Emotional and academic support for students with ADHD: A practical approach -

ADHD is not a learning disability, but ….

…it still negatively affects student’s emotional wellbeing and academic performance, right? And both parents and teachers wonder how to support students with ADHD at home or at school (which is even trickier with virtual learning environments). Still, in no way is ADHD classified as a learning disability in the DSM-5-TR (a manual mental health professionals use to classify disorders).

In fact, ADHD or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that negatively impacts attention, memory, and organization:

Students find it difficult to focus on repetitive tasks;
Often fidget, interrupt others, or get up from their seats;
Classroom noise or movement easily distract them;
Can’t focus on lengthy or multi-step instructions;
Have poor time management skills, resulting in missed deadlines;
Might find it difficult to follow social norms in peer communication, resulting in conflicts.

Here are a few ways you can do as a teacher or a parent to alleviate those challenges 🧐.

1: Consider positive reinforcement approach

In very simple words, a positive reinforcement approach is the way you praise and reward desired behaviors in someone and encourage that someone to continue behaving in a certain way.

For an ADHD student, that might be verbal praise or a small reward once they complete an assignment, stay seated during class, or follow instructions without too many reminders.

The key is to encourage the repetition of positive, goal-oriented behaviors.

For instance, you can introduce a “focus card” for younger students. Every time your ADHD student sits and focuses for 10 minutes, they get a star on their card. After five stars, they earn a small prize, such as a sticker or the chance to choose the next class activity.

2: Introduce mindfulness and self-regulation exercises

Sure, you might not be a licensed therapist, but you can consult a mental health professional at school and ask how you can help students improve their focus and emotional regulation.

You can even create a quiet “reset corner” with a breathing visual and soft lighting that any student can use for a few-minute mindfulness break. However, such DIY projects are more effective for older students than the younger ones.

Meanwhile, a few simple exercises that you can teach your ADHD students include deep breathing, body scans, stretching or light movement (a great way to release excess energy), which leads us to…

3: Offer short breaks during classes

A perfect time to stretch, move, or even dance! Let’s say you see that a student with ADHD becomes increasingly restless about 20 minutes into each lesson. There is no need to ask them to sit still as it won’t work. Instead, they need to release that energy. So, you can build a system where an ADHD kid raises a special “break pass” card once per lesson to take a short movement break.

And here is another “break” to consider, which is ….

4: Break tasks into smaller steps

Yeap, so simple. Why? Because a large, complex assignment is a tough nut to crack for an ADHD student. Commonly, complex tasks require a LOT of focus and attention, and, as we know, that’s what ADHD students struggle with the most.

Turn big projects into smaller chunks with clear deadlines for each part of the task;
Use bullet-point lists or checkboxes for clarity and to show the sequence of instructions aka actions a student has to take in order to complete the task;
Allow the student to complete one part at a time, with a short break in between;
Use color coding for steps, activities, or subjects. For instance, you can use blue for brainstorming, green for writing, and red for editing.

5: Offer flexible homework approaches

Rigid, one-size-fits-all assignments are often overwhelming to ADHD students who require thorough, multi-step instructions and often more time to complete the task.

When you offer maximum flexibility, you’re giving students the chance to show what they’ve learned in a way that suits their needs and interests. Most importantly, you help your ADHD students boost confidence in completing tasks.

Here are a few ways to make homework more flexible:

Let students choose between several assignment formats (poster, essay, slideshow);
Allow oral presentations or videos instead of written reports;
Provide both written and verbal homework instructions;
Offer extended time to complete assignments.

6: Reduce distractions in the classroom

Sounds, movement, and even lighting can pull the attention of an ADHD student away from the class. A noisy or visually busy classroom makes it harder for them to focus, regulate their behavior, and complete tasks.

Here is what you can do to create a calm environment to reduce overstimulation:

Seat students away from high-traffic areas like doors and windows;
Allow noise-canceling headphones or soft earplugs during individual work;
Use neutral colors and limit clutter in the classroom;
Use desk dividers if needed.

7: Support open communication

It is critical that an ADHD student feels seen, heard, and understood because oftentimes, they receive more criticism than praise. A strong communication loop helps spot challenges early, build a support system around the student, and keep parents and teachers aligned on strategies and goals.

Here are a few ways to ensure open communication:

Set regular parent-teacher check-ins (monthly or bi-weekly;
Invite students to share how they feel through check-in circles or emotion charts;
Celebrate small victories with positive notes, certificates, or verbal praise.