Having ADHD has many benefits, however, not knowing how to manage certain behaviours exhibited by children can be frustrating - especially when you're managing 30 other children as well. 

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Behavioural techniques and classroom management strategies for managing children with ADHD

a) Consistency is the key
Children with ADHD need to have a sense of external structure, as they tend to lack a sense of internal structure, so do not deal with change very well. Even if it's a positive change. 

b) Help them focus by:

• seating them nearest the blackboard or close to the teacher, and
• minimise their distractions by seating them in a quiet study area or minimising the number of other children sitting at the same table. 

c) With ADHD there are two kinds of time… lots and none. 
Help them manage their time optimally and meet your expectations for task completion by:

• helping them to break tasks down into small components, and/or
• using colours or shapes to help them organise.

d) Many are VISUAL learners
Try making things more visual or tactile and they may grasp them better. Instead of memorizing words, ask them to “make a movie in their head and play it back”.

e) Encourage creativity
These children are often extremely creative. Try to encourage  artistic (or musical) abilities. But to avoid chaos, keep any creative sessions structured.

f) Try to work within their attention span
Frequently changing the type of work enables them to continue to work productively.

g) It's not a reflection on you…
Don’t take their behaviour personally and do not vent your frustration on them.

​Maintain a close relationship with the parents/guardian

Successful management of ADHD is a team effort.

If you have any ADHD children in your classroom, you're automatically part of the treatment process. Therefore you have to maintain a close “working” relationship with the other members of the team (namely the parents).
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This can be achieved simply by:

• weekly updates on behaviour/work in class (either written or phone)
• keeping an eye out in the playground to see if they're they making and maintaining friendships, and
• alerting the parents immediately if you notice any changes in behaviour.

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 Educate yourself

The more informed you are, the more manageable things will be. Find out:

1. What is ADHD?
2. Whether you have a role in the ADHD diagnostic process
3. How to manage ADHD 
4. What organisational support and healthcare services are available in NZ, and
5. What your legal responsibilities are.

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How to manage your child's meltdowns

Tips for teaching children with ADHD

ADHD support organisations