Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Common Accommodations:
As defined by Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ADHD
is a chronic condition that includes some
combination of problems, such as:
o Difficulty sustaining
attention o Hyperactivity
o Distractibility
o Impulsive behavior
o Visual timer for work completion
o Reminders – written, verbal, and
gestures/visual
o Chunk assignments
o Mini-breaks
o Movement
o Preferred seating (away from distractions
and allowed movement when needed)
o Unobtrusive redirection as
needed o Quit work area
o Assignment choices when
possible o Hands on learning
o Organizational checklists

Educational Approaches for Students with ADHD:

o Build a relationship
o Structured instructional and transition
times o Differentiate instruction
o Vary instruction
o Provide/allow for movement
o Use choice boards
o Model skills using Think Aloud
o Social skills instruction
o Behavior specific praise
o Chunk/smaller part assignments
o Clear and concise directions
Common Characteristics of ADHD:
Academic:
o Poor physical or visual organizational skills
o Difficulty sustaining attention/easily
distracted o Impulsive
o Poor school performance/missing
assignments o Academic deficits
o Low self-esteem

o Social skill deficit (etiquette, sharing,

conversation, etc.) o Miss social cues
o Forgetful (may be read as selfish)
o Interrupt conversations to change subject
o Troubled relationships

o Active/in constant motion

o Lack sense of personal space/body awareness/understand
others space o Chronic combination of problems
o Sleep difficulty

Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with ADHD:

o Provide jobs that allow movement
o Response cards & choral
responding o Movement
o Drama
o Journaling
o Foldables
o Schedule short
breaks o Chunk work
o Choice
o Graphic Organizers