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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What are some strategies I should consider and/or implement when I have a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in my classroom?"There are several strategies one can consider when working with a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While there are many strategies it is important to keep in mind that not every strategy will work for every child. You may need to experiment and try different strategies until you find one(s) that work well for your particular child. Also remember that under the umbrella of ADHD, some students may demonstrate more hyperactivity, others may demonstrate more impulsivity, and additional children may demonstrate more attention issues.
Strategies for children with attention issues:
- Pause and create suspense before asking questions
- Randomly pick children to read and/or respond to questions
- Signal to the student that he/she is going to be asked to respond to a question
- Embed a student’s name into the question or context of material
- Stand close to the student and even touch him/her on the shoulder
- Give shorter assignments or lessons
- Hand out work in chunks (too many assignments at one time is overwhelming)
- Walk around the room while presenting a lesson, leading a discussion, or asking questions
- Alternate between physical and mental activities
- Provide a natural break for the student to walk to get a drink, sharpen a pencil, throw something away, etc.
- Incorporate a student’s interests into the lesson plan or context
- Give clear, concrete instructions
- Teach children self-monitoring strategies
- Use a soft voice to give directions
Strategies for children with impulsivity issues:
- Establish a cue between yourself and the student
- Create a habit of pausing before answering a question and have other students pause after a question is asked as well before they answer
- Have the student repeat the question before s/he answers
- Play attention and listening games
- Value, and communicate the value, of accuracy over speed when completing work
- Evaluate your tempo as the teacher and adjust accordingly
- Provide a length of time for the student to work on an assignment (i.e. use the wall clock or provide the student with a timer)
- Teach the student self-talk
- Encourage and help the student plan by creating a list, using a calendar or chart
- Remove and reduce unneeded stimulation from the room