Environmental And Classroom Accommodations For ADHD

By Ryan McDonald


About 3-5 percent of Americans suffer from a degree of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This means that it is almost impossible to miss a student or workmate at one point in life. You therefore need approved accommodations for ADHD persons to assist them hit their potential and also manage them with ease. You should expect such disruptive behaviors as calling out, interrupting activities and leaving seats or positions, among others. They can be very disturbing if you are not aware or conscious of their condition.

It is recommended that you allocate them seats close to the teacher. This should also be away from doors and windows because they will easily be distracted. As a teacher, your access to these students should be uninterrupted. Create space so that their desks are accessible. Adjustments that should be made include provision of resistant bands, seat cushions and foot rests, among other enablers.

Students need to engage in assignments on regular basis. This is one of the most challenging environments because assistance from the teacher is limited. However, teachers still have options that include provision of fewer questions, breaking down the long sentences and providing extra time as well as a quieter space for work and tests. You should also provide the students with the opportunity to answer questions loud or fill answers on the sheet of paper.

Strict education and examination rules will only disadvantage the student as opposed to assisting him or her meet learning goals. When it is time to mark the test or examination, avoid paying attention to neatness. On individual questions, do not be tempted to focus on the answer. Rather, give credit to work done instead of taking points away because the assignment was partially done or late. Such students will not handle long assignments.

The learning environment determines how well your students will grasp content being taught. Make provisions for loud reading of instructions. The use of images and pictures simplify instructions for you. Since the student might be unable to take notes, allow a buddy to do it on his behalf. Check to ensure that your content has been grasped and intervene if the instructions are not clear. You are also allowed to simplify exam instructions.

Expect extraordinary behaviors whenever you are dealing with an ADHD student. Create a reward for certain improvements in behaviors. Shouting will scare the student. When correcting behavior, discuss the issue one on one. Check whether the student is experiencing personal frustrations in order to intervene. There are acts you can ignore as long as they are not disruptive.

Tests easily disadvantage students with attention deficiency and hyper activity disorder. A teacher must make the effort of intervening to accommodate their shortcomings. Do not squeeze tests within a short duration because it will overwhelm your student. Allow use of such assistive measures as word to text software, spell checkers, reference charts and calculators among others that ease understanding for the student.

ADHD has no treatment. All interventions are meant to make management of such people easier and thus make them more productive. Available interventions include medication, training, education and psychotherapy. The symptoms and behavior vary from one person to the other and thus each should receive individualized attention.




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