Dealing with disruptive classroom behavior
To head off behavior that takes time from other students, work out a
couple of warning signals with the student who has ADHD. This can be a
hand signal, a trigger word, or any pre-planned method of
communication. If you have to discuss the student’s behavior, do so in
private. Do not point out the student’s behaviour in class in front of other
students. Singling them out will make them feel attacked or humiliated.
They will find it difficult to trust you or come to you for advice. And try to
ignore mildly inappropriate behavior if it’s unintentional and isn’t
distracting other students or disrupting the lesson.
Classroom accommodations for students with ADHD
As a teacher, you can make changes in the classroom to help minimize
the distractions and disruptions of ADHD.
Seating:
Seat the student with ADHD away from windows and away from
the door – this helps minimize distractions.
Put the student with ADHD right in front of your desk unless that
would be a distraction for the student. This way they will not be as
distracted by other students and find it easier to focus on what you
are saying.
Seats in rows, with focus on the teacher, usually work better than
having students seated around tables or facing one another in
other arrangements.
Create a quiet area free of distractions for test-taking and quiet
study – this minimizes any distractions or anything that might
overwhelm the student and affect their ability to take the test. This
helps equalize the test taking platform – and helps students with
ADHD have a better shot at performing their best.
Information delivery:
Give instructions one at a time and repeat as necessary. Too
many instructions in a row will make it difficult for students with
ADHD to keep track and to shift from one step to another.
If possible, work on the most difficult material early in the day,
when they have more energy and find it easier to concentrate.
Trying to cut out distractions and manage emotions is an
exhausting task and children with ADHD are tired at the end of the
day. They are less able to minimize distractions and control their
behaviour and emotions.
Use visuals: charts, pictures, color coding, videos
Deliver information in short, clear points, organizing the information
in such a way that it reduces the amount of energy they have to
use to interpret and organize what you are
Student work:
Create worksheets and tests with fewer items, give frequent short
quizzes rather than long tests, and reduce the number of timed
tests.
Test students with ADHD in the way they do best, such as orally or
filling in blanks.
Divide long-term projects into segments and assign a completion
goal for each segment.
Accept late work and give partial credit for partial work.
Organization:
Help students organize their work, and make sure they have a
system in place to keep track of their work and tasks. Use visual
aids and clear dividers to separate subjects and create a timeline
of work so they can break down what they need to do and when.
Make sure the student has a system for writing down assignments
and important dates and uses it.
Allow time for the student to organize materials and assignments
for home.
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