What is an important consideration when planning lessons for students with ADHD?

When planning lessons for students with ADHD, providing structured routines and clear expectations is crucial. Students with ADHD often benefit from consistency and predictability in their learning environment. Structured routines help these students understand what to expect throughout the day, which can reduce anxiety and improve focus.

Clear expectations, communicated both verbally and visually, help students know what is required of them at all times, aiding in self-regulation and task completion. This approach allows students to navigate their learning activities more effectively and fosters a supportive atmosphere that can help them thrive academically.

While minimizing distractions can be helpful, completely avoiding distractions is neither practical nor feasible, as some level of distraction is inherent in most learning environments. Furthermore, competition may not always be beneficial, as it can increase stress and anxiety for some students, particularly those with ADHD. Providing more homework assignments might overwhelm students with ADHD, making it harder for them to succeed. Therefore, structured routines and clear expectations are foundational components for teaching students with ADHD effectively.