“These Classroom Accommodations Really Helped My Child”
Which classroom accommodations work best for students with ADHD? The creative solutions that specifically address each child’s biggest hurdles — with academics, executive functions, social skills, focus, and beyond. There is no magic bullet, but there are lots of great ideas here.
Effective classroom accommodations vary from child to child, grade to grade, and sometimes teacher to teacher. A daydreamer may benefit from working collaboratively with other students, whereas a hyperactive student may need movement breaks and special “jobs” around the classroom. Abbreviated homework assignments may help students; others may need quiet rooms for test taking. To find the right fit, seek input from your child, their teacher, their healthcare provider, and other caregivers of children with ADHD.
Here, learn how other ADDitude readers answered the question, Which classroom accommodations for ADHD or learning differences have been most helpful for your children?
Accommodations for Inattentive ADHD
“A ‘check-in’ with the teacher at the end of the day helps. She summarizes what my child did that day. I ask how she and the teacher feel about it, and we discuss unfinished projects.” — An ADDitude Reader
“My kids’ teachers use subtle hand signals instead of verbally redirecting (and identifying) them in class. It also helps for my kids to sit next to focused work partners.” — An ADDitude Reader
“Taking tests in a separate space and using headphones to block out noise when working on classroom assignments, works for my kids.” — An ADDitude Reader
[Download: Classroom Accommodations for ADHD]
“We get videos of lectures so we can rewatch them, pause to take notes, and then continue. Also, having access to notes taken by classmates, and verbal testing one-on-one with a proctor, helps.” — An ADDitude Reader
“My daughter’s accommodations give her preferential seating in the front row, which has been most effective because the teacher can more easily recognize when my daughter is struggling and get her back on track.” — An ADDitude Reader
“Having all assignments in writing, reading instructions out loud, and having my child repeat them back, helps. Also, audiobooks and graphic organizers work well.” — An ADDitude Reader
“The most important thing a teacher can know about inattentive ADHD is that you can be drawing or fidgeting and listening.” — An ADDitude Reader
[Free Downloadable Chart: IEP vs. 504 Plans]
Accommodations for Hyperactive ADHD
“Using a stress ball and not being required to sit while doing his work has been most helpful for my child.” — An ADDitude Reader
“Running errands for the teacher always helps get extra energy out.” — An ADDitude Reader
“My daughter has a hall pass that she can use whenever she needs to take a ‘body break.’” — An ADDitude Reader
“My daughter’s can stand at her desk, use a fidget tool, sit on a wiggle seat, walk to the water fountain, etc. But she doesn’t always think of these classroom accommodations at the moment, so having a visual list taped inside her desk helps.” — An ADDitude Reader
“Honestly, the only thing that made a difference was medication.” — An ADDitude Reader
“The teacher gives my son little jobs as movement breaks: locking the classroom windows, counting all the pens in the classroom, and checking all the printers to make sure they have paper.” — An ADDitude Reader
“My son has always ‘thought on his feet,’ pacing more and more rapidly as he gets into whatever is engaging his mind. His teachers know this and allow him to move around in the classroom.” — An ADDitude Reader
“It helps my son to sit on a wobble cushion, near the teacher, in the front of the class, and by other children who are less disruptive.” — An ADDitude Reader
Classroom Accommodations for ADHD: Next Steps
- Read: Classroom Accommodation That Target Common ADHD Challenges
- Read: IEP Accommodations That Really Work
- Download: Free Guide: 40 Best Accommodations for Children with ADHD or LD
SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.
