Make Your Classroom ADHD-Friendly with Transition Planning

For students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), navigating transitions can be a tremendous challenge. It is often exacerbated by weak Executive Function skills including Organization, Prioritization, and Time Management. You might wonder how transition planning makes a classroom more ADHD-friendly. Transition planning helps students with ADHD in anticipating and mentally preparing for changes, lowering anxiety and resistance. It provides a clear roadmap for what to expect during the transition, whether it's switching classes, switching activities, or beginning a new school year.

The most basic way to support students with transition planning is to make their daily schedules visual. Displaying a school schedule in your classroom is a great place to start. To make a schedule even more meaningful for students, consider displaying a daily schedule for each class section. A daily schedule, for example, with set time intervals for different tasks can assist students in seamlessly transitioning from one task to another.

A daily class schedule does not need specific time intervals in order to be beneficial. An agenda that lists tasks or activities in order still helps students with ADHD in anticipating and mentally preparing for changes.

Entering and exiting the classroom are two transitions that can be particularly challenging for students with ADHD. Support students with these transitions by establishing clear entry and exit routines. Then, make these routines visual. You could, for instance, project the entry routine on the board when students walk into the room.

Transition planning is critical for students with ADHD, and it can help them manage changes more smoothly and minimize stress by addressing their issues with Executive Functioning. Students with ADHD can develop strong Executive Functions with the right strategies and support. Incorporating the right management and instructional strategies into your classroom can have a huge impact on children with ADHD and Executive Function issues. BrainTracks Executive Function professional development workshops are designed to give educators the tools and information you need to better manage their classroom and, as a result, increase student success. If you're ready to take the next step and bring Executive Function skills to your school, please contact us today!