For Teachers: Solutions to Common Learning Challenges
For students with ADHD, unsteady attention and focus may interfere with learning across the board, especially reading, writing, and arithmetic lessons. The good news? These classroom strategies really can help address common challenges.
Next to parents, teachers are the most influential people in a student’s life—especially one with learning challenges.
Symptoms of ADHD can make it harder to learn and succeed in a traditional classroom. Reading, writing, and arithmetic lessons are further impacted by comorbid learning disabilities.
Here are some teaching strategies you can use to establish a supportive, structured classroom that will encourage learning, enforce discipline, and boost self-esteem.
For Teachers: Solutions to Common Learning Challenges
For students with ADHD, unsteady attention and focus may interfere with learning across the board. Reading, writing, and arithmetic lessons are further impacted by comorbid learning disabilities.
The good news? These classroom strategies really can help address common challenges.
1. Written Expression
Your student has difficulty writing essays and organizing ideas.
- Provide a graphic organizer showing the key components of an essay.
- Allow him to dictate ideas to a scribe.
- Or try using speech-recognition software like Dragon.
2. Reading Comprehension
Your student has trouble remembering what was read, identifying key points, or feels overwhelmed by long reading assignments.
- Put a colored paper clip at the end of the required reading section as a visual marker.
- Teach her to note the primary noun and verb in the first sentence of a paragraph to help identify key points.
- List those points on a sticky note and stick it beside the text.
3. Math Computation
Your student can’t remember multiplication tables and often mixes up even simple problems.
- Use blocks, tiles, or cards to work out computations physically.
- Use engaging math games like, “Times Tables the Fun Way.”
- Provide a multiplication grid to all students.
- Allow the use of calculators.
Our Editors Also Recommend
Free Download: What Every Teacher Should Know About ADHD
How Teachers Can Help Every Student Shine
