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10 Proven Strategies for Teaching Students with ADHD in 2023

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Discover 10 strategies for teaching students with ADHD effectively. Learn how to establish routines, cultivate mindfulness, and boost their academic success.

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Parents: Is your child's teacher doing everything possible to support learning? Teachers often dictate the success or failure of a child's education - particularly if that child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD).

Next to parents, teachers are the most influential people in a student's life. The best teacher will develop ADHD strategies to show students that they are capable and worthwhile.

Here are some strategies for teaching children with ADHD that work to establish a supportive, structured classroom that will encourage learning, enforce discipline, and boost self-esteem.

Strategies for Students with ADHD

Assign work that suits the student's skill level. Students with ADHD will avoid classwork that is too difficult or too long.

Offer choices. Children with ADHD who are given choices for completing an activity produce more work, are more compliant, and act less negative. Establish, for instance, a list of 15 activity choices for practicing spelling words like writing words on flash cards, using them in a sentence, or air-writing words.
[Get This Download: How to Teach Children with ADHD - Classroom Challenges & Solutions]

Provide visual reminders. Students with ADHD respond well to visual cues and examples. For instance, demonstrate a skill like essay writing on an overhead projector or on the board. When children get to their independent work, leave key points about a topic visible on the board. Post important concepts the children will use again and again on brightly colored poster board around the room.

Increase active class participation. Group strategies include asking students to write their answers on dry-erase white boards and showing them to the teacher, asking students to answer questions in unison (choral response), having students give a thumbs up or down if the answer to the question is yes or no - a level palm, if they don't know the answer. Paired learning is also effective. Have students work through a problem in a group and discuss for maximized understanding.

Encourage hands-on learning. Create learning opportunities where children experience things first-hand. Have students write and act out a play, record an assignment on videotape or take apart and put together a model of a miniature eyeball when studying the human body.

Establish Rules & Routines for ADHD Students

Post classroom rules for student with and without ADHD. With input from students, establish short, simple classroom rules. State them in positive terms that convey what you want students to do.
For example, instead of saying: "No loud talking when you come into class," say, "When you come into class, check the assignment on the board and start working quietly." Or, "Sit down first and then you may talk quietly with your neighbor until I start teaching."

[Click to Download: 10 Teaching Strategies that Help Students with ADHD]

Establish classroom routines. This will help students with ADHD stay on task. Routines for all students can include: homework always being written on the board, "row captains" checking to see that assignments are written and that completed work is picked up, etc. Students with ADHD can check in with the classroom aide at the end of the day to make sure they understand the homework assignment and what's required of them.

Give appropriate supervision to ADHD students. Children with ADHD require more supervision than their peers because of their delayed maturity, forgetfulness, distractibility, and disorganization. Help these students by pairing them with classmates who can remind them of homework and classwork, using student partners to team up on a project, and involving classroom aides as much as you can during and after class.

Offer Accommodations for ADHD in the Classroom

Some students with ADHD may need school accommodations to address academic challenges. Make sure they get them. Some accommodations can be as easy as monitoring the student's work and developing a plan to help him not fall behind and even accepting the occasional late assignment - this can give the student confidence and get her back on track.

Other common ADHD accommodations include:

Extended time on tests

Shortened assignments

Instruction in note-taking or designating a class notetaker

Segmented assignments for long-term projects (with separate due dates and grades).

The Attention Deficit Disorder Association ( ADDA) makes the following recommendations for accommodations:

Reduce potential distractions. Always seat students who have problems with focus near the source of instruction and/or stand near student when giving instructions in order to help the student by reducing barriers and distractions between him and the lesson. Always seat this student in a low-distraction work area in the classroom.

Use positive peer models. Encourage the student to sit near positive role models to ease the distractions from other students with challenging or diverting behaviors.

Prepare for transitions. Remind the student about what is coming next (next class, recess, time for a different book, etc.). For special events like field trips or other activities, be sure to give plenty of advance notice and reminders. Help the student in preparing for the end of the day and going home, supervise the student's book bag for necessary items needed for homework.

Allow for movement. Allow the student to move around or fidget, preferably by creating reasons for the movement. Provide opportunities for physical action - do an errand, wash the blackboard, get a drink of water, go to the bathroom, etc. If this is not practical, then permit the student to play with small objects kept in their desks that can be manipulated quietly, such as a soft squeeze ball, if it isn't too distracting.

Let the children play. Recess can actually promote focus in children with ADHD so don't use it as a time to make-up missed schoolwork or as punishment as you might for other students.

Focus on the Positive

Establish a positive relationship with students who have ADHD. Greet them by name as they enter the classroom or when calling on them in class. Create a class bulletin board for posting students' academic and extracurricular interests, photographs, artwork, and/or accomplishments.

Provide frequent, positive feedback. Students with ADHD respond best to feedback that is immediate. Use positive praise, such as "You're doing a great job" or "Now you've got it." If a student's answer is incorrect, say, "Let's talk this through" or "Does that sound right to you?"

Ask questions rather than reprimand. If the student misbehaves, in class, ask, "Is that a good choice or a bad choice?" The student will get the message that his behavior is inappropriate.

Partner with Parents

For best results, teachers must partner with the parents to ensure that their child is ready to learn in the classroom. Here are some guidelines to share with the parents of your students with ADHD:

Communicate regularly with the teacher about problems.

See that your child's ADHD medication is working effectively at school and during homework sessions.

Help your child organize papers for evening homework and prepare for the next school day.

Watch your child put completed homework in the proper folder.

Monitor completion of work in the classes that he is in danger of failing.

Save all completed homework until the semester is over.

Talk with the teacher about using a daily or weekly report, if needed.

[Your Free Download: The Teacher's Guide to Better Assignments for Students with ADHD]

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Teaching Strategies for Students with ADHD: Ideas to Help Every Child Shine

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Your child's teacher is your partner in a fair and equitable education, but does she have the ADHD tools she needs? The following ADHD teaching strategies will help all students - but especially those with ADD - learn to the best of their ability in any classroom.

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COVID & Kids' Mental Health - Child Mind Institute

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Whether you're investigating your concerns or researching a particular diagnosis, we offer the most current thinking from experts and the experience of families who've been through it.

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Brain gym - 2 | simple brain gym hand exercises | 7 ultimate brain boosting excercises | brain storm

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https://www.arcademics.com/

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Arcademics - Math Games, Language Arts Games, and More

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Fun and free educational games for kids in K-8. Featuring multiplayer learning games, math games, language arts games, and much more!

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It's the beginning of the school year and I'm sure everything is all sunshine and rainbows {or maybe not} in your classroom.
But, it's inevitable, at some point in the year, there are going to be times in your classroom when your students {and you!} will feel sad, frustrated, and possibly overstimulated.

When our emotions are in high gear it's hard to focus and complete tasks that we are assigned to do.

Here are four ideas for you to teach your students to help calm themselves down quickly when they are feeling upset so they can get right be the best learner they can be.

Breathe, Chill

Have you heard of the book, Breathe, Chill? It's absolutely amazing! The book is filled with 70 activities for children to do when they are feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated or stressed!

It's written in kid-friendly text so it makes it easy for students to understand. The book's focus is on teaching children breathing, relaxation and meditation exercises that will not only help calm them down, but also relieve stress, relax and meditate!

My favorite activities are Feather Breather {which uses colorful feathers to show students how we breathe!} and Centering {a technique that connects the mind and body - giving kids an immediate sense of calm & relaxation!}

This book is well worth the purchase! It's filled with wonderful strategies that will work throughout the school year!

I love our Hoberman Sphere {aka "the breathing ball!}

This ball is so fun and can be used in so many ways in your classroom. However, I think the most beneficial use in the classroom for it is to teach an important breathing strategy that can be used to calm down a student that is upset, frustrated or overstimulated.

Show your students how to use the breathing ball appropriately in a quick lesson at the beginning of the year, using the steps below.

1. Have your students sit up straight with both feet on the floor.
2. Tell students to put their hand on their stomach & take a deep breath in through their nose {inhale} while you expand the ball.
3. Students should hold their breath for 1 - 2 seconds...and then let the air from their mouth out slowly {exhale} while you compress the ball.

It's important to discuss how their stomach gets bigger as they inhale and it gets smaller when they exhale. Practice this exercise several times whole group while you model using the Hoberman Ball. Encourage the students to use the ball anytime they are feeling frustrated, upset or just need a minute to regain their focus.

Then, set the breathing ball in an area that is assessable to all but will not be distracting to the whole group. Now, you have yourself a quick and easy calming activity for your students to do independently should they feel like they need to take a quick break to be able to regain their focus.

Calming Sensory Bottles

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Sensory bottles seem to be the craze in preschool classrooms these days. I even hear about quite a few kindergarten classrooms using them. They are pretty cool to look at, right?

However, I have not made them in my classroom only because collecting all of the materials for 20+ students gets costly and let's be honest...every student would want one.

Well after hanging out on Pinterest a bit (ha!) this summer, I found that there are sensory bottles that can actually be used as a calming tool, which immediately got my attention!

My students can enjoy the fun of a sensory bottle and the benefits of its calming effects! Bonus: it doesn't break the bank. You can make one or two {or even a whole class set!} They for sure will be a hit in your classroom and are actually pretty easy to make {directions below}.

Set them in a quiet area where your students can take a timeout to calm down after they are angered or upset.

How to Make Calming Bottles

1. Get a clear, empty plastic bottle. Clean and remove the label using Goo Gone.
2. Fill the bottle ¾ full with hot water.
3. Add in one 4 oz. bottle of Elmer's Glitter Glue and a small packet or tube of fine glitter. I would use a color that is almost identical to the glue or clear or silver.
4. Fill the rest of the bottle with clear gel glue for slower settling glitter.
5. Shake the bottle and see if you are happy with the consistency. If you are, super glue the lid shut and they are ready for your classroom. If you want the glitter to move slower add more clear glue. If you want it to move faster add more water.

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Stress Ball

I love this idea because these small homemade stress balls can be taken back to your student's seats. They are small enough to be used underneath your student's work area to not distract the other students.

These are great for students that might be feeling a bit anxious about something but not completely upset or overwhelmed yet.

Follow these easy steps to make a few of these and you are sure to provide a support for your students to learn to calm themselves quickly and effectively.

How to Make Stress Balls

1. Get 3 latex balloons {Don't skimp on the quality on these, or you will have a big mess to clean up!}
2. Using a funnel, fill one of the balloons up with flour. {You could also use cornstarch or baking soda.}
3. Try to get as much air out of the balloon before tying it into a knot.
4. Cut the excess latex off of the balloon but be careful not to cut too close {or the knot may come undone}.
5. Squeeze the stress ball into the second balloon and cut off the extra latex.
6. Finally, squeeze the stress ball into the third latex balloon.

Calming Kit

I love how Andrea of Always Kindergarten a Calm Down Kit to keep in her classroom. It's filled with activities and resources for students use when they simply need a break!

I hope you will find this blog post beneficial in helping to teach your students self-calming techniques.

Because that is what it is all about, we need to show our students it is ok, and quite frankly, part of life to feel angry or upset at times. It is not ok to lose control of ourselves and possible harm ourselves or others when we are feeling this way.

Whether you decide to use one of these strategies or all of them to make a calming center in your classroom these are all great techniques that anyone can use to help quickly calm themselves to regain the focus they need to be successful in any situation.
This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase. For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link.
Do you use other calming techniques in your classroom?

Slainte!

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It's the beginning of the school year and I'm sure everything is all sunshine and rainbows {or maybe not} in your classroom. But, it's inevitable, at some point in the year, there are going to be times in your classroom when your students {and you!} will feel sad, frustrated, and possibly overstimulated.

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Drag and drop text for the tool to read to you :) Also includes Dyslexia font.

https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/

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Free Text to Speech Online with Realistic AI Voices

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Convert text into ultra-realistic audio. Have any text read aloud with AI Voices. AI text reader for pdfs, books, documents, and webpages.

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https://toytheater.com/math-flash-cards/

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Are you trying to get your 3rd graders to learn their multiplication tables?

Or perhaps you are pushing your 1st graders to achieve fluency in addition and subtraction. When it comes to building math skills, knowing basic facts can make a big difference.

Once students know basic math facts, they can focus on analysis, critical thinking, and attempting more challenging work such as word problems.

Our online math flashcards offer the perfect practice for students of a wide range of levels. All you have to do to practice basic math facts is select the operation on the left hand side. Then, the student must choose the correct answer for each flashcard. Their score is kept at the top of the screen, helping motivate students to try to get as many answers correct as possible. Students can cycle through the operations as desired and still keep their scores. Refresh the browser to restart the score.

Play the flashcard game as a whole class by having students vote on answers or use it for independent work. Any way you use the online math flashcards, your students are sure to love it!

Visit classplayground.com for more resources and printables related to addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

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Math Flashcards | Educational Games for Kids | Toy Theater

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Make learning math facts fun with these free online math flashcards. The flashcard game keeps score while you play. How many will you get right?

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https://toytheater.com/clock/

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Interactive Clock | Telling Time | Analog & Digital | Toy Theater

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Use the online teaching clock for a fun digital experience with your students. Students can learn to tell time with both analog and digital clocks!

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https://toytheater.com/fraction-strips/

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Students often struggle with the concept of fractions. This interactive fraction strips tool helps students visualize fractions. With these online fraction strips, students can model fractions, solve fraction problems, explore equivalent fractions, and observe the differences between denominators.

To use the interactive fraction strips tool, click and drag the strips onto the canvas. You can drag as many of each fraction as you'd like. To remove the strips, drag them off the canvas. Change the chart to accommodate two whole units by pressing the "Unit Double" button. Add annotations using the pencil tool and erase using the eraser. To clear the canvas, press the trash can button.

A few activities you can do with students while using the online fraction strip tool include:

Have students model a given fraction, mixed or not. For example 1 1/4 or 3/6.

Ask students to model addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems using the fraction strips.

Ask students to find equivalent fractions for a certain fraction. For example, how many sixths are equivalent to 1/3?

Ask students to use the pencil tool to divide one of the wholes on the chart into fourths. Then, students can check their work by dragging fourths onto the chart afterward.

Looking for more fraction manipulatives? Try our interactive fraction circles.

Visit classplayground.com for more resources and printables about fraction strips.

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Fraction Strips | Free Virtual Manipulatives | Toy Theater

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Use the interactive fraction strips tool to help students visualize, model, and explore fractions. Students can also solve problems using fraction strips.

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https://toytheater.com/place-value-disks/

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Place Value Disks | Virtual Manipulatives | Toy Theater

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These free virtual place value disks help students visualize the abstract concepts of numbers and operations in base ten.

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What role should teachers play in students' lives outside of the classroom? When and how can a teacher intervene? Which laws permit teacher and school intervention?

Gauging when to intervene and what boundaries must not be crossed if you suspect that a student is struggling due to outside factors can be a tricky task. Teachers who create safe classroom environments can proactively support the whole child by preventing school bullying and assisting students who have difficult home lives. By incorporating the strategies outlined below into your teacher toolbox, you can support students with difficult life situations.

Helping Students from Vulnerable Homes

"If you told an administrator that you suspected one of your students was being abused at home and the administrator said he or she would handle it, do you need to do anything else?"

-Alternate Route Teacher

Home issues are prevalent in any school or neighborhood. In a typical classroom, students can be children of alcoholics or have no adult supervision after school. Students' difficult home lives typically affect their school performance and classroom behavior.

If you suspect your student is from a vulnerable family, consider implementing these research-based behavioral management rules and guidelines:

Source: Scope of Services For Building-Based I&RS Teams[/caption]

The NJ Department of Education requires anyone with reasonable cause to believe that a child is being abused or neglected to notify the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). As adults who spend the most time with students outside of the home, teachers are well-positioned to help the State protect them-especially when they receive little to no parent supervision.

To submit a report with the NJ Department of Education, you can file a report about any incidents or concerns with your school district. Each school district is required, by law, to have a liaison with DYFS. After the report has been approved, DYFS can also provide classroom management tools and resources to teachers working with abused students.

Helping Students Who Face Bullying or Harassment

"If you noticed that a student was being repeatedly teased and taunted by other students, in the hallways between classes, for example, but the student never complained to you about it, should you do anything?"

-Alternate Route Teacher

Research has shown many students who are targeted by bullies hesitate to report their situation because they fear retaliation, or believe that nothing will be done. Teachers can help put a stop to bullying by encouraging students-both victims and bystanders-to speak up.

Prevention is key for bullying. You can create a safe and healthy classroom environment by getting to know your students individually and collectively, and setting rules for the classroom that reinforce the consequences of bullying. This will allow your students moments to be emotionally open.

Check your school's bullying policy. By law, schools are required to publicly post their bullying policies.

Provide continued support to students who have been involved in bullying. Both the bully and victim will require immediate observation after filing a report. Well after filing a bullying report, it is good practice for teachers to meet both students separately and check in on their progress.

Overwhelming research supports the premise that students' home lives are largely connected to their school lives. For example, students from vulnerable homes can channel emotional distress into bullying or they can be targeted by bullies. Should intervention be necessary, the focus should not be on the student's family circumstances, but on how to help and improve the student behavior despite his or her situation. Be mindful about approaching vulnerable students with a holistic mindset, not with a one-sided perspective based on prior judgments and stereotypes.

Teachers who report students dealing with difficult life situations provide them with the opportunity to gain insight into a new reality devoid of dysfunction, where they can learn how to healthily cope with emotional distress, and possibly avoid or exacerbating the onset of mental health issues.

Share in the comments any experiences you've had teaching students who've been bullied or abused.

For further information, view these links:

http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/safety/behavior/hib/ http://www.acesforbullyingprevention.org/ACESResourceGuideFstEd.pdf http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/irs/scope.pdf

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Teaching Strategies for Helping Students From Vulnerable Homes

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Gauging when to intervene and what boundaries must not be crossed if you suspect that a student is struggling due to outside factors can be a tricky task. Teachers who create safe classroom environments can proactively support the whole child by preventing school bullying and assisting students who have difficult home lives.

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This week I have been visiting third grade classrooms to do lessons on strategies for success on the SOLs. Third grade students will be taki...

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Meditation for Anxiety Spanish | Ansiedad Meditación para Niños | Kids Meditation in Spanish

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To counter stereotype vulnerability, Steele recommends that instructors demonstrate their confidence in students' abilities through challenge, mentoring, research groups, and peer advising. Recent research has shown that when faculty and TAs can create learning or mastery-oriented classrooms, students focus more on developing their understanding of the material rather than on how they are being evaluated in comparison to their classmates.