ADHD students are usually easily distracted and easily bored, it is a good idea to set up your classroom in such as way as to optimise their focus and increase their chances of success.
Remember that the best ideas are the ones that benefit all the students in the classroom, not just the ADHD students!
1. With ADHD students it is usually better to use rows in your seating arrangement and to avoid groups of students. Often the groups are too distracting for the ADHD student.
2. In the ideal setting, provide tables for limited and specific group projects, and traditional rows for independent work.
3. Some teachers have suggested arranging desks in a horseshoe shape to promote appropriate discussion while permitting independent work.
4. Teachers must be able to move about the entire room and to have access to all students. Practice "Management By Walking Around" in your classroom.
5. Make eye contact with your students, especially those with inattentive ADHD.
6. Have your ADHD students seated nearest to the place in the class where you will give directions or lectures. Seat them as close as possible without being punitive to them.
7. Do not seat ADHD students in the back of the classroom. To minimise distractions, seat attention deficit students away from both the hallway and windows.
8. Stand near attention deficit students when giving directions or presenting the lesson. Use the ADHD student's worksheet as an example when you are giving the directions.
9. Make sure that the attention deficit students know what's going on around them. As best as you can, provide comfortable lighting and room temperatures.
10. Raise your expectations for their performance and let them know what your expectations are.
Let them know that you believe that they can succeed in your classroom, but there will be a price to pay in terms of effort and organisation. Let them know that you will help as much as possible to make them believe in themselves.
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