Reviewed by Rich Gallini, PhD
For many families, the school day (and entire school year!) can feel like a rollercoaster of reminders, redirection, and emotional ups and downs. This journey can be especially challenging when your child is living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While the classroom offers daily opportunities for growth, learning, and connection, it can also present unique challenges.
With the right tools, support, and strategies in place, students with ADHD can and are successful in the classroom, building confidence and developing lifelong learning skills.
Understanding ADHD in the Classroom
Children with ADHD often experience difficulties with paying attention, staying organized, following directions, and managing impulses. Their ADHD symptoms may include:
- Inattention: being easily distracted, forgetting assignments, losing materials
- Hyperactivity: constant movement, fidgeting, trouble staying seated
- Impulsivity: blurting out answers, interrupting, acting before thinking
These symptoms can interfere with academic performance, peer relationships, and self-esteem—but they don’t mean a child isn’t capable of thriving at school.
We can help students with ADHD stay engaged, follow classroom rules, and grow their social skills by helping them find and access the right support.
Strategies for Managing ADHD at School
- Collaborate Early and Often
Parents and teachers working as a team is one of the most effective ways to support a child with ADHD. Share information about what works at home and what has worked in previous years. Ask educators to provide regular updates on behavior and progress.
Together, you can create a personalized plan that outlines classroom strategies, accommodations, and behavioral supports that align with your child’s needs.
- Use Visual Schedules and Checklists
Many students with ADHD benefit from clear, visual prompts and structure that help guide them through the day. Teachers can display a class schedule using pictures and written words. At home, parents can post a schedule for routines along with morning and afternoon checklists for backpacks, supplies, and assignments.
These tools promote independence and help children stay focused on the task at hand, and decrease uncertainty, which can trigger emotional reactions.
- Teach and Reinforce Classroom Rules
Rather than assuming children understand the rules, take time to review and model them consistently. Break them down into key points using simple language (e.g., “Raise your hand before speaking,” “Keep hands to yourself,” “Use kind words”).
Practicing rules with eye contact, repetition, and examples helps embed them more deeply and reduces misunderstandings.
- Use Positive Feedback Often
Positive reinforcement is essential for children who may struggle with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Catch them doing something right and offer specific praise, such as:
- “I noticed how you stayed in your seat during circle time—great job!”
- “You waited for your turn to talk. That was respectful.”
These moments of positive feedback build self-worth and increase the chances of repeating good behavior. They also direct your child’s internal dialogue in a positive direction: “I did a great job at school today, I am good at school!”
- Provide Movement and Sensory Breaks
Expecting a child with ADHD to sit still for long periods can set them up for frustration. Building in short movement or sensory breaks during the day can reset attention and reduce fidgeting.
At school, this might mean stretching, a quick walk to the water fountain, or sensory tools like fidgets or wiggle seats. At home, try dance breaks or brief outdoor time between homework tasks—partner with your child to find out what feels good for them.
- Break Assignments into Manageable Chunks
Large assignments or multi-step tasks can feel overwhelming. Help your child break down schoolwork into smaller steps with clear goals:
- “First, complete three math problems. Then take a short break.”
- “Write your name, then the date, then read the first paragraph.”
Breaking work into digestible parts supports ADHD focus and builds a sense of accomplishment.
- Practice Social Skills Through Role Modeling and Role Play
Peer relationships can be tricky for children with ADHD. They may interrupt, misread, or just miss cues, or struggle to take turns. Help your child practice these skills with guided role-playing at home.
Be a role model by showing empathy, patience, and active listening in your interactions. Teach them how to greet a friend, ask to join a game, or walk away from conflict.
Remember that they are doing the best they can and want to be happy and successful.
Supporting Your Child’s Success
Your child is capable of learning, growing, being happy, and thriving. With the right strategies and consistent support from both home and school, they can build the confidence and skills needed to succeed in the classroom—not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.
At Sasco River Center, we understand the complexities of managing ADHD in school environments. Our team of psychologists, executive function coaches, and therapists works closely with families and educators to build customized strategies that help students stay engaged, organized, and empowered.
Serving Connecticut Families
Whether your child is newly diagnosed with ADHD or navigating new school-year challenges, you don’t have to do it alone.
We provide individualized ADHD support services in Darien and Wilton, Connecticut, as well as telehealth options for greater flexibility. Call us at (203) 202-7654 or email hello@sascoriver.com to learn how we can help your child thrive—in and out of the classroom.
Let’s work together to support your child’s journey with compassion, consistency, and confidence.