• Tips for the teacher
• Instructional Accommodations
• Behavioral Accommodations

Tips for the Teacher

1. Consistency is the key to helping ADHD/ADD children. They are really poor at dealing with change, even if it is positive change. They need to have a sense of external structure, as they tend to lack a sense of internal structure.
2. ADHD/ADD kids have two kinds of time …. Plenty and none. They are usually poor at organizing their time and need you to help them break tasks down into small components.
3. Placing ADHD/ADD kids at the front of the room (nearest the blackboard or where the teacher gives instruction) is often helpful. If the child is right handed, placing them at the right front of the class minimizes the number of children they watch wiggle when they write.
4. Try to avoid placing ADHD/ADD children in situations with multiple children at a single desk. This maximizes their distractibility.
5. Use colors and shapes to help them organize.
6. Try to provide a quiet study area, free from distraction, when seat work is required.
7. Try to work within the child’s attention span. Keep changing the type of work frequently and the child can continue to work productively. Medication is NOT the only solution.
8. Many of these children are VISUAL learners. Try making thins more visual or tactile and they may grasp them better. Instead of memorizing words, ask them to “make a movie in their head and play it back”.

Instructional Accommodations

     1.   Repeat and Simplify Directions

• Keep oral directions clear and simple
• Give examples
• Ask child to repeat back directions when possible
• Make eye contact
• Demonstrate

     2.   Provide Directions in Written Form

• On board
• On worksheet
• Copied in assignment book by student and initialed by teacher

Behavioral Accommodations

     1.   Use Positive Reinforcement

• Positive verbal or written feedback
• Reward systems and incentives
• Give tasks that can be completed
• Private signals
• Weekly individual time

     2.   Be Consistent

• With rewards and consequences
• With posted rules

     3.   Promote Leadership and accountability

• Assign jobs that can be performed well
• Provide responsibilities

     4.   Specific Goals and Reinforce with incentives

• State tangible goals and timetable
• Reward system
• Incentives chart for work and behavior
• Student contracts

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