How to support a child with ADHD in the classroom

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’, a neurodevelopment condition that affects how people think, behave, and regulate their attention. Children with ADHD may appear restless, find it difficult to concentrate, or act impulsively. It’s important to understand that ADHD is not a reflection of a child’s intelligence or effort, and with the right support, children with ADHD can thrive in the classroom.

For more in-depth information, the NHS website is a great source.

What causes ADHD?

The exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, but researchers have found that it tends to run in families. Scientists have also identified several factors that are more commonly seen with ADHD:

• Premature birth
• Exposure to substances during pregnancy
• Low birth weight

There is currently no cure for ADHD, but medicine is offered to help battle ADHD. Treatment involves a combination of medication, behavioural strategies, and tailored educational support. The goal is to help children manage ADHD effectively and build on their strengths. 

ADHD at school

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions among school-aged children, with research indicating that roughly 5% of school-aged children in the UK have ADHD, which is approximately 694,000 children nationwide. Many children may also be undiagnosed, so it’s likely some pupils will show signs of ADHD in your classroom without a formal diagnosis.

As a teacher its possible you will come across a student with ADHD, so here are three key tips to help support these children:

• Build a strong relationship with the child’s parents

Parents and carers know their child better than anyone. Building a good relationship with them early on gives you insight to the child’s strengths, interests, triggers and what strategies work at home. This will enable you to connect with the child on their level, knowing what motivates them, what they find challenging and what support makes them feel seen and valued. Regular, positive communication goes a long way in building trust with both the child and their family.

• Break down tasks and use varied teaching techniques

Work that comes in big chunks may overwhelm students with ADHD, causing them to lose focus and go off task, this will then lead them to distract themselves or others. Ways to prevent this from happening are by breaking up the workload. Dividing up lessons and large projects into smaller chunks is a great way to retain the child’s attention and ensure they’re on task, as having a smaller workload means they’re less overwhelmed. Using new techniques is also a great way to keep the student engaged, for example, you could turn the workload into a game or puzzle so they’re entertained, but learning throughout.

• Adapt the classroom environment to support focus

Simple adjustments to the physical environment can have a big impact. Think about what helps a child focus, do they benefit from a quieter workspace, fidget tools, standing desk or a focus area for certain tasks?

Brain breaks. Short, structured movement breaks during lessons can also help reset focus and reduce restlessness. Extended time on tasks and assessments is another adjustment to consider particularly when an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is in place. What works for one child may not work for another, so flexibility is key. Being willing to try different approaches is essential.

A teacher’s perspective

After reaching out to local Hertfordshire teacher and TikTok star Kit Brown he gave us an insight into how he has dealt with students with ADHD in his classroom. He emphasises the importance of getting to know each child as an individual, their interests, how they learn best, and what helps them stay engaged.

One adjustment Kit made was allowing a pupil who struggled to sit in a chair due to his ADHD to sit on a table instead. He said “Think to yourself, just because they aren’t sitting down in their seat or they’re fidgeting doesn’t mean they’re not listening. I had a child in my class whom I would allow to sit on the table (safely) because he found it challenging to sit in his chair because of his ADHD. This was perfectly fine and his learning always got done!” This easy but effective task tackled the problem that Kit’s student faced and ensured the learning still got completed.

He also highlights the value of short, achievable steps, fidget tools and flexible seating arrangements, as well as the importance of not equating movement with disengagement: a child who is fidgeting or not sitting may still be listening and learning.

With the right strategies in place, children with ADHD can make excellent progress and contribute a huge amount to your classroom. Supporting them well isn’t just good for the individual child, it often benefits the whole class.

Here at Engage, we recruit enthusiastic and committed education professionals to work in our SEND schools and mainstream schools as SEND teachers, Learning Support Assistants (CTA) and teaching assistants. Connect with our SEND Team by registering today!