How to Teach Students with ADHD
Practical Ideas for Maximizing Instruction in the Classroom
Nov 18, 2008
When a child with ADHD becomes over stimulated, he may become upset and will exhibit many of the classic symptoms of ADHD. Learning how to prepare your activities, give directions and appropriately praise and correct these students will allow them to be successful in your classroom.
Preparing Activities for a Student with ADHD
Teach to all learning styles at once. Whenever possible, provide an activity that provides hands-on, audio and visual stimulation. This way, whether distracted by the audio stimulation, visual stimulation or hands on stimulation, the child will still be learning. Focus on bringing out the child’s strengths during these activities as well.
When the child becomes fidgety, won’t stay in the chair or can’t pay attention any longer, have a plan that you can put in place right away. Designate a “thinking space” or “hedgehog space”. This can be where the child can retreat whenever needed. It is not a punishment place and should never be used as such – it a place to go to calm down. The child needs to choose to go to this space and not be sent there. Reducing unnecessary noise, movement and clutter in the classroom will help prevent over stimulation leading to the use of this space.
If the child is restless, let him stand to do his work. Purposefully transition the child between activities. Give a warning that the activity will be over in 5 minutes. Then allow for a quiet time such as reading a book or drawing before attempting another activity. This will allow the child to slow down some and prepare for a quiet activity that requires focus, and is especially helpful when transitioning from a more active period.
Teach organization. Show the child how to put things away and where things belong in the classroom. Label places if necessary. Color code binders and folders and consistently use the colors. Have the student keep an agenda to organize assignments and to communicate with the parent.
Giving Directions to a Student with ADHD
Make directions clear and short. You will most likely need to repeat them several times as well. An example of an appropriate direction: Put this paper in your book bag right now. Require and expect an immediate response to directions, and remain close to the student to immediately redirect any off task behavior.
Break a task up into small steps. For example: Bring me your book bag. Get out your binder. Get your completed homework out. Put the completed homework in the bin. Be ready to provide the next direction quickly.
Appropriate Praise and Correction for a Student with ADHD
Praise correct and appropriate responses. A child with ADHD is corrected over and over each day, so take time to specifically praise something he does. For example: instead of saying “good job” say “Yay! You followed all the directions!” Understand that the child will have difficult days and help him through each day as it comes.
Prompt often. Prompting refers to the gentle verbal reminders to start, continue or complete an assignment. Often a child with ADHD will need several prompts to accomplish any number of tasks throughout the day. When the child does become distracted, do not get angry, instead, redirect or prompt him back to task.
When working with a student that has ADHD, much thought should be put into the planning of activities to help maximize instructional time and minimize excess stimuli. Patience when giving appropriate directions, praise and correction will allow for a more successful school experience for the child.
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