Environmental And Classroom Accommodations For ADHD

By Ryan McDonald


Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects about three to five percent of the population. With its rampant nature, almost every teacher is likely to encounter it at one point in life. This calls for tactics on classroom and environmental accommodations for ADHD. This will help you deal with instances of disruptive behaviors like leaving the seat, calling out and interrupting activities.

It is recommended that you allocate them seats close to the teacher. This should also be away from doors and windows because they will easily be distracted. As a teacher, your access to these students should be uninterrupted. Create space so that their desks are accessible. Adjustments that should be made include provision of resistant bands, seat cushions and foot rests, among other enablers.

Expect tests and assignments along the education path that are mandatory for all students. With restrictions on how much assistance you can provide, you should break down or simplify sentences as well as make the questions fewer for them. Be ready to extend time to enable such a student to complete the test. Further provide a quiet environment for the exam.

Strict adherence to examination and education rules will disadvantage an ADHD student other than assist him in learning. As a teacher, pay less attention to neatness during examinations. Give marks for effort in working out the question other than answers. A student is likely to turn in his work late or partially completed. These students are unable to handle long assignments.

The classroom environment is crucial in determining how well a student grasps the content. Though the instructions are written on scripts, they should be read out loud. The use of pictures and images makes instructions easier to understand. It helps if a buddy of the student can take the notes on his behalf. Constantly check on the student to ensure that he or she understood the lesson. Simplify and clarify the instructions if your student is struggling.

Expect extraordinary behaviors whenever you are dealing with an ADHD student. Create a reward for certain improvements in behaviors. Shouting will scare the student. When correcting behavior, discuss the issue one on one. Check whether the student is experiencing personal frustrations in order to intervene. There are acts you can ignore as long as they are not disruptive.

Tests are likely to disadvantage an ADHD student. Make provisions for extended time to accommodate distractions. The assignments or tests should be spaced so that the student does not feel overwhelmed. Allow verbatim scripting alongside assistive devices like voice to text software, spellcheckers, reference charts and calculators, among others.

ADHD has no treatment. All interventions are meant to make management of such people easier and thus make them more productive. Available interventions include medication, training, education and psychotherapy. The symptoms and behavior vary from one person to the other and thus each should receive individualized attention.




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