ADHD in Class: Using Worksheets in Elementary School

Worksheets and Other Tips for ADHD Students in Elementary School

Stress accuracy instead of quantity of work. This is really what you want as a teacher anyway.

The ADHD child may be easily overwhelmed and discouraged. Reduce the quantity of work on a page. Instead of giving 30 problems on a page, give only 10 or 15. Then the ADHD child won't be overwhelmed, and successes will build up his self-esteem.

Your ADHD student in elementary school may tend to want to be "the first one done" on assignments. Set reasonable accuracy goals with him and collect the entire group's work at once to reduce time pressures.

Use large type.

Keep page format simple. Include no extraneous pictures or visual destructors that are unrelated to the problems to be solved.

Provide only one or two activities per page.

Have white space on each page.

ADHD: More Ideas for ADHD Students in Elementary School

Use dark black print. (Avoid handwritten worksheets or tests.)

Use off-white or buff-colored paper rather than white if the room's lighting creates a glare on white paper.

Write clear, simple directions.

Underline key direction words or vocabulary or have the students underline these words as you read directions with them.

Divide the page into sections and use a system to cover sections not currently being used.

If possible, use different colors on worksheets or tests for emphasis , particularly on those involving rote, potentially boring work.

Have the students use colored pens or pencils.

Give frequent short quizzes and avoid long tests.

Provide practice tests.

Provide alternative environments with fewer distractions for test taking.

Using a tape recorder, have the ADD ADHD student record test answers and assignments or give the student oral examinations.

Shorten assignments. If the attention deficit student can demonstrate adequate concept mastery in 10 or 20 questions, don't require 30-40 problems.

ADD in School .com

Elementary School Intervention Pages:

• Your Room Set-Up and ADHD Students
• Presenting Your Lesson to ADHD Students
• Using Worksheets Giving Tests to ADHD Students
• Organizing Your ADHD Students
• Increasing Your ADHD Students' Time-On-Task
• Dealing with Impulsive Behaviors
• Improving Social Skills
• Increasing Compliance in the Classroom
• Improving Consistency of Performance
• ADD in School Home Page