Below are a few of the different classroom interventions that can help with dealing with hyperactivity and the inability to focus:

Seating: Where the child sits can make a significant difference. Ideally they should be seated away from windows and doors, which can be very distracting, and as close as possible to the teacher during lessons and assignments. If the students are seated at tables or in groups, careful attention should be made as to which students the child is sitting with, since he or she may not only be distracted by them, but also distract them as well. Some children may also benefit from special seats that help them stay seated, such as a learning support cushion or t-stool.

Less Homework: An ADHD child may have no problems answering 10 math questions, but could greatly struggle with 40, since the longer the assignment, the more likely they will be to lose focus or interest. In most cases, the actual work is not different, but there may be limits on how much time an assignment is expected to take.

Set Time Limits: If too much time is allotted for a project, it is likely the child may not be any more productive. Often times doing projects in pieces and using a timer to complete the different sections can be of assistance in helping them to complete tasks more efficiently. Setting time limits and using a timer can also be helpful with things such as restroom breaks, errands, and other activities.

Repeat Instructions: Whether it is by having a video, recording directions, or having a list of instructions for the student to read while working on a project, the repetition is important in helping him or her follow directions and get work completed. Longer tasks should be broken down into smaller parts so he or she does not lose focus or interest.

Giving the Student Special Jobs: If the student needs to burn off extra energy, giving the student jobs such as erasing and washing the blackboard or other type of responsibilities may help them as well as make them feel important and special.

Address Organization Skills: Most children with attention deficit disorder have a hard time staying organized. Having a set schedule and routine, making checklists, and a system to remember homework can all be beneficial.

Social Skills Activities: Many children may do acceptably academically, but constantly have problems getting along with other children, causing disruptions, or other behavioral conflicts. If recess, assemblies, lunch field trips, or other things are a problem, you can also request special accommodations be made in these areas also.

These are just a few examples of the many classroom accomodations for the ADHD student. These ideas can be incorporated into your child’s IEP plan or discussed with the child’s teacher and principal.

The first thing all concerned parents should do if they haven’t done so already is speak to the child’s doctor, who can be a tremendous resource in providing information for the resources and support parents and kids need concerning health and behavioral issues. An evaluation by a qualified professional will likely be done to assess the child’s level of hyperactivity and inattentiveness, the length of the behavior, as well as what impact it has on school, family, and social life. After an evaluation has diagnosed the child with ADHD, different treatment plans will be discussed.

Below is a list of some of the different interventions commonly associated with treating ADHD:

School Interventions
Not all ADHD children have problems with school, though many often do because it requires a lot of sitting still and paying attention. Schools will vary from district to district on what programs and support training they have available. Some schools have excellent learning support and special needs programs, while others do not, depending on the needs of the district and what funding has been made available to them. While more and more teachers are being taught the necessary classroom skills to help students with ADHD, there unfortunately are just as many who do not understand the condition or what they can do to help.

An IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is a plan written after teachers, parents, and others meet to discuss the child’s needs and goals for succeeding in the school year. Any child who receives special education classes or adaptations generally should have one. Understanding an IEP can be confusing at first, but the US Department of Education breaks it down well here as well as explains your rights as a parent or your child’s rights as a student. If your school refuses to give you an evaluation or provide services, you may be able to find assistance through county or state programs or caseworkers in your area. If your child is not eligible for an IEP, you can still possibly qualify for adaptations to be made at school through a Section 504 plan.

Our list of school accommodations for ADHD students has many examples of things that can be done by schools to help provide the best learning environment as possible.

ADHD Interventions at Home
Many parents, even if the child is doing well at school with or without support or additional services, often still struggle at home. At home the key is to work on behavioral activities. Even children who are taking medications still need work on behavioral aspects at home, especially if medication is only being administered during school hours. A therapist can give suggestions for activities to be done at home that can help improve the quality of family time and home life. Many techniques will involve relaxing activities, making the environment as calming as possible, setting up ways to be more organized, learning how to deal with problems, coping with emotions, and discipline issues. Our list of 25 Activities for Children will help give you some ideas of the different therapeutic things you can do at home.

It is important to remember that all children are different and that some treatments or activities may work well for some children but not others. In general though, when parents, teachers, doctors, and therapists come together it is the most likely that the child will find the support and resources you need. When everyone comes together and discusses what works and what doesn’t work, you’ll all be able to come up with solutions that make dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder much less stressful on both the child and family relationships.