How to Teach the Learning Disabled With ADHD

Reading disabilities may affect up to 8 percent of children in elementary school.

A quarter to one-third of all children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also have a learning disability, according to the U.S. Department of Education. ADHD causes problems in the areas of attention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness and executive functioning. Additionally, learning disabilities may cause difficulties in the areas of reading, writing, math or spelling. Educators who take on the task of teaching children with these multiple challenges may find it both difficult and rewarding. Each child with ADHD and learning disabilities is unique and may require individualized accommodations and adaptations to the learning environment.

Instructions

1. Evaluate your student's needs. Before you can effectively teach a child with ADHD and learning disabilities, it is vital to know his specific strengths and weaknesses. Educational testing done by the school psychologist--along with parent input and direct observation--can give you this information.

2. Set reasonable goals and expectations. Goals that are too difficult will be overwhelming to both you and your student. Small incremental goals that are attainable and move your student toward long-range goals will help her succeed.

3. Adapt the environment. Noisy, bright and cluttered environments will be distracting to students with ADHD and learning disabilities. Minimize these distractions as much as possible.

4. Implement appropriate accommodations. Once accommodations are agreed upon by the support team, implement these consistently. Such accommodations may include frequent but shorter work periods, reduced work, extended time, visual cues, oral tests, untimed tests, transition warnings, pre-teaching activities, calculators, changed seating arrangements, technology, headphones and desk carrels.

5. Engage your student. Teaching methods that engage students include pausing to create suspense, using the student's name in examples, humor and visual aids.

6. Reinforce positive behavior. Frequent sincere praise for appropriate behavior helps build self-esteem and encourages your student to repeat desired behaviors.

7. Ignore minor misbehavior. Impulsive behavior will be difficult for this student to control. Minor infractions are unavoidable. You will need some tolerance and understanding to make it through the instructional day.

8. Review material frequently. Frequent review will reinforce what you have taught and help you gauge the information your student is retaining.

9. Help with organization. Your student with ADHD and learning disabilities will likely need help staying organized. The use of a calendar, log book and color-coded folders and notebooks can be helpful.

10. Ask for assistance. Teaching a student with special challenges can be draining. Include support personnel such as the school counselor and behavioral specialist to assist you in helping this student.

11. Re-evaluate periodically. The needs of your student may change throughout the year. Teaching strategies that worked initially may need to be adjusted or replaced. Goals will need to be re-evaluated and updated.

Tips & Warnings

• Communicate with parents.

• Take care of yourself to avoid burnout.

References

• Ball State University: Suggested Classroom Interventions For Children With ADHD & Learning Disabilities
• Vicenza High School: ADHD Classroom Interventions
• U.S. Department of Education: Teaching Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices
• LD OnLine: Other Disorders That Sometimes Accompany ADHD
• Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology: ADHD and Working Memory: The Impact of Central Executive Deficits and Exceeding Storage/Rehearsal Capacity on Observed Inattentive Behavior

Resources

• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Learning Disabilities