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School Supports for ADHD

School is where your child will spend most of their time when outside your home. Collaborating with your child’s teacher can be a crucial step in enhancing their education, fostering confidence and improving skills. Consider establishing a support plan for your child in school the next step after receiving an ADHD diagnosis.

There are two types of formal support plans for a student with ADHD, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan. Both were established by the Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. An IEP will include both academic and social emotional support, a child must be evaluated and qualify for this level of services in their school. A 504 Plan can be established in most schools at parent’s request by providing basic verification of an ADHD diagnosis. If your child is enrolled in a private or charter education setting, this plan may be called a growth plan or support plan. Establishing a 504 Plan or support plan is a great place for a parent to start.

A 504 plan will include accommodations that are intended to help your child learn the same information as their classmates. They can include changes to the environment, structure of their day or how they access their educational content. Some helpful accommodations to conder are found below. As always, an educational plan should be tailored to your child’s specific learning needs, collaborating with their classroom teacher will help you create a great plan.

Inattention and Focus Strategies

  • Preferential seating, away from distractions, near the teacher or close to a positive role model/helpful classmate.
  • Breaking longer or large assignments into smaller parts.
  • Checking with student to ensure they understood the assignment or instructions.
  • Testing in a quiet space or limiting distractions, extended time for testing.
  • Access to timers, movement breaks, quiet fidgets/wiggle cushions/chair bands.
  • Limiting repetitive assignments, extended time for larger projects or assignments.
  • Providing organizational tools such as color-coded folders, guided notes or a planner.
  • Using technology to complete assignments-voice to text, visual organizers etc.

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Strategies

  • Activity breaks, planned throughout the day that can include a helping role or walk.
  • Ignoring minor misbehavior, praising positive behavior and small successes.
  • Incentive systems for desired behavior.
  • Frequent reminders, to review their completed work or complete a task.
  • Extra time to complete tasks and increased supervision during transitions.

Including your child in this plan can be very helpful. They may insight about their day, when they notice they are the most distracted or need more movement. Some schools already have a positive behavior plan in place, smaller goals can be added in to help incentive desired behavior in the classroom. Talk more with your child and their classroom teacher about what might work and how they can implement these strategies in the classroom to support your child. Consider more frequent “check ins” with your child’s teacher as well, as they become older an established support person or advisor can help in that role.

These are just some ideas to get started and the plan will grow with your child as their unique needs change. Your pediatrician, behavioral health provider and teacher or school counselor can all help tailor the plan to your child’s needs.

Sources:

  • Barkley, R. (2008). Classroom Accommodations for Children with ADHD. ADHD Report.
  • Parker, H. (2012). Accommodations Help Students with Attention Deficit Disorders. A.D.D. WareHouse.
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