Classroom And Environmental 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.

In class, such students should be allocated seats as close as possible to the teacher. As much as possible, keep them away from windows and doors because these environments are disruptive. The teacher should have uninterrupted access to such a student, which calls for more spaces between seats. Make adjustments and provisions like foot rests, seat cushions and avail resistant bands, among other interventions that will help the student to focus.

Expect tests and assignments along the education path that are mandatory for all students. With restrictions on how much assistance you can provide, you should break down or simplify sentences as well as make the questions fewer for them. Be ready to extend time to enable such a student to complete the test. Further provide a quiet environment for the exam.

ADHD students will be disadvantaged if education and examination rules are too strict. They need a lot of assistance in the learning process. For instance, paying attention to neatness during examination will lead to total failure. Other than focus on the answer, attention should be on effort and attempt at working out the question. Do not be mad when the paper is turned in late or partially complete. Such students have a short concentration span and thus are unable to handle long assignments.

The learning environment will determine the ability of the student to grasp content being taught. Directions or instructions should be given out loud and also be in written scripts. Use images like graphs and pictures which are easier for the students to comprehend. Allow a buddy to take notes for such a student. Giving an outline of the lesson to such a student aids in preparation. You should check to make sure that your student has understood the lesson. Instructions should be simplified and made as clear as possible.

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.

There is not treatment yet for ADHD. All the medicines, therapies and other interventions are meant to make management easier besides improving functions for staff or student. Interventions available include physiotherapy, education, training and medication, among others. Each person will present unique symptoms and thus requires personalized attention to ensure that he or she reaches full potential.




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