ADHD Educational Methods
Instructional Tools and Physical Learning Environment
Accomidations
Special instructional tools that modify the classroom learning environment to accommodate students with ADHD are often used by skilled teachers. Tools such as the ones listed below are very helpful to the teachers monitoring the learning environments.
Pointers
- Provide the student with a bookmark, or other objects, that can help the student to follow along with the readings during class. Teach them how to use the book mark or pointer to help visually track the words as they are being said.
Egg Timers
- record for the children the time at which the lesson is starting and the time at which it will conclude. Set a timer to indicate to children how much time remains in the lesson and place the timer at the front of the classroom; the children can check the timer to see how much time remains
Classroom Lights
- Turning the classroom lights on and off reminds children that the noise level in the room is too high and they should be quiet. You can also use this technique to queue the students that the next lesson is about to begin.
Other Examples:
- Music.
"Play music to show children that they are too noisy.Also, Playing different types of music communicates to children what level of activity is appropriate for a particular lesson. For example, play quiet classical music for quiet activities done independently and jazz for active group activities. " - Proper use of furniture.
"The desk and chair used by children with ADHD need to be the right size; if they are not, the child will be more inclined to squirm and fidget. A general rule of thumb is that a child should be able to put his or her elbows on the surface of the desk and have his or her chin fit comfortably in the palm of the hand"
Sources Cited
Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices-- Pg 5. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2015, from http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/adhd/adhd-teaching_pg5.html#instructional