Environmental And Classroom Accommodations For ADHD

By Ryan McDonald


With about three to five percent of US population affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, you are bound to encounter a workmate or a student at a point in life. You therefore need to be prepared on how to handle such cases professionally to avoid compromising their performance or neglecting a person who would turn out to be a genius. There are environmental as well as classroom accommodations for ADHD persons that target such behaviors as interrupting activities, calling out, leaving their seats, etc.

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.

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.

Strict adherence to examination and education rules will disadvantage an ADHD student other than assist him in learning. As a teacher, pay less attention to neatness during examinations. Give marks for effort in working out the question other than answers. A student is likely to turn in his work late or partially completed. These students are unable to 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.

The behaviors of these students will be out of ordinary. To accommodate their shortcomings, you should reward them using a behavior plan. Do not shout at the student. Rather, use a one-on-one approach to deal with behavioral challenges. Monitor whether your student is experiencing frustrations and ignore some acts as long as they are not disruptive.

Students with attention deficiency and hyperactivity disorder are disadvantaged during tests. Only by making provisions of their conditions can you accommodate them. Spacing tests and assignments makes such students to feel less overwhelmed. Assistance of software that allow verbatim scripting, voice to text applications, spell checkers, calculators and reference charts will make tests easier for your 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.




About the Author: