Easy school strategies for ADHD.

Easy school strategies for students with ADHD

Even if sometimes the structural development of the brain is normal, it is found that a child is:

• not able to sit at one place for a long time
• unable to focus
• impulsive / restless
• easily distracted
• lacking organizational skills and cannot prioritise
• lacking time management skills
• having low frustration tolerance
• interrupting others conversations/activities
• having trouble coping with stress
• difficulty in completing notes or remembering spellings
• experiencing problems to follow through and completing a task etc.

All these are due to abnormal brain activity which leads to a neuro behavioural disorder called Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). It typically presents with one or more above behaviours.

Often these behaviours look as if the child is not enough motivated for studies or parents are not putting enough effort for the child. There are chances of a school denying admission to them or even if they are admitted, there is a constant struggle for both kid and the parent to stay up to the academic expectation.

Most of the time the classroom environment poses a challenge for ADHD children like for example a simple thing like ticking of clock, falling of a writing tool, passing of peer etc. distracts them, they lose their focus eventually leading to frustration. What one doesn’t realize here is that it’s the neurological deficits and not unwillingness that keeps the child away from the traditional way of learning.

Occupational Therapists also evaluate the child for any underlying sensory processing difficulties. Sometimes hyperactivity, inattention, poor organizational skills etc could be due to poor sensory processing. So occupational therapists use Sensory Integration therapy to treat the underlying cause through challenging and fun activities designed to target and facilitate different sensory skills. It facilitates integration of sensory, motor, perceptual, cognitive, social skills etc.

Occupational Therapists also guide and help design simple classroom settings that will help them overcome their challenges and improve their participation in school. Occupational therapists’ goal is to empower children with ADHD and teach them skills they need to be confident, independent and succeed in life.

Also read, How Play Therapy Helps A Child With Special Needs? Find A Special Ed School In Mumbai.

What Therapies Are Required For Children With Special Learning Needs?

Easy school strategies for students with ADHD

Some simple classroom strategies which can help enhance the learning process of kids with ADHD are: -

• child should be made to sit away from doors and windows – it reduces distractions of ongoing surrounding activities
• make them sit on the first bench or closest to the instructor – it helps to have discreet conversation between them and makes it easier for them to understand the given command
• incorporate physical movements between classes – as it difficult for them to sit for long continuous hours
• alternate seated activities with physical activities
• pair them with a “study-buddy”, a hardworking and quiet peer.
• use of visual and colourful hints – to display class rules, given projects etc
• use of different tools and formats like overheads, worksheets, diagrams, films, hand outs, flow charts for teaching.
• placing of traffic light cards on desk to achieve the desired level of talking
  
  
  

• active conversation will help child focus on the task given
• encourage them to be active readers
• giving them a schedule for the day and reviewing it timely – it helps children to manage their time and “shifting gears” required for changing and completion of a given task.
• Breaking down tasks and constantly giving them feedback.
• Use of timers or verbal cues to help them understand the amount of time left for completion of activity.
• Give them constant feedback – praises and rewards for good behaviour should be encouraged. Also, minimal or non disruptive negative behaviour should be ignored.
• Never take away their recess time as a consequence for a negative behaviour – they need those breaks for physical outlet.
• Prioritise rewards over punishment.
• Although kids are expected to show well seated behaviour, modify rules for ADHD kids, like they should be allowed to “stand up”, if that makes them more attentive or make them sit on a thera ball during classes.
• If the child is fidgety, a smiley ball or thera putty can be given
• Don’t overload them with instructions – it can be overwhelming for them, break down the task into simple 1 or 2 steps instructions.

Also read,

What Are Some Of The Typical Characteristics Of A Learner With ADHD? Find ADHD Schools In Mumbai.

What Is ADHD? How Is The Curriculum Different For Students With ADHD?