Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKeep Expectations ConsistentLimit DistractionsProvide Frequent FeedbackReward Good BehaviorGive Them a BreakUse Tools and Flexible RulesDon’t Overload ThemEncourage SupportFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Keep Expectations Consistent
Limit Distractions
Provide Frequent Feedback
Reward Good Behavior
Give Them a Break
Use Tools and Flexible Rules
Don’t Overload Them
Encourage Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Close
Approximately 9% of children in the United States between the ages of 13 and 18 have ADHD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is four times more likely to be diagnosed inboysthan ingirls.
Thestruggles that children with ADHDface, such as difficulty paying attention, may become apparent once they start school. As such, parents and teachers will need to work together to help kids learn to cope with their ADHD symptoms.
Kids and teens with ADHD have unique needs in the classroom. Here are some ADHD strategies that parents and teachers of students can use to help them succeed at school.
One of the most important ADHD strategies is to keep classroom rules clear and concise.Rules and expectations for the class should be regularly reviewed and updated when necessary. Rules should be posted in the classroom where they can be easily read.
It’s often useful to have a child repeat back rules, expectations, or other instructions to ensure that they understood. Teachers should keep in mind that a child may have heard the words that were said but misunderstood the meaning.
A child with ADHD may find it helpful to have an index card with the rules taped to their desk for quick reference.
For kids who struggle with time management and “shifting gears” from one task or class to the next, having a schedule handy and reviewing it often can make transitions go more smoothly. You can also use timers, taped time signals, or verbal cues to help a student see how much time is left for an activity.
If a child has an especially difficult time dealing with distractions, being seated near the front of the class close to the teacher may be helpful.
Listening to “white noise” or soft background music can actually improve focus and concentration for some kids with ADHD, though it can be a distraction for those children who don’t.
Another helpful ADHD strategy is to keep giving kids quick feedback about how they are doing. Kids with and without ADHD benefit from frequent, immediate feedback about their behavior.When necessary, any consequences given for unwanted behaviors should also be swift.
Provide immediate praise for good behavior. If a negative behavior is minimal and not disruptive, it’s best to ignore it.
Rewards and incentives should always be used before punishment to motivate a student. To prevent boredom, change up the rewards frequently.
Do not use the loss of recess as a consequence for negative behavior. Kids with ADHD benefit from physical activity and may be able to focus better after being outside or in gym class.
Prioritizing rewards over punishment will help ensure that school continues to feel like a positive place for kids with ADHD.
Breaks and regular activity can be important strategies for kids with ADHD. Kids with ADHD tend to struggle with sitting still for long periods of time, so giving them frequent opportunities to get up and move around can be a big help.
Does Your Child Have ADHD or Just High Energy?
Students with ADHD tend to be restless. While a standard classroom rule may be that students must sit in their seats during lessons, a child with ADHD may be able to stay on task better if they’re allowed to stand up.
For kids who tend to fidget, holding a small “Koosh Ball" or something tactile to manipulate (like Silly Putty) provides a little stimulation without disrupting the classroom.
Some studies have claimed that chewing gum may improve certain students' concentration, but the research has not been conclusive. Furthermore, many schools do not allow students to chew gum.
Do Fidget Spinners Work?
Kids with ADHD may also have sleep problems that affect their behavior and their ability to pay attention in class. In general, students tend to be “fresher” and less fatigued earlier in the day, thoughteens and college studentsare more likely to struggle with morning classes. It’s also not unusual for kids to have a bit of a slump after lunch.
If possible, plan to have the class tackle the most difficult academic subjects and assignments when they are most alert and engaged.
Children with ADHD may need extra help from a classroom aid, though these staff members are not always available. Likewise, access to academic support services for students with ADHD may not be in place.
Even if a child does have one-on-one help from an adult, it can sometimes be helpful to arrange for peer support. Pairing a student with ADHD up with a willing, kind, and mature classmate can be a beneficial experience for both kids. A child’s “study buddy” can give reminders, help them stay on task or refocus after being interrupted, and provide encouragement.
Working with another student can also help a child with ADHD improve their social skills and enhance the quality of their relationships with peers—both of which can be struggles for kids with ADHD.
How Coaching Can Help Kids With ADHD Focus
A Word From Verywell
A successful school strategy for a child with ADHD must meet the triad of academic instruction, behavioral interventions, and classroom accommodations. While the regular implementation of these strategies can make a world of difference to a child with ADHD, they will also benefit the whole classroom environment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBehavioral ADHD strategies that can help include using positive reinforcement, sticking to consistent routines, reducing distractions, taking regular breaks, encouring physical activity, and providing regular feedback.Six teaching strategies that can be helpful when working with students who have ADHD include:Focusing on short-term goalsBreaking projects down into smaller stepsRewarding good behavior and workTaking short breaks to help kids release energyCommunicating directions clearly and consistentlyProviding tools and direction that help kids stay organized
Behavioral ADHD strategies that can help include using positive reinforcement, sticking to consistent routines, reducing distractions, taking regular breaks, encouring physical activity, and providing regular feedback.
Six teaching strategies that can be helpful when working with students who have ADHD include:Focusing on short-term goalsBreaking projects down into smaller stepsRewarding good behavior and workTaking short breaks to help kids release energyCommunicating directions clearly and consistentlyProviding tools and direction that help kids stay organized
Six teaching strategies that can be helpful when working with students who have ADHD include:
Where to Find ADHD Resources
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Mental Health.Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Rief SF.How To Reach And Teach Children with ADD / ADHD. 2nd ed. Hoboken, New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons; 2012.
Söderlund, GB, Sikström, S, Loftesnes, JM, Sonuga-Barke EJ.The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children.Behav Brain Funct6, 55 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-9081-6-55
Tucha L, Simpson W, Evans L, Birrel L, Sontag TA, Lang KW, et al.Detrimental effects of gum chewing on vigilance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Appetite. 2010;55(3):679–684. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2010.10.001
Lucas I, Mulraney M, Sciberras E.Sleep problems and daytime sleepiness in children with ADHD: Associations with social, emotional, and behavioral functioning at school, a cross-sectional study.Behav Sleep Med. 2019;17(4):411–422. doi:10.1080/15402002.2017.1376207
Chiang HL, Gau SS.Impact of executive functions on school and peer functions in youths with ADHD.Res Dev Disabil. 2014;35(5):963–972. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.010
DuPaul GJ, Jimerson SR.Assessing, understanding, and supporting students with ADHD at school: contemporary science, practice, and policy.Sch Psychol Q. 2014;29(4):379–384. doi:10.1037/spq0000104United States Department of Education.Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices.
DuPaul GJ, Jimerson SR.Assessing, understanding, and supporting students with ADHD at school: contemporary science, practice, and policy.Sch Psychol Q. 2014;29(4):379–384. doi:10.1037/spq0000104
United States Department of Education.Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices.
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