School can easily become a nightmare for a child who has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The child who is hyperactive, impulsive and has difficulty concentrating might get labeled as a bad kid, have trouble completing assignments and staying seated and receive low grades. Parents, teachers and students with ADHD can work together to make sure the child has an effective school plan, which usually entails the school making adaptations for the child.
Seating the Student
Children and teens who have ADHD become distracted easily, so many teachers and schools will try to accommodate these students by choosing their seats wisely. They try to sit these students near the front and away from friends, talkative students and other distractions, such as windows. Teachers may also seat a child near a student who is a good role model and follows directions. This student might become the child's partner in school projects.
Extra Time
Many schools work with students with this disorder by giving them more time to complete assignments, quizzes and tests. The student might take the test away from the class in a less-distracting atmosphere and have as long as she needs to take the test. The teacher may also work with parents to give the child less homework than other students. She might break the student's homework up into smaller, more manageable assignments.
Peer Notes
Some teachers ask one or two students who are good note-takers to share their notes with a peer who struggles with ADHD. After class, the teacher will copy the other student's notes and give the child with ADHD the copy to study with. Some teachers will provide a condensed form of their own notes to children who struggle with mental health and learning disorders.
Rewards and Discipline
Children with ADHD do well with short-term rewards. A teacher may give a child with ADHD a lot of praise when he behaves appropriately or give him a short-term reward, such as a sticker, for acting appropriately. Many times, children with ADHD need motivation and guidance, so teachers may write a quick note home in the child's planner to let the parents know she had a good day or bad day. Some teachers are too busy to write notes and use stickers instead--a smiley face for a good day and frowning face for a bad day. This keeps the parents informed and holds the student accountable. They'll want to work toward a smiling sticker.
The teacher may also give the student more leeway than other students who don't struggle with the disorder, especially in terms of interrupting and calling out answers. The teacher might have a "secret word" that she uses with the child who has ADHD to warn him before reprimanding him in front of the other children.
