ADHD at school: strategies to support children and adolescents

ADHD at school: strategies to support children and adolescents

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Attention and hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD) It is a neurobiological condition that can significantly influence the school experience of children and adolescents. ADHD at school It often manifests itself with difficulty concentration, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, hindering learning and relationships with teachers and companions.

How can educators and parents support students with ADHD? In this article we will explore effective strategies to manage theADHD in primary school, secondary school And in high schoolproviding practical suggestions to improve the school experience of children and adolescents.

ADHD AND SCHOOL: a general picture

The ADHD is characterized by difficulties in maintaining attention, controlling impulsive behavior and managing hyperactivity. At school, this can translate into a series of obstacles, such as the difficulty in completing the tasks, respect the rules And Organize the study. In addition, impulsiveness can make social interactions more complicated with companions and teachers.

So how to behave with an ADHD child at school? An educational environment that takes into account the needs of the pupils with neurodicjects and puts in practice ad hoc strategies (for example, with a personalized teaching plan for each) it can make the difference in the students’ school path, helping them to feel safer and more supported.

ADHD in the kindergarten

The ADHD in children It can start manifesting already in kindergarten with difficulty in maintaining attention on an activity, constant restlessness and impulsiveness. Educators can adopt targeted strategies that help develop attention and self -control.

Create structured routines It offers children’s safety, while games that stimulate self -regulation and respect for shifts can help them improve class behavior.

Even the use of visual supports, such as illustrated images and cards, can facilitate understanding of the rules.

ADHD in primary school: difficulties and educational strategies

There school It represents a crucial phase for learning and development of social skills. The ADHD in primary school children can manifest themselves with difficulty in staying concentrated and complete the tasks, but some strategies can help them manage school everyday better.

Tools like table And timer are useful for organizing activities, while Short active breaks Between one exercise and the other they allow the child to download excess energy. Multisensory learning, which involves visual, auditory and tactile stimuli, facilitates memorization and understanding.

Also the relational support He plays an important role: a teacher who adopts a positive and encouraging approach can really make a difference.

ADHD in secondary and high school: new challenges and adaptations

Moving on to second grade secondary school and high schooldifficulties can increase due to a more demanding load of study and the need for greater autonomy. Students with ADHD can experience problems in the organization and management of time, making it necessary to use specific strategies.

Planners and checklists can help divide the tasks into small steps, while active storage techniques such as concept maps And summary they favor learning.

Emotional support also plays an important role: encouraging trust in one’s skills and providing tools to manage stress can improve their school experience.

In addition, digital technologies can be a valid ally to optimize the study.

ADHD and School Strategies

The teachers he is parents They play a key role in supporting children with ADHD. To support these students during school hours, teachers can, for example:

  • adopt a flexible approach
  • provide clear and concise instructions
  • use positive reinforcements To keep the motivation high
  • Create structured learning spaces.

ADHD at school. Effective strategies for teachers (published by Erickson, 2013) It can be a useful reading for those who teach because it suggests concrete interventions with which to deal effectively with educational and educational needs.

Some students can benefit from school supportwith targeted interventions to improve their learning and socialization skills.

Parents, at home, can support the strategies put in place by teachers. For example, they can create an organized environment and with predictable routinesmaintain an open dialogue with teachers and encourage extra-school activities that favor the development of social skills.

Didactic activities for students with ADHD

School activities should be adapted to the age of pupils with ADHD, so as to meet their needs.

ADHD children’s activities in the primary schoolsuch as Mindfulness and Role-Playing exercises, they can help them develop greater self-control.

ADHD activities in the middle schoolon the other hand, they can consist in dividing homework into small steps and use interactive educational games.

The ADHD in the second grade secondary school It can be managed with the use of digital tools for the organization of the study. Personalized learning can make a big difference and encourage the sense of realization and self -efficacy of the pupil, even in the subsequent adulthood.

The ADHD can be, at school, a real challenge, but with the right strategies And a favorable environment, it is possible to encourage school success and the well -being of students.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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