---
title: 'What teachers see: How ADHD impacts learning in middle school'
description: 'ADHD can have a big impact in the middle school classroom. Here are signs of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder teachers might be seeing at school. '
slug: what-teachers-see-how-adhd-impacts-learning-in-middle-school
author: Amanda Morin
reviewer: Bob Cunningham, EdM
published: '2019-10-16T11:46:52.645Z'
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-teachers-see-how-adhd-impacts-learning-in-middle-school
lang: en
---

# What teachers see: How ADHD impacts learning in middle school

Middle-schoolers with ADHD may have a hard time organizing and completing more complicated work. They may also struggle with peer relationships. Here’s what your child’s teacher may be seeing.

## Has trouble switching gears

- Your child does the daily problem on the board but then forgets to hand in homework.
- Your child comes to class after socializing in the hallway and can’t settle down.
- Your child moves from one subject to the next and can’t remember what was read last.

**The issue:** Kids with ADHD might have trouble multitasking and switching focus to new activities (even if they’re part of a daily routine).

## Doesn’t know how to fit in

- Your child doesn’t know how to enter a group conversation and stands off to the side.
- Your child gets told by other kids that what's being shared is “TMI.”
- Your child shows off or clowns around in class in order to get noticed.

**The issue:** Kids with ADHD often have trouble judging other kids’ reactions, which can lead to awkward social interactions.

## Does things halfway

- Your child writes three paragraphs of a five-paragraph essay.
- Your child joins a club, but only shows up for a few meetings.
- Your child is enthusiastic about an exciting long-term project but never turns in the final product.

**The issue:** Kids with ADHD often have difficulty following through and maintaining interest.

## Doesn’t know how to get things done

- Your child has trouble with long division and word problems even while knowing calculation facts.
- Your child's book report is missing important details.
- Your child’s science fair project is too simplistic and doesn’t follow the guidelines.

**The issue: **Kids with ADHD have difficulty with planning, breaking tasks into smaller steps and handling multi-step activities.

---

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