Author: Alexis Anderson
Students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face unique challenges in the classroom. As the name implies, symptoms cover a range of behaviors related to a child’s inability to engage effectively. This can result in academic and social difficulties for the child, create disruption in the classroom and become a source of frustration for educators trying to meet the needs of all students in the class.
The good news is that various types of technology are proving effective as educational tools to meet the unique needs of students with ADHD. Here, we’ll examine the advantages of doing so.
The good news is that various types of technology are proving effective as educational tools to meet the unique needs of students with ADHD. Here, we’ll examine the advantages of doing so.
About ADHD
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 6 million children between the ages of 4 and 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD by 2011. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM 5) contains the most up-to-date classifications of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive Presentation, Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Presentation and Combined Presentation.
The symptoms of ADHD often appear in early childhood and include things like being fidgety, daydreaming, forgetfulness, taking needless risks, talking excessively, showing lack of self-control and struggling to get along with others. While some of that may sound like “normal” childhood behavior, the difference for children with ADHD is that symptoms don’t subside, they often get worse over time, they result in impairment in key domains of functioning, and they often co-occur in two or more settings.
In the classroom, behaviors such as these can pose a significant challenge to learning and success — which is why it’s important for teachers and school counselors to make the most of available resources to help. As Anil Chacko, a professor for Counseling@NYU, which offers an online master’s in school counseling program, notes, it’s important to “… utilize methods that support students’ time management, planning, and organization.” Technology can be a helpful tool for doing just that.
The symptoms of ADHD often appear in early childhood and include things like being fidgety, daydreaming, forgetfulness, taking needless risks, talking excessively, showing lack of self-control and struggling to get along with others. While some of that may sound like “normal” childhood behavior, the difference for children with ADHD is that symptoms don’t subside, they often get worse over time, they result in impairment in key domains of functioning, and they often co-occur in two or more settings.
In the classroom, behaviors such as these can pose a significant challenge to learning and success — which is why it’s important for teachers and school counselors to make the most of available resources to help. As Anil Chacko, a professor for Counseling@NYU, which offers an online master’s in school counseling program, notes, it’s important to “… utilize methods that support students’ time management, planning, and organization.” Technology can be a helpful tool for doing just that.
Bridging the Gap
In its “Three Components of Successful Programs for Children with ADHD,” the U.S. Department of Education (DE) emphasizes academic instruction, behavioral interventions and classroom accommodations as essential to meeting the unique needs of these students. Using technologies that are geared toward individualized and adaptive learning helps to support all three components — both for children with and without ADHD.
Additionally, while devices such as tablets and smartboards are quite common in today’s classrooms, advances in technology that integrate various aspects of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into learning applications have many educators excited about what’s ahead. By helping to bridge the gap between regular and special education students, technology can make classrooms more inclusive with teaching that caters to all learners.
Additionally, while devices such as tablets and smartboards are quite common in today’s classrooms, advances in technology that integrate various aspects of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into learning applications have many educators excited about what’s ahead. By helping to bridge the gap between regular and special education students, technology can make classrooms more inclusive with teaching that caters to all learners.
Advantages of Using Technology
There are many advantages to using technology to teach students with ADHD — essentially because it helps them make the most of their strengths and cope with their challenges. Effective assistive technologies focus on the core behaviors that interfere with learning by:
These are just some of the advantages of using tech to teach students with ADHD. As it becomes an increasingly essential educational tool, it will be important for parents, teachers, and school counselors to reinforce the use of tech for learning — even outside the classroom.
Alexis Anderson is a Digital PR Coordinator covering K-12 education at 2U, Inc. Alexis supports outreach for their school counseling, teaching, mental health, and occupational therapy programs.
- Increasing engagement. Computer learning programs and gaming applications provide immediate feedback and support multisensory learning and interactivity. They help to hold a student’s attention and prevent boredom.
- Reducing distractions. Using noise cancelling headphones or earbuds — as well as devices or apps that provide white noise — can help reduce surrounding distractions so students can focus on the task at hand.
- Improving time management. There are a variety of task timers that can help students stay focused during projects, remind them to pay attention or to take scheduled breaks to help them rest and renew.
- Helping with reading, writing and math. Tools like audio books can help students stay on track while reading to improve retention and comprehension. Portable word processors can help those who struggle with dysgraphia, a learning disability that affects writing abilities, and a variety of apps and tech tools can help students who need more support with math.
- Supporting organizational skills. Children with ADHD often struggle to stay on track when it comes to homework, schedules and staying organized. Scheduling apps can help with the former — and electronic finders can help kids locate misplaced items they may need for school.
These are just some of the advantages of using tech to teach students with ADHD. As it becomes an increasingly essential educational tool, it will be important for parents, teachers, and school counselors to reinforce the use of tech for learning — even outside the classroom.
Alexis Anderson is a Digital PR Coordinator covering K-12 education at 2U, Inc. Alexis supports outreach for their school counseling, teaching, mental health, and occupational therapy programs.
