Understanding ADHD means more than just recognising restlessness or inattention.

It’s about seeing potential, creating structure, and equipping students with the tools they need to thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally.

Here are a few proven strategies to help you support students with ADHD in your classroom:

1.Adjust Workload to Suit the Student
Children with ADHD may avoid tasks that are overly long or too challenging. Try breaking work into smaller chunks or providing alternative ways to demonstrate understanding. The goal is to build confidence and reduce overwhelm.

2. Offer Choices
When students have options, their sense of control increases. For example, provide a variety of activities to practice spelling—like air-writing, flashcards, or using the words in a silly sentence. Choice reduces resistance and improves engagement.

3. Use Visual Cues
Kids with ADHD often benefit from visual supports. Keep instructions visible, use visual timers, and consider posting key concepts around the room to reinforce learning. Demonstrating tasks on the board can also improve clarity.

4. Encourage Active Participation
From mini whiteboards to partner chats and thumbs-up responses—getting students actively involved helps maintain attention and makes learning fun. Collaborative group work or peer discussions can be powerful tools for retention.

5. Create Clear Rules & Routines
Short, positive, and consistent rules work best. Instead of "No talking when you enter," try "Come in, check the board, and get started quietly." Predictable routines help students with ADHD stay on track and reduce anxiety.

6. Provide Extra Supervision & Support
Due to distractibility and impulsivity, students with ADHD often need more reminders and check-ins. Enlist classroom buddies, touch base at the end of the day, and use aides where possible to support follow-through.

7. Build In Movement
ADHD brains need motion. Whether it’s running an errand, stretching, or fidgeting quietly at their desk—physical movement can actually improve focus. Find ways to incorporate it into your day without disrupting the flow.

8. Protect Recess Time
Recess is essential—not optional. It helps regulate energy and improve concentration. Using it as a consequence for unfinished work can backfire, especially for students with ADHD who benefit most from unstructured play.

9. Focus on Relationships & Positivity
Simple things like greeting students by name or celebrating small wins can make a big impact. Give frequent, specific praise and use open-ended questions when correcting behavior: “Was that the best choice?” instead of issuing a reprimand.

10. Use Accommodations Thoughtfully
From extra time on tests to chunking long-term assignments, thoughtful accommodations can ease pressure without lowering expectations. ADHD students can shine when given the right environment to do so.

Your Impact Matters!

Creating an ADHD-inclusive classroom doesn’t mean overhauling your teaching. It’s about making small, intentional shifts that can lead to big changes in how a child experiences school.

With your support, students with ADHD can feel seen, valued, and capable of success. And those are the classrooms they'll remember forever.