Classroom Accommodations

Classroom Management

Good classroom managers have efficient classrooms that meet the educational and psychological needs of their students. Classrooms are structured so that rules and routines are well known by the students and consistently followed. Transitions among lessons and activities are smooth. The teacher is able to give the impression that the he or she is aware of all activities by students in the classroom.Teachers with good classroom management skills meet the educational and personality needs of their students, regardless of their students’ abilities and special needs. Student misbehavior especially misbehavior related to ADHD symptoms, can be prevented by careful attention to the following:

the physical environment of the classroom (including minimizing distracting classroom displays)
establishing and practicing with the students rules and procedures for routines and classroom tasks
organizing lesson plans and instruction in a way that minimizes interruptions
increasing teacher awareness in the classroom by letting students know you are aware of their actions at all times

Accommodations are intended to help students with ADHD learn the same information as other students. They are changes to the structures and/or the environment that provide support to help students access the curriculum. Accommodations work best when they are tailored for the individual needs of the student based on the severity and symptoms of their ADHD and any other co-occurring conditions. It is important to observe the student to see which accommodations are effective – and effectiveness of accommodations can change over time. Students can also be enlisted in figuring out what helps them the most. This will also ensure that the accommodations are seen as support instead of punishment. Teachers, parents, and students should partner together to address needs and supports.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition lists two categories of symptoms of ADHD—inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive. Students may have only one type, or they may have both types of symptoms. The accommodations that are appropriate for each student depend on the symptoms and on how much they impact the student.

Social Skills

Besides creating academic challenges, ADHD also affects social skills. Student may have trouble controlling their emotions, and younger kids especially may have difficulty keeping their hands to themselves. They might not interpret social cues effectively. They could also struggle with conversational skills. These challenges often cause students with ADHD to have difficulty making and keeping friends.

As a teacher, you can help by providing a positive learning environment. You can also teach, show, and support appropriate behavior in the following ways:

Praise the student for good behavior more often than punishing for bad. Give encouragement and reassurance. Let the student hear they are succeeding. Frequent but brief feedback that lets the student know they are on the right track is often very effective.
Work with students to set up a private signal, either visually or verbally, to help them recognize when their behavior is bordering on inappropriate. When prompting behavior you want it to be a reminder rather than a reprimand.
Promote self-awareness. Ask students to describe the problem or issue they are having. Ask them why they think it is happening and how they can change their behavior.
Give opportunities for group or paired learning. The opportunities provide a structured setting for students to interact with classmates.
Provide opportunities for other students to see them in a positive light. You might ask the student to help you with a task or give him or her a leadership role in the classroom for a day―anything to help the student feel connected to the classroom and the school.
Provide feedback in one-on-one settings. Not only do you preserve self-esteem by providing feedback privately, but you also can help reinforce positive behavior and have the student practice having a conversation with you to improve social skills.

Accommodating ADHD in the Classroom

ADHD: Inattentive Symptoms

Students with inattentive symptoms are easily distracted and have trouble focusing. Everything competes for their attention. They often struggle to follow through with instructions and have difficulty with organization.

To help students with managing inattentive symptoms, the following accommodations can be effective:

Seating the student in an area with fewer distractions where he or she can focus on the lesson. For example, near the teacher’s desk, away from windows and the doorway, or in another area that has few distractions.
Seating the student next to positive role models, peers who are less likely to provide distractions and can help them stay on task.
Breaking long assignments into smaller parts. This allows students to see both the start and end of the task.
Making sure all assignments are clear and provided in writing in addition to giving them out loud.
Checking with the student before they complete an assignment to see if they heard and understood instructions. Ask them to repeat it back to verify understanding.
Allowing them to take tests in a different room, one that is quiet and has few distractions. Or using aids such as headphones or privacy boards to create quiet spaces in the classroom.
Giving more time to complete assignments, projects, and tests.
Using a timer or alarm to help with time management.
Providing breaks. Depending on the student, these could include stretching, walking to the board to complete a task, or handing out assignments or materials.
Limiting repetitive assignments, particularly those the students has already mastered, or tasks that are too far above the student’s level. Students are most able to pay attention to tasks that present some challenge but are within their current learning zone.
Making sure that the student has the opportunity for physical activities because active movement increases the ability to focus. Recess should never be taken away as a punishment for misbehavior.
Providing tools to help with organization, such as different colored folders, a notebook with dividers, or a homework assignment book.
Using computers or tablets for work. Computers are visually stimulating and allow for more engagement and also help students organize their thoughts.

ADHD: Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms

Students with hyperactive-impulsive symptoms move a lot. They fidget, squirm, and have difficulty staying seated. They often talk excessively, blurt out answers, and have trouble taking turns.

To help students manage their hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, the following accommodations can be effective:

Seating the student in an area of the room where there will be the least disruption. This might be towards either side of the classroom rather than the center.
Allowing for the student to move around. You could allow the student to do their work while standing, sitting on the floor, or moving between desks.
Pairing the student with a peer who is a good role model and can model appropriate behavior.
Providing activity breaks. Depending on the student, these could include stretching, walking to the board to complete a task, or handing out assignments or materials.
Ignoring minor misbehavior.
Allowing the student to move or fidget in a non-distracting manner. They might tap their foot in the air or rotate their pen back and forth in their hands. Asking the student to offer suggestions is always a great way to get more ideas.
Allowing them to take tests in a different room. One that is quiet, has few distractions, and lets them move around without interrupting other students.
Praising when they exhibit appropriate behavior such as raising their hands and waiting to be called.
Limiting repetitive assignments, particularly those the students has already mastered, or tasks that are too far above the student’s level. Fidgeting is often a symptom of boredom or overstimulation.
Making sure that the student has the opportunity for physical activities. Recess should never be taken away as a punishment for misbehavior.
Using a speaking stick or other object that gets passed around during class discussions as a cue to indicate whose turn it is to speak.

ADHD: combined symptoms

Many students with ADHD show a combination of inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behaviors. You can use a combination of accommodations from both lists. One of the best ways to identify which accommodations might work best is to observe the student’s natural behavior.

Some sample behaviors and accommodations include:

Sample Behaviors	Accommodations
Constantly moving in their seat	Try giving them options for how they can do their work and provide breaks.
Attention wavers, but when focused blurts out answers	Try consistent praise for raising their hands and seating them in an area with minimal distractions.
Has trouble completing assignments and tests in the allotted time because of distractions	Try an alternative test setting or breaking up assignments and tests into smaller sections. Allow extra time to complete tests.
Taps a pen constantly that is distracting to other students	Let the student know privately that tapping their pen is a distraction. Ask them if they have other suggestion for how they could focus. You might offer that they could wave their pen in the air, wiggle it between their fingers, or replace the pen with a soft object to tap that won’t make noise.

References

Barkley, R. (2008). Classroom Accommodations for Children with ADHD. ADHD Report.

Dendy, C., Durheim, M., & Ellison, A. (2006). CHADD Educator’s Manual. Lynchburg, VA: Progress Printing.

Parker, H. (2012). Accommodations Help Students with Attention Deficit Disorders. A.D.D. WareHouse.

Zentall, S. (2006). ADHD and Education Foundations, Characteristics, Methods, and Collaboration. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Chaban, P., McAuley, T., & Tannock, R. (2009). ADHD and Social-Emotional Abilities. www.AboutKidsHealth.ca.

For Educators