Understanding & Supporting Learning in Children with ADHD

Learning can be a challenge for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. While children with ADHD are generally bright, and sometimes even gifted, they can have difficulty learning in a traditional school environment due to their lack of focus and difficulty controlling their impulses. Children with ADHD need modifications to be able to succeed in learning.

Freedom of Movement

• Children with ADHD need to be able to move around. Learning with ADHD is much easier when movement is incorporated into the learning process.

Kinesthetic Lessons

• Kinesthetic lessons involve learning with the body rather than just through seeing or hearing the lessons. By moving the body during class, children with ADHD have an easier time learning a new lesson.

Shorter Lessons

• Children with ADHD have very short attention spans, so they cannot focus on a lesson for very long. Learning is easier when lessons are presented in multiple short sessions rather than one long session.

Smaller Classes

• Smaller classes are helpful for learning with ADHD. In a smaller classroom, the teacher has more time to focus upon the child and tailor lessons in a way so that he can process them.

Montessori Classrooms

• Many children with ADHD thrive in a Montessori classroom because they have freedom of movement and flexibility in how they learn their lessons.