ADD/ADHD Resources for Teachers
In almost every classroom, a teacher can expect to have at least one student with ADHD. Even though the impulsive and hyperactive behavior of ADHD students can be distracting, there are strategies that can help all students direct their energy to obtain full potential. In this Web guide, find the best resources for teaching students in a classroom setting, small group or one-on-one, so you and all of your students can share a productive learning environment.
Inattention, hyperactivity, fidgeting and impulsivity are all symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). For a comprehensive introduction to ADD/ADHD, including information on ADHD treatment and support, consult findingDulcinea’s ADHD Web Guide.
Click here to visit our new tool for educators, findingEducation.
Inattention, hyperactivity, fidgeting and impulsivity are all symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). For a comprehensive introduction to ADD/ADHD, including information on ADHD treatment and support, consult findingDulcinea’s ADHD Web Guide.
Click here to visit our new tool for educators, findingEducation.
Expand All Guide SectionsADHD Students in the Classroom
When dealing with children with who have ADD/ADHD, it’s a matter of finding a way to keep them engaged and challenged while in the classroom. Use the resources below to find ways to create an environment that promotes learning while keeping your ADHD students from getting distracted—and from distracting others.
Insights for ADHD Students in the Classroom
- Creating a positive learning environment starts with setting up a welcoming classroom that promotes interaction and learning. Try Scholastic’s “Classroom Set-Up Tool” to design and rearrange a virtual classroom before you start moving desks and chairs around.
- Help inspire the ADHD/ADD students in your classroom with the encouraging essays on Lesson Tutor. You’ll find titles such as “26 Positive Things about ADD and 46 Famous People With ADD” and “Confessions of a High School Student with ADHD” that can help empower students.
Top Sites for ADHD Students in the Classroom
For classroom management …
ADDinSchool.com
has lots of advice you can use in your classroom to help students with ADD/ADHD overcome barriers and fully engage in the learning experience. Find methods of dealing with impulse behaviors, ways to improve social skills and how to foster consistency in their performance.
ADHDinfo.com
has specific tips on how to adapt the classroom for children with ADHD. Learn how setting clear rules and schedules can help the ADHD student succeed.
ADDitude
’s “For Teachers” section has tips for teachers to manage ADHD students in a classroom setting through structure, interaction and fun.
Teaching & Curriculum for ADHD Students
No two students in the classroom learn the same way; this is certainly true when working with ADD/ADHD students. Use the sites in this section to find lesson plans, activities and interactive games that are tailored to the special needs of ADHD/ADD students.
Insights for Teaching & Curriculum for ADHD Students
- The first step in teaching to different learning styles is determining what those styles are. Learn more about learning styles and use the “Learning Style Inventory” to find out how your students learn best.
- Using multimedia to engage students can be very beneficial. Fortunately, the Web is overflowing with a variety of multimedia activities. Many of the sites below offer multimedia resources that can be useful in the classroom.
Top Sites for Teaching & Curriculum for ADHD Students
For math and reading…
LD OnLine
, a Web site devoted to learning disabilities and ADHD, has a section full of resources on math, reading, writing and more. Look for articles to help you craft a curriculum catered to ADHD students.
ADDitude
has an archive of articles from ADHD experts on how to tackle reading and math with ADHD kids. Find ways to get kids interested, and keep them engaged.
Bookshare.org
offers a library of free books to students with print disabilities. Students can download more than 41,000 books in large print, Braille or audio formats.
For multimedia…
SparkTop.org
, originally created by the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, is a free multimedia site specifically for kids with learning disabilities. The site offers kids a safe place to create music, art or stories, play games, and connect with other kids.
KidRocket KidSafe Web Browser for Kids
is a free Web browser with interactive links and games that are curriculum-related. Kids can set up their own e-mail accounts and communicate with parents, teachers and friends.
For parent-school collaboration…
The American Academy of Family Physicians
gives advice on what parents should know about ADHD, and offers suggestions on what parents can do at home to help their child learn. Teachers can give tips to parents based on the advice in this article.
LD OnLine
’s article has a detailed outline of how parents of ADHD children can actively collaborate with their child’s teachers to create structure and ensure consistency.
ADHD/ADD Support Resources
Sometimes the child with ADHD/ADD isn’t the only one who needs support and encouragement. Teachers and parents can often benefit from sharing insight and asking questions within the ADHD community. Use the Web resources below to find out how you can get involved.
Insights for ADHD/ADD Support Resources
- Online support groups and forums for students with ADD/ADHD, and their parents and teachers, abound on the Web. These can be a great place for advice and support, though always use caution when sharing personal information online.
- Many local community centers, schools and universities also offer workshops and support groups for students with ADHD.
Top Sites for ADHD/ADD Support Resources
For ADD/ADHD forums…
ADD Forums
is an extensive online community for teachers, parents, adults and teens to connect with other people who are experiencing the triumphs and roadblocks related to ADHD. Register, log on and access chat rooms, specific groups and resources.
For ADD/ADHD support groups…
CHADD
(Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is dedicated to supporting children and young adults who have ADD/ADHD. Find local CHADD chapters near you with the clickable map search tool.
Facebook
is another option for teachers, parents and children to get involved with the larger ADHD community. Sign up for Facebook and become a member of groups like “ADHD is not a disability, it’s a gift!” or “Parents Of Children With ADHD.” Search “ADHD” in the search box on the upper right to find other related groups.
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