Teacher Tips: Improving Compliance in the Classroom with ADHD Students

Thank you to all of our professional educatorsalternative choices that are available. This will
who dedicate themselves to our children! Wemake the expectations clearer to him and avoid
know how difficult it can be working with ADHDthe negativity inherent in what he would perceive
children, so here are your teacher tips for theas criticism. Some students respond to a
week, brought to you by the ADHD Informationprearranged cuing system with the teacher. In this
Library and This is a sampling of over 500system, the teacher gives a visual signal (touching
classroom interventions for your use at Here arethe ear) or verbal phrase ("Remember, I'm looking
some tips on Increasing Compliance in thefor good listeners") when a targeted inappropriate
Classroom: Listen to the child. They want to bebehavior occurs. The cue can remind your student
heard too. Provide a safe environment for theto correct behavior without direct confrontation
child. Make sure the child knows you are his friendor loss of self-esteem. It can involve the
and you are there to help him. Treat him withclassroom teacher or any support personnel
respect. Never belittle him in front of his peers.available to the student. Encouraging your student
Both he and the other children know that heto monitor his own behavior has many benefits. It
stands out, and if the teacher belittles the child,can provide an opportunity for discussion when
then the rest of the children will see that asyour student and the teacher agree/disagree on
permission from the teacher to belittle the child asthe ratings. It also prompts movement toward
well. Give him a break once in a while. Know theyour student's internal frame of reference in
difference between big things and little things, andevaluating his behavior. It is important to pair
don't confront him on each little thing. It is hardverbal praise with a reward. This will facilitate
for these children to control themselves all of the"weaning" from a concrete reward structure to
time. Be alert to how much movement they mayan internalized system. Encourage your student to
need. Allow for some extra trips to the restroom,also write or say self-affirmations. A simple nod,
or to run some errands. You may want to allowwink, smile, or touch on the shoulder can carry
him to run around in a designated spot in the playtremendous recognition power. Instead of
yard.confronting your student continually on activities
Help the child find his areas of strength so that hebehaviors that are inappropriate, point out the
can build his self-esteem. It is important to pairalternative choices that are available. This will
verbal praise with a reward. This will facilitatemake the expectations clearer to him and avoid
"weaning" from a concrete reward structure tothe negativity inherent in what he would perceive
an internalized system. Encourage your student toas criticism. Hopefully these will help the ADHD
also write or say self-affirmations. A simple nod,students in your classroom to be more successful.
wink, smile, or touch on the shoulder can carryYou can learn more about Attention Deficit
tremendous recognition power. Instead ofHyperactivity disorder at the ADHD Information
confronting your student continually on activitiesLibrary.
behaviors that are inappropriate, point out the