Classroom accommodations for ADHD

Students with ADHD have difficulty with attention and self-control. And at school, that can look like inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disorganization — all of which can get in the way of learning. What classroom accommodations can help students with ADHD? Here are some strategies teachers can try.

Setting up the classroom environment

• Use flexible seating, like wiggle chairs, standing desks, footrests, seat cushions, or resistance bands on chair legs.
• Increase the space between desks or work tables (if social distancing guidelines aren’t already in place).
• Designate a quiet work space in the classroom.
• Set up preferential seating close to the teacher and/or away from high-traffic areas.
• Post a written schedule for daily routines and rules. When possible, let the student know ahead of time about schedule changes. 

Building organization skills

• Use an assignment notebook or an electronic calendar.
• Provide an extra set of books to keep at home.
• Provide folders and baskets of supplies to keep desk organized.
• Color-code materials for each subject.
• Provide typed notes or an outline of the lesson to help with taking notes.
• Teach note-taking strategies, like using graphic organizers and mind-mapping software.
• Have a buddy take notes for the student.

Giving instructions

• Give directions out loud and in writing, and have the student repeat them.
• Provide a lesson outline that details instructions and assignments.
• Keep instructions simple, clear, and concrete.
• Use pictures and graphs to help create visual interest.
• Provide a rubric that describes the elements of a successfully completed assignment.
• Help the student break long assignments into smaller chunks.

Completing tests and assignments

• Allow understanding to be demonstrated in different ways, like oral reports, posters, and video presentations.
• Provide different ways to respond to test questions, like saying the answers or circling them.
• Minimize the number of questions and problems per worksheet.
• Schedule frequent short quizzes, rather than one long test at the end of each unit.
• Give credit for work done instead of taking away points for late or partial assignments (with a plan for moving toward completing assignments).
• Grade for content, not for neatness.
• Give extra time and quieter space for work and tests.

Managing behavior

• Use a behavior plan with a reward system.
• Use a nonverbal signal (like a sticky note on the desk or a hand on a shoulder) to get the student’s attention and indicate the need for things like taking a brain break.
• Talk through behavior problems one-on-one.
• Check in frequently to monitor the student’s “emotional temperature” or frustration level. 

What’s next

Do you have a student who you think has difficulty with attention and self-control? See a fact sheet about ADHD.

Do you think your child may need accommodations? Get tips for talking to teachers about ADHD.