How to Help a Child with ADHD in School: Guide for Educators

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, self-control, and activity levels. Over 11% children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADHD officially, but the actual number may be much higher.

Children with ADHD often struggle in traditional high school environments because ADHD can cause attention challenges, difficulties with organization and memory, and impulsivity. Unless teachers actively accommodate their neurodivergent students’ learning needs, children with ADHD are less likely to succeed academically.

That said, ADHD isn’t necessarily an obstacle to learning. Children who have it might require alternative approaches, but with the right support, they can excel and often outperform their classmates. That’s why all teachers must know how to help children with ADHD in the classroom, and we’ll share helpful tips here.

What Is ADHD? How Does ADHD Affect School?

Historically, most children diagnosed with ADHD were classified into one of the three main types: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined.

However, in recent years, mental health and developmental professionals, along with specialists in neurodivergence, have largely agreed that most people with ADHD experience a mix of symptoms across different types. The “pure” types were mainly defined for classification purposes and don’t fully reflect how ADHD manifests in real life.

Nowadays, it’s more or less universally recognized that ADHD is always a mix of inattentive symptoms with hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, although one of the two might dominate. To help you understand the difference, let’s look at the common behaviors characteristic of inattentive vs. hyperactive-impulsive ADHD.

Symptoms of inattentive ADHD in students:

• Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, especially if the tasks are routine or repetitive
• Makes seemingly “careless” mistakes
• Seems not to listen while spoken to directly
• Struggles with following instructions and can outright refuse to complete the task, or act out
• Avoids or resists tasks that require sustained mental effort, especially if the tasks don’t align with the child’s interests
• Regularly loses items needed for school or forgets them at home
• Is easily distracted by unrelated stimuli (noises from the hallway, classmates’ conversation, etc.)

Symptoms of hyperactive ADHD in students:

• Constant fidgeting and tapping
• Overall sense of restlessness, even if the child remains physically still
• Difficulty staying seated in one position
• Talks excessively, even if it disrupts the classroom environment
• Regularly blurts out answers before hearing the full question
• May act on impulse, often overlooking the potential consequences of their actions

How Can Teachers Accommodate Students with ADHD?

Teachers have the power to massively help students with ADHD in the classroom to make sure they enjoy learning and perform well academically. Here are several practical steps that make a significant impact.

Classroom placement

• To reduce distractions, try to seat students with ADHD away from the door and windows so they are less affected by unrelated environmental stimuli.
• During assessments and independent study time, provide a quiet environment that would make it easier to focus.
• Unless this causes disruption, it’s better to seat the student with ADHD close to the teacher’s desk.
• If possible, arrange students’ desks in rows, all facing the teacher.

Instruction strategies

• Cover the most challenging material early on, before students get tired and lose focus.
• Rely heavily on visuals (charts, pictures, etc.) rather than verbal instruction alone.
• Don’t just encourage note-taking; facilitate it by providing outlines and forms to complete to help students capture key information.
• Keep the instructions straightforward and concise; if necessary, calmly repeat.

Assignments and assessments

• Instead of long tests that require sustained attention, give shorter yet more frequent alternatives.
• If possible, try to avoid timed tests altogether.
• Offer students alternatives for earning credits in ways that suit them best (for instance, an opportunity to answer the teacher’s questions orally instead of completing a standardized test).
• Always break long-term projects into shorter, well-defined segments.
• Don’t refuse to accept later or partially complete work; be open to giving partial credit for it.

Help with organization

• Meet with parents to understand the child’s needs and develop accommodations that work at home and at school.
• Help students design and maintain a system for keeping track of assignments and important deadlines.
• Recommend (and provide, if necessary) a “master binder” with separate, color-coded sections for each subject; help students maintain their binders and, if possible, instruct their parents to do the same.
• Introduce self-organization techniques, such as prioritizing tasks and dividing large projects into manageable milestones.
• Share step-by-step guides for getting ready for school and leaving school, and encourage students to use them.

How to Help a Child with ADHD Focus in School: Lesson Strategies

How teachers organize lessons and deliver instruction can affect students’ ability to thrive with ADHD in school. Here are a few simple teaching techniques that can help:

At the beginning of the lesson

• Start every lesson with a specific auditory cue, for example, an egg timer. It can also help to use auditory cues a few times during the lesson to indicate how much time is left.
• Clearly explain everything you’re going to cover and do during the lesson, step by step. Make sure your students know exactly what to expect.
• Write down the lesson’s agenda on the board and follow it. Refer back to the agenda when transitioning between activities.

Throughout the lesson

• Keep instructions structured and as short as possible. Be sure to provide visual aids to help students understand what’s expected.
• If possible, give out printouts with key information or instructions so students can look them up during the lesson.
• Diversify activities and vary the pace. Students with ADHD often appreciate gamified learning, and it’s also a great way to keep neurotypical students engaged.
• Use subtle cues to communicate to students that they need to stay on task (for example, tap on their shoulder while walking between desk rows).
• Let students with ADHD take breaks whenever they need and provide physical outlets that are suitable for the classroom. For example, have a hand gripper at a designated place and allow students to use it during class.

At the end of the lesson

• Give a concise summary of the most important information covered during the lesson.
• Repeat the homework assignment and check comprehension. For example, have a couple of students explain how they understand the task.
• Write the assignment on the board, including the deadline.

How to Help Children with ADHD: Recommendations for Parents

Teachers can make it easier for students with ADHD to be comfortable at school, but that’s not enough. Children with ADHD also need support and well-informed accommodations at home, which is where parents must step in:

1. Create and maintain a structured routine. Neurodivergent children need a schedule to feel more secure and experience less stress. Stay consistent with the timing for waking up, meals, play, etc., and use visual schedules for additional support and motivation.
2. Teach self-organization and time-management skills, including things like breaking tasks into smaller steps, using planners or calendars, and setting reminders.
3. Use positive reinforcement, such as verbal encouragement, stickers, or small privileges, for motivation. Reward effort and progress over the outcome.
4. Cooperate with your child’s teachers and other school personnel. See your child’s teachers to “compare notes” and share strategies that seem to work in class and at home.
5. Seek professional help. Children with ADHD often benefit from therapy and, in some cases, medication. Ideally, take your child to see an ADHD specialist, not just any child psychologist.

Conclusion

Children with ADHD can excel academically and thrive in school, as long as their learning environment is adjusted to be more inclusive and accommodates their specific needs.

Teachers must educate themselves on strategies to help their neurodivergent students learn how to focus with ADHD in school and use appropriate classroom strategies. For example, varying lesson activities and pacing typically help. However, success requires a team effort. Ideally, parents and school personnel should continuously stay in touch to share updates and coordinate support.

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