How to Support Students with ADHD in the Classroom: A Teacher's Guide

As educators, our main aim is to establish an inclusive and supportive learning setting for all students, including those with ADHD. Supporting these students involves more than just academic instruction; it requires us to acknowledge our own triggers, work together with students to create effective strategies, and cultivate a classroom environment that prioritizes patience, empathy, and a thorough understanding of the nuances of the ADHD brain. This post is designed to illuminate these concepts, offering practical strategies like call and response, front-loading information, cognitive load theory, and priority seating to improve the learning journey for students with ADHD.

If you have not read the blog post ADHD in the brain I suggest you read that first. Find it here.

Recognizing Our Own Triggers as Teachers

Supporting students with ADHD starts with us, the teachers. We need to recognize our triggers, whether it's disruptions, inattention, or hyperactivity, so we can manage our reactions and keep a positive learning environment. Reflecting on how we respond to these behaviors can help us uncover any biases or misunderstandings we might have about ADHD, allowing us to adapt our teaching methods to be more inclusive and empathetic. When we see these behaviors as a function of the brain, we can approach them more objectively and find more effective solutions.

Strategies for Teacher Self-awareness:

• Reflective Journaling: Keep a journal to note instances when you felt triggered and explore the reasons behind these reactions. 
• Peer Support: Engage in discussions with colleagues about managing classroom dynamics and share strategies for maintaining composure and empathy.
• Follow neurodivergent and ADHD content creators on social media. Listen to what they are saying and reach out with questions.
• Read my blog series on stress management and handling our stressors as teachers HERE
• Read my blog post about Dopamine and ADHD HERE

Collaborating with Students on Interventions and Strategies

To effectively support students, collaboration is key. When we involve students in discussions about their needs and preferences, it empowers them and encourages a sense of ownership. This approach leads to more personalized and effective interventions, which is crucial for students with ADHD. Understanding our own brains is essential, and when teachers engage in these conversations with students, it provides them with the language necessary for self-advocacy and motivates them to hold themselves accountable.

Collaborative Strategies Include:

• Student-Teacher Conferences: Regularly scheduled meetings to discuss challenges, set goals, and monitor progress.
• Strategy Sharing: Encourage students to share what has worked for them in the past and integrate these strategies into your classroom management plan.
• Student Interviews: Interview students with interview questions that are designed to find out their strengths and struggles inside the classroom. ***for suggestions and tips for all three of these strategies are a part of the ADHD and Nuerodivergent Toolkits. Check out the bundle HERE

Understanding ADHD and Its Impact on Emotional Regulation

ADHD affects more than just attention and hyperactivity; it also impacts emotional regulation. Students with ADHD may experience intense emotions and have difficulty managing them. As teachers, understanding this aspect of ADHD allows us to provide the emotional support and guidance these students need.

Tips for Supporting Emotional Regulation:

• Emotional Literacy: Teach students to identify and name their emotions, fostering greater self-awareness and control.
• Safe Spaces: Design areas in the classroom where students can pause to calm down and collect themselves. Demonstrate how to use this space and ensure students can access it freely. This approach helps destigmatize the area, distinguishing it from a "time out" or seclusion, which can be triggering for students with ADHD. ***for tips on implementing break areas check out the ADHD Toolkit HERE
• Social stories: Use social stories to connect emotions to language and teach coping skills

Implementing Effective Classroom Strategies

Call and Response

This technique helps in maintaining student engagement and ensuring that instructions are understood. It involves stating a prompt or question and having the class respond in unison. This not only captures attention but also reinforces learning through repetition.

Front-loading Information

Providing students with ADHD a preview of what to expect in the lesson can significantly enhance their ability to focus and participate. This strategy involves briefly outlining the lesson's objectives and main points at the beginning of the class, helping students to mentally prepare and set appropriate expectations.

Cognitive Load Theory

Understanding and applying cognitive load theory can be particularly beneficial for students with ADHD. This approach involves simplifying information presentation and breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable parts to prevent overwhelming students. By limiting extraneous cognitive load, we allow students to focus more effectively on the learning task at hand.

Priority Seating

The way we set up our classrooms can greatly affect students with ADHD. Priority seating means placing these students where they're less likely to get distracted and more likely to focus on the teacher and the lesson. This might mean sitting them near the front or away from windows and doors. It's important not to isolate ADHD students from their peers under the guise of preventing distractions, as this can do more harm than good, leading to increased behaviors and anxiety. Instead, talk to them about what they find most distracting and arrange their seating based on their feedback. ***for tips on how to set up seating for neurodivergent students check out the neurodivergent toolkit HERE

At the heart of all these strategies lies the need for patience, empathy, and a deep understanding of the ADHD brain. By viewing the world through our students' eyes, we can better appreciate their struggles and strengths. This perspective not only enriches our teaching approach but also builds a stronger, more supportive relationship between teacher and student.

Final Thoughts

Supporting students with ADHD in the classroom is a multifaceted endeavor that requires us to look inward at our own triggers and biases, collaborate with students to identify effective strategies, and apply specialized techniques tailored to their unique needs. By doing so, we not only enhance the academic success of students with ADHD but also contribute to their overall well-being and self-esteem. Let us embrace this challenge with open hearts and minds, committed to making a difference in the lives of all our students.

Do you want more? Check out the ADHD toolkit here.

Or check out the Neurodivergent and ADHD Toolkit bundle here.

My previous blog post explains ADHD and the brain, specifically how dopamine impacts our executive functioning, emotional processing, motivation, and memory. Read it here.