 Children with ADHD have a variety of needs. Some children are too inattentive or hyperactive to function in a regular classroom, even with medication and a behavior management plan. There is special education class for such children; they may be placed there for all or part of the day. There are schools, where the special education teacher teams with the classroom teacher to meet each child's unique needs. Nevertheless, most children are able to stay in the regular classroom. Educators prefer to not to segregate children, whenever possible, but to let them learn along with their peers.
Some special accommodations are required by children with ADHD to learn. For instance, the teacher may seat the child in an area with few distractions, provide an area where the child can move around and release excess energy, or establish a clearly posted system of rules and reward appropriate behavior. Sometimes a card or a picture on the desk can serve as a visual reminder to use the right school behavior, like raising a hand instead of shouting out or staying in a seat instead of wandering around the room. Giving a child with ADHD an extra time on tests can make the difference between passing and failing, and gives her a fairer chance to show what she's learned. Writing assignments on the board or reviewing instructions, and even listing the books and materials they will need for the task, may make it possible for disorganized, inattentive children to complete the work.
A lot of the strategies of special education are simply good teaching methods. Providing visual aids, telling students in advance what they will learn and giving written as well as oral instructions are all ways to help students focus and remember the key parts of the lesson.
It's no surprise that many children with ADHD have problems in class, because schools demand that children sit still, wait for a turn, pay attention, and stick with a task. They can learn, but their hyperactivity and inattention make learning difficult. That is why, many students with ADHD repeat a grade or drop out of school early. But these outcomes can be avoided, with the right combination of appropriate educational practices, medication, and counseling.
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