8 Simple ADHD Strategies for Students, Teachers, and Parents

Watching a child with ADHD struggle with school can be difficult, whether you’re a parent or a teacher. Fortunately, there are some great ADHD strategies or techniques that parents and teachers can use to help students succeed in school. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by challenges with attention, impulse control, and hyperactivity. It usually develops in childhood but may not be diagnosed until adolescence or young adulthood.

ADHD is one of the most common learning challenges that children can experience. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 9% of children in the United States between the ages of 13 and 18 have ADHD. Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed than boys.

Children who face ADHD, such as difficulty paying attention, may struggle after starting school. Likewise, parents and teachers will need to work together to help children learn to cope with their ADHD symptoms and excel.

Keep expectations consistent

One of the most important ADHD strategies is to keep classroom rules clear and concise. Rules and expectations for the class should be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary. Rules should be posted in the classroom where they can be easily read.

Repeating rules, expectations, or other instructions back to a child is often helpful to make sure they understand. Teachers should remember that a child may have heard these words but misunderstood their meaning.

For children who struggle with time management and “shifting gears” from one task or class to another, keeping the schedule simple and reviewing it often can make the transition easier.You can also use a timer, taped time signal, or verbal cues to help a student see how much time is left for an activity.

Limit distractions

Students with ADHD are prone to distraction. Helpful strategies for students with ADHD may include keeping them away from sources of distraction in the classroom, such as doors, windows, cubby areas, and pencil sharpeners. Try to limit other distractions in the room, such as excessive noise or visual stimuli such as clutter, as much as possible.

Listening to “white noise” or soft background music can actually improve focus and concentration for some kids with ADHD, although it can be a distraction for kids who don’t.

Provide frequent feedback

Another helpful ADHD strategy is to give children immediate feedback on how they are doing. Children with and without ADHD benefit from frequent, immediate feedback about their behavior. When necessary, any consequences given for undesirable behavior should also be intensified.

Reward good behavior

Rewards and incentives should always be used before punishment to motivate a student. To prevent boredom, change rewards often.

Don’t use vacation loss as a result of negative behavior. Children with ADHD benefit from physical activity and can focus better after being outside or in gym class.

Give them a break

Breaks and regular activity can be important strategies for children with ADHD. Children with ADHD 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.

You can give them a physical break by putting out papers or classroom materials, running errands in the office or another part of the building, or erasing the board. Even something as simple as getting a drink of water at a water fountain can provide a moment of activity.

Use tools and flexible rules

Students with ADHD are restless. While a standard classroom rule may be that students should sit in their seats during a lesson, a child with ADHD may stay on task better if allowed to stand.

For kids who fidget, a small “kush ball” or something small to attack (like silly putty) provides a little stimulation without disrupting the classroom.

Some studies have claimed that chewing gum can improve concentration in some students, but the research has not been conclusive. Additionally, many schools do not allow students to chew gum.

Do not overload them

For a child with ADHD who is overwhelmed, breaking the workload into smaller chunks can help reduce the total workload.

Children with ADHD may also have sleep problems that affect their behavior and their ability to pay attention in class. In general, students are “fresher” and less tired earlier in the day, although teens and college students are more likely to struggle with morning classes. It’s also not unusual for children to slip a little after lunch.

Encourage help

Children with ADHD may need additional support from a classroom aide, although these staff members are not always available. Similarly, academic support services may not be accessible for students with ADHD.

Even if a child gets one-on-one support from an adult, it can sometimes be helpful to arrange for peer support. Pairing a student with ADHD with a volunteer, kind and mature classmate can be a rewarding experience for both children. A child’s “study buddy” can provide reminders, help them stay on task or refocus after interruptions, and provide motivation.

Working with another student can also help a child with ADHD improve their social skills and increase the quality of their relationships with peers—which can be a struggle for children with ADHD.