The One with Jerome Schultz & Supporting Our Students with ADHD

So many recent conversations have centered around not only how to motivate students, but how to meet the needs of our neurodivergent learners. The tricky part is that once you think you have the situation solved, the strategy stops working or systems change, and everyone is back at square one. How fortunate to find this awesome resource Nowhere to Hide: Why Kids with ADHD and LD Hate School and What We Can Do About It!  Schultz provides in-depth definitions, understandings, and applications for knowing our students while also reminding us of key strategies to help ensure success. There are so many hidden struggles that most of us take for granted! More amazing ideas can be found on the ADDitude Website (as a parent, I've also found so many helpful tips)!  You can also join this live session on Thursday during WVEC's Virtual Behavior Conference!  The live session with Jerome Schultz will be from 4:00-5:00 EST.  

As you read Nowhere to Hide (I know, it sounds like a Netflix series -- good stuff), you will find some of the ideas are validations of the environments we try to provide:

Structure and Clear Expectations

• Why It Matters: Children with ADHD and LD struggle with organization, time management, and focus. Without clear guidance, they may feel lost or overwhelmed, which can lead to frustration and disengagement.
• Strategy: Establish clear routines, expectations, and a predictable classroom structure. This includes providing visual schedules, breaking down assignments into smaller tasks, and offering reminders for deadlines. Structuring the environment in a way that minimizes distractions and provides consistent cues can help these students stay on track and succeed academically.

However, his resource also pushes us into thinking about the emotional safety of our classrooms:

Build Emotional Safety

• Why It Matters: Children with ADHD and LD often feel misunderstood, rejected, or incompetent, leading to anxiety and emotional distress. Emotional safety is essential for creating an environment where these children can thrive.
• Strategy: Teachers and caregivers should foster an environment where the child feels safe to make mistakes and take risks without fear of ridicule or punishment. This includes offering consistent emotional support, showing empathy, and building positive relationships that help the child feel valued and respected. It's about creating a classroom culture where students are not afraid to show their challenges or ask for help.

Of course, my favorite part was relating this information to the Science of Learning and all of the applications for our students with executive functioning needs:

Strategy for Improvement:

• Use memory aids (visual organizers, reminders, checklists) to help students with ADHD manage information.
• Break down tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to reduce cognitive overload.
• Provide frequent attention breaks or opportunities for movement to improve focus. One of my key strategies: if it's important for them to remember, add some movement to hear it, see it, say it and write it!