5 Unrealistic Things We Ask of Our Students

with ADHD:

1: "Stop moving and fidgeting"

They have an internal engine that isn't going to slow down

fidget toys

movement during the lesson

errands

2: "Follow" multiple step "directions"

-One direction at a time

-Written AND oral directions

-Picture cues or sound cues

3: "Focus" on everything with equal attention

-Hard time tuning out distractions

-Even harder when a task is challenging

-They CAN focus on things they enjoy

4: Gauge their volume

and energy

-Provide a gauge of 1-5 or 1-10

-Provide warnings based on that gauge

-Saying"lower your voice" & "calm down" don't help them gauge their actions

5: Listen to me when I shout

in your direction!

-Make them stop what they doing before giving directions

-Make them repeat the directions back to you

10 Quick Tips

for Teachers

1) Discreetly mark the paper of ADHD students so they know what they need to do!

2)

My buddies help me stay on task and have the right stuff for class!

3) Have a special job for ADHD students so they don't have free time to get off track!