When it comes to supporting students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), accommodations within an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are essential. These accommodations can help students manage their symptoms and thrive in a school setting.
It’s important to recognize that each child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. This blog post explores various accommodations, explains their potential benefits, and emphasizes the need for individualized approaches.
Allowing students to take short breaks during lessons can help them refocus and recharge. These breaks can be physical, like stretching or walking, or mental, like brief periods of quiet time.
Why It Works: Breaks can prevent overwhelm and boredom, which often lead to shutdowns or distractions. They provide an outlet for pent-up energy and help maintain engagement.
Providing options for seating—such as standing desks, bean bags, or stability balls—can create a more comfortable learning environment. Just be sure to set firm guidelines and rules around how the flexible seating is to be used and how and why it can be “lost”.
Why It Works: Flexible seating allows students to choose a position that helps them concentrate better. Movement can also aid focus, making it easier for students with ADHD to stay engaged.
Using visual aids like timers or schedules can help students understand the passage of time and what is expected of them. For kids with ADHD, time can be a really tricky concept to grasp. Visual reminders help!
Why It Works: Visual cues can reduce anxiety about transitions and give students a clear understanding of tasks. This clarity can help them stay on track and manage their time more effectively.
Allowing students to make choices about their assignments or activities can increase their investment in learning. This doesn’t mean making everything free choice. It means having controlled options (this or that) that they can pick from.
Why It Works: When students feel they have control over their learning, they are more likely to stay engaged and motivated. This approach can also help them develop decision-making skills.
Providing checklists or visual supports for tasks can help students stay organized and focused on their work. Visual schedules work well for this accommodation because it helps students track their day.
Why It Works: Checklists break tasks into manageable steps, making it easier for students to follow through without feeling overwhelmed. Visual supports can also enhance understanding and retention of information.
Allowing the use of fidget tools or scheduled sensory breaks can accommodate students’ need for movement. Don’t underestimate how helpful a squishy ball or a sensory tool can be for your students with ADHD!
Why It Works: Fidgeting can help some students channel excess energy and improve focus. Sensory breaks allow them to release energy in a structured way, helping them return to tasks with renewed concentration.
Positioning a student in front of the classroom or away from distractions can significantly improve focus during instruction. If you place your ADHD students in an area of the classroom with high traffic or a lot of distractions (hello, window and pencil sharpening stations!), they will get distracted.
Why It Works: Reducing visual and auditory distractions helps students concentrate on the lesson without being sidetracked by what’s happening around them.
Adjusting the length or format of assignments and tests can make them more accessible for students with ADHD. Break things down into bite-size pieces and your students will, generally, do much better!
Why It Works: Shorter assignments or alternative assessment formats (like oral presentations instead of written reports) can alleviate stress and allow students to demonstrate their understanding without becoming overwhelmed.
Integrating technology, like tablets or educational apps, can make learning more interactive and engaging. The visual stimulation can provide that dopamine hit that students with ADHD often need to help them concentrate.
Why It Works: Many students with ADHD respond well to technology, which can make learning feel less like a chore and more like an engaging activity. Interactive formats may foster greater participation.
Implementing a system of rewards for meeting goals can motivate students to stay on task and make the day go more smoothly. Don’t forget the power of positive verbal reinforcements as well!
Why It Works: Positive reinforcement encourages desired behaviors by providing incentives. Recognizing small successes builds confidence and encourages continued effort.
Here is a short snippet from one of the trainings inside of TII membership about accommodations for ADHD and autism:
The membership also provides guidance on all things behavior-related, which can be helpful to listen to when working with students with ADHD.
By joining the membership, individuals also gain access to an extensive library of over 13,000 pre-written IEP goals, empowering them with a wealth of options to support their students’ unique needs.
Learn more and become a member of The Intentional IEP today!
While these accommodations are beneficial, it’s crucial to remember that each child with ADHD is unique. The effectiveness of these strategies will vary based on individual needs, preferences, and learning styles. Therefore, the IEP should be tailored specifically to your student’s strengths and challenges.
It’s also very important that students understand their accommodations and can advocate for them. My students used to have a hard time with that in the beginning, so I created Self-Advocacy Books that could help with that.
Supporting a student with ADHD requires a thoughtful approach that recognizes their individuality. By implementing targeted accommodations that are effective for each student, we can create a more inclusive educational environment that fosters success and promotes positive learning experiences.
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