About 1 in 9 U.S. children have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), so there’s no question that we have a critical need to develop effective strategies for students with ADHD. Most educators understand the unique challenges of teaching children with ADHD. The constant fidgeting, difficulty following instructions, and struggle to focus can be frustrating — for both the teacher and the student.
Trying to balance classroom management and giving individualized support can be daunting at best, but there’s good news: proven ADHD classroom strategies can make a significant difference in helping students thrive in school.
Keep reading to learn more about how to help students with ADHD.
Understanding ADHD in the classroom
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the ability to pay attention, control behavior and impulses, and regulate activity levels. In classroom settings, this can manifest as difficulty staying focused on tasks, following instructions, or staying organized. Students with ADHD often face challenges and symptoms such as:
- Struggling to complete assignments
- Finding it hard to sit still for long periods
- Impulsive behavior that often disrupts other students
- Trouble with time management
- Inability to stay organized
- Lower academic performance
Research shows that students with ADHD have a 25% lower GPA on average when compared to non-ADHD peers. Untreated ADHD can contribute to some of the causes of low graduation rates, including academic struggles, lack of individualized support, and challenges with emotional regulation. In fact, an estimated 32% - 35% of teens with ADHD drop out of school before their high school graduation, compared to just 15% of those without psychiatric conditions. Addressing these factors with effective and supportive strategies for students with ADHD can help more people stay on track to graduate.
Effective strategies to support students with ADHD
Fortunately, with actionable, effective strategies, educators can help students with ADHD in the classroom. The following methods are designed to address specific challenges faced by children with ADHD while creating a more supportive and conducive learning environment.
Create a structured & predictable environment
A structured classroom environment can benefit students with ADHD. They’ll feel more secure and focused when they have clear routines and defined expectations.
“Structured support, including time management techniques, classroom accommodations, and mindfulness practices, can benefit students with ADHD by providing a predictable environment that helps them manage their attention, reduce distractions, and stay focused on tasks, ultimately improving their academic performance. Structured environments have been proven to help with attention and focus, regulate behavior, improve organizational tasks, and reduce anxiety and stress.” - Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
Examples of effective strategies to help students with ADHD include:
- Establishing and following a consistent daily schedule
- Writing homework assignments on the board
- Using “row captains” to help make sure assignments are written down and work is collected
- Implementing a daily check-in system with a classroom aid
- Giving advance warnings before transitions
- Having seating arrangements that reduce distractions
- Using positive reinforcement
- Creating a structured reward system
Break tasks into manageable steps
Many children with ADHD become overwhelmed when trying to tackle large assignments. Helping them break tasks down into smaller, more familiar, more manageable steps can keep them focused and motivated. This approach, known as “chunking,” ensures students experience success more frequently, boosting their confidence and increasing engagement. Chunking helps to reduce cognitive load, helping students process, retain, and recall information later.
Incorporate movement breaks & active learning
It’s common for students with ADHD to struggle with hyperactivity, and they may find sitting still for extended periods extremely difficult. Help them by incorporating regular movement breaks and active learning strategies that can assist them in staying engaged and focused. Some ideas include:
- Offering short, structured breaks where they can stretch or do simple exercises
- Teaching them how to do “desk yoga”
- Doing quick physical activities between lessons
- Rotating between learning stations during class
- Incorporating hands-on learning tools and activities
Provide clear & concise instructions
Students with ADHD can benefit from clear, simple, step-by-step instructions. When giving directions, teachers should be sure to:
- Use simple and direct language
- Break complex instructions into smaller, more digestible steps
- Offer written instructions in addition to verbal ones
- Have students repeat instructions back to ensure they are understanding
Use positive reinforcement & encouragement
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool that can motivate students with ADHD. Immediately offer praise when a student completes a task or shows positive behavior. Encourage focus and positive behavior by implementing a rewards system. For example, students can earn points toward a special privilege or gain time to do a favorite classroom activity.
Remember how important it is to reinforce effort, not only outcomes. Students with ADHD might make progress that’s not clearly reflected as a perfect result — but any effort to stay on task or improve behavior should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Offer classroom accommodations for ADHD
Offering appropriate classroom accommodations to students with ADHD helps level the playing field. Some of the more common 504 accommodations include:
- Offering extended time on tests and assignments
- Giving preferential seating that’s near the teacher or away from distractions
- Allowing students to use noise-canceling headphones during independent work
- Ensuring students have break time, especially during long assignments or tests
- Providing a calm, quiet space for test-taking
- Implementing assistive technology for note-taking and organization
Implement assistive technology & tools
Technology can be extremely valuable for students with ADHD. Some helpful tools to have available in a classroom include:
- Text-to-speech software for challenging reading assignments
- Digital organizers and planners
- Timer apps that make managing work periods and breaks easier
- Note-taking apps with audio recording capabilities
Foster a supportive & inclusive learning environment
A classroom culture that values diversity and supports all learners is crucial for every student, but the benefits are even more profound for students with ADHD. Encourage classroom-wide peer support and collaboration. Educate students on neurodiversity and how to show compassion to their classmates. Creating a supportive and inclusive classroom promotes understanding and acceptance.
Encourage self-advocacy & emotional regulation
It’s vital to teach students with ADHD how to advocate for their needs. They must also learn to manage their emotions in healthy and constructive ways. This is essential for long-term success in school and later in life during the adult years.
“For teens with ADHD, effective behavioral and emotional regulation strategies aid in managing emotional outbursts resulting from stress and frustration and help teens to stay focused and on tasks. Techniques like deep breathing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and structured environments are key to success for this population.” - Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
Strategies that are known to help encourage self-advocacy and emotional regulation can include:
- Teaching mindfulness techniques
- Providing a “cool-down” space somewhere in the classroom
- Helping students identify and express their emotions in appropriate ways
- Showing students the power of learning to communicate their needs to teachers and peers
Collaborate with parents & specialists
Using a collaborative team approach can be the most effective when supporting children with ADHD. Regularly communicating with parents, school counselors, and other specialists helps ensure a child receives consistent support across all environments.
Supporting students and educators with professional resources
Recognizing the importance of supporting students with ADHD is crucial. It’s an ongoing process that takes education, resources, and support for students and educators. By implementing ADHD-friendly strategies, teachers can significantly improve student mental health, helping students build confidence and thrive academically. That said, managing ADHD can be taxing, leading teachers to feel stressed, frustrated, and burned out. As much as teachers do for their students, they must address their own needs, too.
Talkspace offers accessible mental health support for teachers and students. Online therapy is convenient and provides essential coping mechanisms, stress management tactics, and confidence-building skills. It’s a valuable resource that can help teachers navigate the challenges of supporting neurodivergent students while still taking care of themselves.
Request a demo today to learn how Talkspace can support school communities in managing ADHD and other mental health challenges with online therapy for students and teachers.
Sources:
- Danielson, Melissa L., Angelika H. Claussen, Rebecca H. Bitsko, Samuel M. Katz, Kimberly Newsome, Stephen J. Blumberg, Michael D. Kogan, and Reem Ghandour. 2024. “ADHD Prevalence Among U.S. Children and Adolescents in 2022: Diagnosis, Severity, Co-Occurring Disorders, and Treatment.” Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 53 (3): 343–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2024.2335625. Accessed February 13, 2025.
- Choc. 2023. “How Caregivers Can Promote School Success for Children With ADHD.” CHOC - Children’s Health Hub. October 9, 2023. https://health.choc.org/how-caregivers-can-promote-school-success-for-children-with-adhd/. Accessed February 13, 2025.
- Cooney, Meghan. 2020. “The Surprising Statistics of ADHD in Education.” Study.Com. January 2020. https://study.com/blog/the-surprising-statistics-of-adhd-in-education.html. Accessed February 13, 2025.