How to See Behaviour Differently

Ever found yourself thinking, “Why does this student keep doing that?”
Or feeling frustrated when a child doesn’t respond to your usual strategies?

You’re not alone.

But here’s the truth: behaviour is communication.

And when we shift our lens—from “won’t” to “can’t yet”—we begin to see these kids completely differently.

Try This ADHD Lens
Instead of seeing:

Try This in Your Classroom:
Pause and ask: “What’s the need underneath this behaviour?”

Use Co-regulation Strategies Before Correction:

-Mind mapping ideas

-Breaking instructions into pieces

-Allowing students to use time blocks to break tasks up

-Build in regular movement to reset the threshold of capacity to absorb learning

Try Making External and Internal Accommodations:

External - wobble chairs, sensory weighted blanket, fidgets, quiet reading area, bands on chairs, movement, music, drama. 

Internal - sharing circle to discuss questions, desk buddy to guide students, journaling ideas, photos of magnificent moments, peer mentors. 

Assume lagging skills, not bad intentions

Offer structure and flexibility

Behaviour doesn’t need to be perfect to be progressing.
When we change how we see the child, we change how we support them—and that’s where real growth begins.