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 learning environment determines how well your students will grasp content being taught. Make provisions for loud reading of instructions. The use of images and pictures simplify instructions for you. Since the student might be unable to take notes, allow a buddy to do it on his behalf. Check to ensure that your content has been grasped and intervene if the instructions are not clear. You are also allowed to simplify exam instructions.

The behaviors of these students will be out of ordinary. To accommodate their shortcomings, you should reward them using a behavior plan. Do not shout at the student. Rather, use a one-on-one approach to deal with behavioral challenges. Monitor whether your student is experiencing frustrations and ignore some acts 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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