Guide for teachers: how to address ADHD in the classroom

If you’re a teacher, you may have wondered how to support a child with ADHD in the classroom. In this guide for teachers, we share 10 educational guidelines to help students with this disorder.

What is ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by clear symptoms of inattention and/or impulsivity-hyperactivity.

How do you know if a child has ADHD?

Diagnosis is the first step toward treatment: identifying the problem in order to find solutions. Assessing ADHD isn’t easy, since there are different subtypes depending on whether attention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity problems predominate. The main signs in each area are:

Attention deficit

• They have trouble paying attention to details.
• They find it hard to stay focused on tasks or activities.
• They make careless mistakes, for example, when doing homework.
• They are easily distracted by trivial stimuli.
• They don’t seem to listen when spoken to.
• They have trouble following orders or instructions and finishing tasks.
• They have difficulty organizing their activities or tasks.

Hyperactivity

• Fidgets in the seat or moves hands and feet excessively.
• They get up in situations where they should stay seated.
• Excess energy.
• They run or climb excessively in inappropriate situations (in adults, a feeling of restlessness).
• Difficulty playing or engaging quietly in leisure activities.
• They talk excessively.

Impulsivity

• They blurt out answers before the question has been finished.
• They have difficulty waiting their turn.
• They interrupt or intrude on others’ activities.

These symptoms must appear before age 12, with greater intensity and frequency than is normal for the person’s age, and must negatively affect the child’s performance both at school and at home. 

Guide for teachers: how to approach ADHD in the classroom

ADHD should be approached in a multidisciplinary way. It requires cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and educational support.

And of course, teachers play a key role in helping the child change behavior patterns, improve learning, and increase motivation.

10 educational guidelines for approaching ADHD in the classroom

Here are ten educational guidelines to help students with this disorder:

1. Create meaningful activities for the student that spark their interest;
2. do activities that involve their collaboration and active participation to motivate them;
3. break tasks that require attention into shorter periods;
4. encourage cooperative learning, that is, several different students learning together;
5. promote activities based on dialogue, such as debates or discussions;
6. reinforce them with positive messages when they do things well, and correct negative aspects without embarrassing them;
7. reduce stimuli in their field of vision, such as posters and eye-catching objects;
8. seat the student near you so you can supervise them discreetly;
9. seat them between classmates who can serve as role models;
10. repeat the rules to the student often and make sure they understand them.

Classroom activities for elementary school children with ADHD

If your school has a cognitive rehabilitation and stimulation professional, we suggest taking a look at the following article, where we suggest 7 classroom activities for elementary school children with ADHD. We’re sure you’ll find it useful.

7 Activities to Do in the Classroom with Elementary School Children with ADHD

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“This article has been translated. Link to the original article in Spanish:”
Guía para docentes: cómo abordar el ADHD en el aula