Back to School with ADHD: Accommodations That Make a Difference
By Kathryn Feder, NCC, LMHC
Director of School-Based Services and Clinical Director, Hallowell Todaro Seattle
This is personally my favorite time of year. A new school year means so much possibility. As the director of school-based services at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center, I personally understand and appreciate all the emotions the back-to-school time brings for both students and their families. Excitement to see friends and go back-to-school shopping. Fear and worry about who their teacher will be; will there be lots of homework; and will they have any classes with their friends?
Students with ADHD also have a unique set of challenges that the school year brings. The novelty of the start of the year can wane and challenges in the classroom can start to emerge. Historically, the school environment has not always been so friendly to neurodivergent students. But from my personal and professional experience, I am seeing that our schools are changing as more information on how students best learn emerges – which gives me a lot of hope.
Even with the changes that I am seeing, many students with ADHD would benefit from additional support in the classroom. That can be done in a more formal way with 504 plans or Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), but also informally with accommodations made by the classroom teacher.
Here at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center, our school-services team can help guide you on what accommodations would help your student; can help guide you through the 504 or IEP process; and much more. And here are suggestions for accommodations that could be helpful for your student based on some ADHD symptoms (please remember that each student is unique and even if multiple students have the same diagnosis of ADHD, the accommodations that will work for one student may not work for others):
Impulsivity in the classroom
Preferential seating; near the front of the classroom or near the teacher and away from distractions
Assignments
Extra time to complete assignments
Breaking larger assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks with more frequent due dates
Classroom instructions
Allow students to take a picture of the board with written assignments or instructions
Provide a hard copy of written assignments or notes
If a student is off task or not focused on instructions, come up with a discrete signal to help redirect the student. Pro tip: Ask the student to help come up with the signal (i.e. teacher taps the desk as they walk by)
For younger students, visual schedules taped to the desk can also help them know what is going on now and what is going to happen next
Classroom behavior
Allow student to have a fidget
Foot hammock on their seat to help get some of the wiggles out in a safe way
Before it's needed, create a place in the classroom the student can go to calm down or re-group
Allow older students to take a quick walk in the hall or grab some water
Again, this list is not exhaustive but a good starting point for a personalized plan or support coming up with accommodations that would be beneficial for your student. We encourage you to work with one of our school service providers to come up with a plan.
Wishing everyone an amazing school year!
Continue your learning!
ADHD Groups & Classes
View our upcoming ADHD classes, webinars, and support groups for people of all ages.