful and can be incorporated into an assignment book, which can also help with organization.
- Extended time — Allowing your child to have extra time to complete assignments and tests can make a big difference. ADHD can make it harder for them to process information as quickly as their peers. Using a stopwatch can allow your child to use the same amount of time for testing but in an extended time capacity. They can pause their time to take a quick movement break and then restart the timer when their break is over. This can help them effectively manage their time.
- Positive reinforcement — A positive reinforcement system, including praise for positive behavior and effort, using reward charts or point systems can be a great motivator.
- Movement breaks — Short breaks throughout the day can enable your child to move around and refocus. This could be a quick walk around the classroom, walking to the water fountain, running an errand for the teacher, or even some simple stretches.
- Fidget aids — Your child could discreetly channel their energy without disrupting the class by touching a textured strip of tape or the rough side of Velcro that’s been attached to the underside of their desk.
504 vs. IEP: Understanding the difference
To help make sure you are on the same page with your child’s school, you may want to have a 504 or Individualized Education Program (IEP) put in place for your child’s ADHD accommodations.
- 504 plan — A 504 plan is a legal document outlining accommodations that ensure that your child with ADHD has equal access to educational opportunities. It focuses on providing accommodations that help your child keep up with the general curriculum without altering content or expectations. A 504 plan is typically less formal than an IEP. It may have accommodations like extended time, preferential seating, or the use of graphic organizers.
- IEP — An IEP is a more comprehensive legal document designed for students with disabilities who require significant accommodations to the general curriculum to access education effectively. This plan may include modified learning goals, specialized instruction, related services like speech or occupational therapy, and specific accommodations.
The right choice for your child will depend on the severity of their ADHD and their specific needs. A team of educators, including their teachers, a special education specialist, and potentially a psychologist, and you as the parent will have a sit-down meeting to discuss your child’s needs and which accommodation route is best.
Beyond BookSmart can help you navigate the world of ADHD accommodations to set your child up for academic success
While textbooks may outline academic knowledge, the true path to success for your child with ADHD lies beyond their pages. It’s paved with understanding, collaboration, and a commitment to providing effective accommodations. Through open communication with your child’s school, exploring options like 504 plans or IEPs, and working together as a team, you can create a learning environment that fosters your child’s strengths and celebrates their unique learning style.
At Beyond BookSmart, we believe in supporting the potential in every child. With the right support system and a focus on both accommodations and your child’s individual strengths, you can empower them to reach their full potential and unlock a world of academic achievement and personal growth.
We offer Executive Function coaching services to help students develop and improve the skills they need to create an effective and workable study routine. Executive Function skills are coachable, trainable, and can be applied for success. Whether your child has a learning difference, an emotional challenge, such as anxiety, or they’re just struggling to reach their Executive Function potential, Beyond BookSmart services can help them see what they’re capable of.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an inquiry call.