Kids Awareness Series

Although there is no such thing as the perfect teacher or the perfect classroom or the perfect anything, there are a few suggestions for the classroom setting for the ADHD child.  As most of us are aware, the ADHD child struggles with becoming easily distracted, inattentiveness, difficulty sitting still, getting up out of his/her seat, and numerous other symptoms.  ADHD symptoms affect each child differently and your child may have some of these symptoms but not all of these symptoms.  However, one thing that is almost consistent across the board with children with ADHD is the fact that they are highly distractible and the more confusion in the classroom and lunchroom, the more acting out behaviors you are going to see at school.  Here are a few suggestions to optimize their learning environment:

Seat the child in the front of the room, there are less distractions from other students this way.

Do not be afraid during test times or on assignments that require sustained effort to have the ADHD child work with a resource assistance or a para-professional at school.  Additional services from the school may be warranted here and will need to be discussed with your child’s school.

The classroom should be minimally distracting.  What I mean is the classroom should not have every available surface covered with art, posters, classroom materials.  The more “stuff” that is on the walls, the more the ADHD child will be distracted by them.

Look at where your child is seated.  If your child is sitting next to the door, the air conditioner, a computer making noises while it runs, or the window, they will most likely be distracted by the noises or movements that they see outside.  Placement of their desk is really that important!!

The rules of the classroom should absolutely be posted (ie.. no hitting, always be respectful, take your turn, raise your hand when you have a question). Clear expectations of behavior should be conveyed.

The children sitting next to the ADHD children are also very important.  If you sit another child with ADHD or a child that gets up constantly from their chair, this will not help your child.  The children sitting next to a child with ADHD should be good role models for behavior.  Children learn through modeling behaviors!!

When the ADHD child participates in activities that are overstimulating such as P.E., the lunchroom, activities that involve the entire class, give him/her time to calm down and engage him/her in relaxing activities.  I often make the children I see in therapy stand up and take deep breaths in and out ten times and then close their eyes and pretend they at the beach listening to the sounds of the ocean. 

Above all, praise ADHD children for behaviors that are appropriate and encourage them to ask questions when they need classroom help.  I hear too often from parents of ADHD children that everyone seems to point out the “bad stuff” about their child but they never hear anything positive!!  All positive and appropriate behaviors should be praised and a reward system at home should also be implemented.  No classroom environment will be perfect, however by implementing some of these suggestions, your child will have much more success in his/her classroom.

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