Strategies for Helping Children with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Classroom and at School

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a long-term, chronic condition primarily characterized by severe hyperactivity, impulsivity, and/or inattentiveness. These symptoms appear early in a child's life, but often do not become particularly worrisome until the child enters school and his learning is impacted.

Regardless as to whether a child is taking medication to help him maintain his focus and control his behavior, behavioral interventions at home and within the learning environment are essential to his success. The following are strategies that can be implemented in the classroom and school environment that may help children with ADHD (or any attention-related problems) gain greater control over their behavior and reach their fullest potential:

1. Get the whole class up and moving every now and then. A brief stretch in the middle of a long class period or games such as "Around the World" to practice math facts and get all of the students moving at the same time can work wonders.

2. Consider letting students who really have a tough time sitting stand while they work.

3. Allow the student to shift in his seat, change seats, or move around every now and then.

4. Expect a child with ADHD to wiggle. He cannot sit completely still, and even if he could, he would be concentrating so hard on doing that that all instructions would go out the window. If other students are distracted by him, put him in the back of the room so he can get up, lean against the wall, etc.. If he gets out of his seat and wanders around the room, make sure it is really interfering with instruction before you make him sit down. Some teachers have students with ADHD move to a different chair approximately every fifteen minutes. The other children can and do get used to this. What really matters is whether the child in question gets his work done.

5. Many "busy" students need something to touch to keep their focus while you teach. Some teachers put a piece of sticky Velcro (the soft side) on the underside of the desk of a student with ADHD. The student can rub this Velcro while you teach and it helps with their impulse to move about.