Special Education Needs

  TEACHING STRATEGIES TO HELP WITH
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS -

TEACHING PUPILS WITH ADHD

• Try to seat pupils close to teacher and away from windows or doors.
• Try to sit pupil beside others who are good role models.
• Use worksheets which have broken the tasks down into simple steps.
• Try to alternate lessons, physical with sitting down activities.
• Set short, achievable targets and give immediate rewards on completion.
• Use large type and provide only one or two activities per page.  Avoid any unnecessary illustrations.
• Keep classroom rules clear and simple.
• Give the child responsibilities; use him as a volunteer to write on board etc.
• Use praise and attention when behaviour is good.
• Maintain eye contact with the pupil during verbal instruction.
• Encourage the child to verbalise what is to be done, first to the teacher and then to himself.
• Use checklists for each subject which the child can tick on completion.
• Try to provide timetable of lessons or activities; children with ADHD like predictability. Have the timetable symbols on velcro and when that activity is finished actually remove the symbol and place on the finished or done side.  This gives a reminder of what has already happened and what is to come, it also allows for quick substitutions for the suddenlys. Build in a choice or two along the way to give the child some element of control.
   
• Use consistent routines for getting out and putting away equipment.
• If child has a temper tantrum, remove him/her from class as quickly as possible.  Remain calm, talking quietly.  Do not let him/her see you are upset.

Checklist for ADHD indicators (pdf) (source: Questions Publishing)
Teaching Children with ADHD

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