Accommodations list for parents and teachers with kids with ADD/HD

If your child is struggling with ADD/HD, you understand that what goes on at home also translates to classroom behaviors. If you feel frustrated with your child's lack of organization, inability to focus on a task to it's completion, etc. imagine what the child's teacher is feeling with a class of 30 to deal with. Sometimes you, as the parent, are the only advocate for your child's academic success simply because teachers are very busy and there is less and less help in the classroom for students with learning issues. This post is for parents out there who want to help their child's teacher to address their child's ADHD needs. This list can be copied and given to the teacher to help him/her to make some accommodations  in the classroom that will really make a difference. All of these ideas are based on educational research and they work, when done with care and consistency. You can try them at home too.

Remember, when giving directions to your kids, always check for understanding before disciplining them for non-compliance. Kids with ADD/HD may need to hear/see the directions several times before they can repeat them back to you and/or follow through with them. They may need to do tasks in chunks with short deadlines, not more then 2 days for younger and not more than 4 days for older kids like middle school and above. You may need to repeat the original directions again before each chunk of task given and always check to see if they have completed it before moving on to the next set of tasks. Remember to give lots of positive reinforcement immediately, don't make one long term reinforcement that is too far away to matter-for instance "if you get A's at the end of the quarter, you will get an Xbox". Better, would be-for each 5 daily assignments that are turned in on time and that earn an _____(fill in the blank), you can pick the restaurant and we will take you out to dinner with a friend. The last one is more immediate, involves relationship building with family and a friend, and is not a "thing".

Accommodation Suggestions for Students with ADHD (2007 Merrill Education/Pearson)

For Beginning Activities

Give small amounts of work

Provide signals to begin

User timers and encourage self-monitoring

Use verbal and written directions

Provide additional structure (e.g., large-lined
  paper)

Highlight directions using larger fonts or colors

For Keeping on Task

Increase frequency of positive reinforcement

Use peer assistants

Make tasks interesting

Break tasks into smaller “manageable” units

Allow breaks

Use hands-on activities

For Listening

Teach note taking and encourage use
    of notebook organizers

Use positive reinforcement

Allow doodling

Allow standing

For Excessive Activity

Use activity as rewards (errands, wash
  boards, move desks)

Allow standing during class

Encourage active participation

Reward sitting

For Impulsive Behavior

Provide acceptable alternatives

Encourage trying to continue with another
  part of the assignment before interrupting
  the teacher

Recommend note taking during lectures

Recommend writing down questions and
  answers before blurting out

Teach acceptable social behavior for
  conversations, for class behavior, and for
  interacting with peers.
Reward listening and appropriate behaviors

For Working Independently

Ensure tasks match ability levels

Provide brief directions

Use brief tasks

Use checklists for self-monitoring

Use positive reinforcement

For Following Class Rules

Keep rules simple

Post and review class rules

Model and role-play following rules

Be consistent and enforcement of rules

Provide students with copies of rules