ADHD in the classroom

1. ADHD children tolerate change poorly--even positive change. They thrive in a consistent environment with minimal distractions.  Changing rules and boundaries frustrates them. 

2. ADHD children tend to have two kinds of time--plenty and none. They will resist doing schoolwork until they have too little time to complete their work. They need help with planning and organization.

3. Many ADHD children are dysgraphic and have trouble writing. Once a major problem,  many modern electronic solutions exist which include voice typing.  ( a dysgraphia joke   What do you call someone with bad handwriting? A doctor!)

4. Many ADHD children are visual and tactile in their learning style. Using visual training methods where possible is often quite effective. If reading is an issue, audio alternatives such as Audible.com and Bookshare.Org  exist.

5. Spelling is often phonetic ( i.e. wrong) for these children, and they can not use a standard dictionary if they can not spell a word correctly. Small paperback "Bad Speller Dictionaries" have words how they are spelled phonetically and then correctly. Just lose the cover as soon as you can. 

6. Children with ADHD frequently think people are in their personal space when they are actually at a reasonable distance. This leads to angry interactions, pushing and shoving.  

7.  Color can be helpful in invoking visual memory. Highlighting important information ( such as an area of a word spelled incorrectly, can allow them to visualize their problem area when tested.  Harry Lorayne, a memory expert has many books teaching a visual memory approach.