Teachers: Try using these ADHD strategies and supports to help students who struggle with maintaining focus and attention.

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  <div>
    It&rsquo;s ADHD Awareness Month: the perfect time to share tips on how to
    best support students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the
    classroom and beyond. Our team of educators at Cross Country Education has
    compiled some practical ways teachers can support kids who struggle to focus
    and pay attention during school.&nbsp;
  </div>

  <h2>ADHD Supports</h2>

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    One of the most important skills for helping students with ADHD is being
    able to recognize when they are in need of support. Here are some ways to
    identify this need (even if the student has not been diagnosed with ADHD or
    does not have an IEP/504 plan), followed by supports to help students
    thrive.
  </div>

  <div>
    <table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:500px">
      <tbody>
        <tr>
          <td>Indicators</td>
          <td>Supports</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>Restlessness</li>
              <li>Inability to stay in seat</li>
              <li>Fidgety</li>
            </ul>
          </td>
          <td>
            <table
              border="1"
              cellpadding="0"
              cellspacing="0"
              style="width:616px"
            >
              <tbody>
                <tr>
                  <td style="width:407px;height:152px;">
                    <ul>
                      <li>
                        Move student closer to a teacher or a responsible
                        student since seeing someone else on task may serve as a
                        helpful reminder to focus.
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        Offer a fidget object and frequent breaks as a way to
                        expend energy.
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        Create assignments that are hands-on or tactile in
                        nature.
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        Keep clipboards available in case a student would like
                        to stand or walk while reading or writing.
                      </li>
                    </ul>
                  </td>
                </tr>
              </tbody>
            </table>
          </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>Easily distracted</li>
              <li>Lack of focus</li>
              <li>Makes needless errors</li>
            </ul>
          </td>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>
                Provide clear, step-by-step instructions and repeat them as
                needed.
              </li>
              <li>Use a pre-arranged signal to remind the student to focus.</li>
              <li>Model ways for students to self-check their work.</li>
            </ul>
          </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>Disruptive</li>
              <li>Inability to follow rules or directions</li>
              <li>Excessive talking</li>
            </ul>
          </td>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>
                Reward good behavior and use positive reinforcement often. Refer
                back to your classroom expectations and any applicable
                incentives.
              </li>
              <li>
                Provide opportunities for group work so that students can
                collaborate and engage in conversation.
              </li>
              <li>
                Allow the student to take leadership roles within the classroom.
              </li>
            </ul>
          </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>Forgets to complete/turn in work</li>
              <li>Disorganized workspace</li>
            </ul>
          </td>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>
                Communicate with the student and their family often about
                upcoming deadlines.
              </li>
              <li>
                Teach the skill of adding due dates in an assignment notebook.
              </li>
              <li>Model and teach organization.</li>
              <li>
                Implement an accountability routine (such as folder checks) and
                practice procedures until they become a habit.
              </li>
            </ul>
          </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>
            <ul>
              <li>Easily becomes frustrated</li>
              <li>Hesitates to start work</li>
              <li>Turns in late or incomplete work</li>
            </ul>
          </td>
          <td>
            <table
              border="1"
              cellpadding="0"
              cellspacing="0"
              style="width:616px"
            >
              <tbody>
                <tr>
                  <td style="width:407px;height:138px;">
                    <ul>
                      <li>
                        Provide content delivery through multiple modalities.
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        Include graphic organizers, pictures, diagrams, etc. as
                        much as possible.
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        Break large tasks into smaller ones, and acknowledge
                        each step (with praise, small break, sticker, etc.)
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        Offer alternative assignment(s) to meet their needs.
                      </li>
                    </ul>
                  </td>
                </tr>
              </tbody>
            </table>
          </td>
        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table>

    <h2>ADHD Resources</h2>

    <div>
      For additional insight into increased distraction during the COVID-19
      pandemic, read about student behavior amid COVID. For help recognizing
      other issues which may mimic ADHD in the classroom, along with resources
      and strategies for effective teaching, visit ADHD Awareness.<br />
    </div>
  </div>
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ADHD Awareness: Tips for Supporting Students