CHILDHOOD ADHD SCHOOL TIPS

What are accommodations and modifications?

Changes to the learning environment, teaching methods and testing procedures are known as accommodations and modifications. Changes are accommodated to students with ADHD to suit their individual learning differences within a classroom or school.

What is the difference between accommodations and modifications?

Accommodations do not change the course content or standards, while modifications do. Accommodations are things like extended time for testing or sitting in the front of the class. Modifications change what a student is supposed to learn. Modifications are things like using an alternative book, giving a calculator on math test or rewording a test with simpler language.

What kind of school accommodations are there for Inattention in ADHD?

• Seating in quiet area
• Seating near role model student
• Sit student near “study buddy”
• Increase distance between desks
• Allow extra time to complete work
• Shorten assignments or work periods to coincide with span of attention: use timer
• Break long assignments into smaller parts
• Set short term goals with student
• Give one assignment at a time to avoid overload
• Reduce amount of homework
• Give both oral and written instructions
• Provide peer assistance in note taking
• Involve student in lesson presentation
• Cue student to stay on task, i.e. private signal

What kind of school accommodations are helpful for impulsive behavior in ADHD?

If minorly inappropriate behavior, ignore

• Use immediacy in rewards and consequences
• Apply time-out misbehavior
• Supervise closely during transition times
• avoid reprimand using lecturing or criticism U
• For positive behavior give compliments
• Acknowledge positive behavior of nearby student
• Sit student near good role model or near teacher
• Make a behavior contract
• Call on only when hand is raised in appropriate manner
• Praise student when hand is raised to answer question

What kind of accommodations are there for hyperactivity in ADHD?  

• Allow studen to work while standing at times
• Give opportunity for “seat breaks” i.e., run errands, etc.
• Give short break sandwiched between assignments
• Supervise closely during transition times
• Remind student to check work
• Give extra time to complete work

What kind of school accommodations can help with turning in homework assignments?

• Ask parents for help child to organize
• Encourage student to use notebook dividers and folders
• Give student homework planner
• Supervise student writing down of homework assignment
• Send daily/weekly progress reports home
• Do routine check of desk, notebook and backpack for neatness
• Allow extra set of books at home
• Give one assignments at a time
• Help student set short term goals
• Don’t penalize for poor handwriting if visual-motor deficits are present
• Encourage use of keyboarding skills

What kind of technology accommodations can be helpful for students with ADHD?

• Livescribe Pen
• Google read and write
• @Voice or other text to speech software

What are the other resources I can use to advocate for my child with ADHD?

• Family Resource Network A comprehensive family-focused umbrella organization designed to meet the growing need for community-based programs and services to individuals and families with a variety of disabilities through its affiliate organizations: Autism Family Services of New Jersey, Caregivers of New Jersey, Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey and the Family Support Center of New Jersey. www.familyresourcenetwork.org 800-376-2345
• New Jersey Department of Education Provides information regarding general and special education including forms and contact information. www.state.nj.us/education 877-900-6960
  
• New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Children’s System of Care (CSOC) Case managers work with the child’s parents, physician, and/or specialists to evaluate the child’s strengths and needs. They collaborate with the family and community-based partners to develop an individual service plan (ISP) for the child and family. Case managers are provided through county offices. New Jersey Special Child Health Services is operated through the NJ Department of Health. www.nj.gov/health/fhs/specialneeds/contacts.shtml
  
• New Jersey Department of Health, Family Health Services (Early Intervention) Evaluations and services are available when there are concerns about a child’s early development. Through the Early Intervention Program, parents can request assessments and services for their child between the ages of birth and thirty-six months. www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis 888-653-4463
  
• Statewide Parent Advocacy Network – NJ (SPAN) Offers information, resources, support and advocacy assistance addressing child care, general and special education, dropout and bullying prevention, and more. http://www.spanadvocacy.org/
  
• The Arc of New Jersey Focused on helping families receive supports and services. The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute is dedicated to providing timely information, advocacy, support and training to family members of an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities. https://www.arcnj.org/programs/the-arc-of-nj-family-institute/the-family-institute.html
  
• New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disability Services (DDS) Information and services for individuals with developmental disabilities age 21 and older. https://nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/home/
  
• Mom 2 Mom Provides parents of children with special needs peer support, clinical professionals, a network of local service providers, and access to community support groups. www.mom2mom.us.com 1-877-914-6662
  
• All About the IEP from the Center for Parent Information & Resources www.parentcenterhub.org/iep/
  
• Frequently Asked Questions about Individualized Education Programs from Wrightslaw http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.index.htm
  
• IEP Go Bag from The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute www.thearcfamilyinstitute.org/resources/iepgobag.html
  
• Individualized Education Program Guide from Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/iep-guide
  
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from the U.S. Department of Education https://sites.ed.gov/idea/?src=policy-page
  
• New Jersey Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE) from the New Jersey Department of Education www.nj.gov/education/specialed/form/prise/prise.pdf (English version)
  
• NJ Special Education Advocacy Guide from Disability Rights NJ www.spanadvocacy.org/sites/default/files/files/SPED%20Guide%20for%20web.pdf
  
• Parent Guide to Services for Students with Disabilities under IDEA, ADA, & 504 from the Special Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) www.spanadvocacy.org/content/span-guide-services-students-disabilities-idea-section-504-nj-state-code
  
• The Right to Special Education in NJ from the Education Law Center www.edlawcenter.org/assets/files/pdfs/publications/Rights_SpecialEducation_Guide%20TL.pdf
  
• Understanding IEPs from Understood.org www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/ieps/understanding-individualized-education-programs