At a glance
- Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can do well in school with support from parents, teachers, and school administrators.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends including the school setting, program, or placement as part of any ADHD treatment plan.
- Schools can use behavioral classroom management and organizational training to support learning.
- Students may qualify for help through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or a Section 504 Plan.
- Classroom supports can include clear tasks, positive feedback, breaks, and fewer distractions.
What to know
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that the school environment, program, or placement is a part of any ADHD treatment plan.
Children with ADHD experience more obstacles in their path to success in school than the average student. Schools can help support children with ADHD by offering
- School-based management strategies, such as behavioral classroom management or organizational training,
- Special education services to build skills and support learning, and
- Accommodations to lessen the effect of ADHD on their learning.
Helping children with ADHD at school
The AAP recommends teacher-led behavior therapy for school-aged children with ADHD. Families, educators, and healthcare providers working together help children with ADHD do well in school.
School strategies for students with ADHD
The following school-based management strategies have been shown to help students with ADHD:1
For children who attend early childhood programs, these strategies are usually most effective if parents and early care and education providers work together to help the child.
Behavioral classroom management
Behavioral classroom management helps students build positive classroom behaviors. It uses a reward system or a daily report card and helps reduce negative behaviors.
This teacher-led approach has been shown to influence student behavior in an effective way and increase academic engagement.
While most studies on this approach were done in elementary schools, behavioral classroom management has been shown to work for students of all ages.
Organizational training
Organizational training teaches children time management, planning skills, and ways to keep school materials organized in order to optimize student learning and reduce distractions. This management strategy has been tested with children and adolescents.
Teaching and supporting positive behavior
School services and accommodations
Most children with ADHD receive some school services. This may include special education services and accommodations.
Federal regulations for school services
School support and services are regulated by laws. The U.S. Department of Education has developed a "Know your rights" letter for parents and a resource guide for educators to help educators, families, students, and other interested groups better understand how these laws apply to students with ADHD so that they can get the services and education they need to be successful.
There are two laws in the U.S. that govern special education services and accommodations for children with disabilities:
— The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
— Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Children who struggle with learning and behavior, including children with ADHD, can also receive interventions through the multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
Eligibility
Children with ADHD may be eligible for special education services through a category called "other health impairment."A
If a child with ADHD has ongoing needs, the type of support the school provides may depend on eligibility for either:
- An Individualized Education Program (IEP), or
- A Section 504 Plan
What's the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan?
Provides individualized special education services to meet the unique needs of the child and is governed under the Federal law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Provides services and changes to the learning environment to meet the needs of the child as adequately as other students and is part of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Special education services and accommodations
IEPs and 504 plans can offer accommodations for students to help them manage their ADHD.
Did you know?
Accommodations at school might include:
- Extra time and support on tests and assignments
- Instruction and assignments tailored to the child
- Positive reinforcement and feedback
- Using technology to assist with tasks
- Allowing breaks or time to move around
- Changes to the environment to limit distraction
- Extra help with staying organized
There is limited information on which types of accommodations are effective for children with ADHD.3 However, some evidence shows that setting clear expectations, providing immediate positive feedback, and communicating daily with parents through a daily report card can help.4
Working together
For teachers and school administrators, helping students manage their ADHD symptoms can be hard. Most students with ADHD are not enrolled in special education classes but do need extra support on a daily basis.
Close collaboration between the school, parents, and healthcare providers helps. When everyone works together, the student can get the support they need.
Positive approaches
Tips for classroom success5
✔️Give frequent feedback and attention to positive behavior. Be sensitive to the influence of ADHD on emotions, such as self-esteem issues or difficulty regulating feelings.
✔️Provide extra warnings before transitions and changes in routines.
✔️Understand that children with ADHD may become deeply absorbed in activities that interest them (hyper-focus) and may need extra assistance shifting their attention.
Assignments and tasks
✔️Make assignments clear—check with the student to see if they understand what they need to do.
✔️Provide choices to show mastery (for example, let the student choose among written essay, oral report, online quiz, or hands-on project.
✔️Minimize distractions in the classroom.
✔️Make sure assignments are not long and repetitive. Shorter assignments that provide a little challenge without being too hard may work well.
✔️Allow breaks—for children with ADHD, paying attention takes extra effort and can be very tiring. Allow time to move and exercise.
✔️Use organizational tools, such as a homework folder, to limit the number of things the child has to track.
Develop a plan that fits the child
✔️Observe and talk with the student about what helps or distracts them (for example, fidget tools, limiting eye contact when listening, background music, or moving while learning can be beneficial or distracting, depending on the child).
✔️Communicate with parents on a regular basis.
✔️Involve the school counselor or psychologist.
More information
- Effective Child Therapy: ADHD | Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
- Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.
- U.S. Department of Education. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). § 300.8(c)(9). Available at: https://sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/a/300.8/c/9. Accessed on August 26, 2026.
- Evans SW, Owens JS, Wymbs BT, Ray AR. Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Children and Adolescents With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2018 Mar-Apr;47(2):157-198.
- DuPaul GJ, Chronis-Tuscano A, Danielson ML, Visser SN. Predictors of Receipt of School Services in a National Sample of Youth With ADHD. J Atten Disord. 2019 Sep;23(11):1303-1319.
- Harrison JR, Bunford N, Evans SW, Owens JS. Educational accommodations for students with behavioral challenges: A systematic review of the literature. Review of Educational Research. 2013 Dec;83(4):551-97.
- Moore DA, Russell AE, Matthews J, Ford TJ, Rogers M, Ukoumunne OC, Kneale D, Thompson-Coon J, Sutcliffe K, Nunns M, Shaw L. School-based interventions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review with multiple synthesis methods. Review of Education. 2018 Oct;6(3):209-63.
- CHADD. CHADD's Educator Training & Resources. Available at: https://chadd.org/education/educators/. Accessed on December 16, 2025.
- CHADD. Education. Available at: https://chadd.org/for-parents/education/. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- CHADD. Overview. Available at: https://chadd.org/for-educators/overview/. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- CHADD. About the National Resource Center. Available at: https://chadd.org/about/about-nrc/. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- CHADD. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Available at: https://chadd.org/for-parents/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act/#:~:text=What%20are%20my%20responsibilities%20as%20a%20parent%3F. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- U.S. Department of Education. Know Your Rights: Students with ADHD. Available at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201607-504.pdf. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- U.S. Department of Education. Dear Colleague Letter and Resource Guide on Students with ADHD. Available at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201607-504-adhd.pdf. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics. How Schools Can Help Children with ADHD. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/pages/Your-Child-At-School.aspx. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- ChangeLab Solutions. Developing Positive Disciplinary Strategies to Support Children with ADHD and Tourette Syndrome. Available at: https://www.changelabsolutions.org/product/positive-disciplinary-strategies-children-adhd-tourette?utm_source=ChangeLab+Solutions+Active&utm_campaign=0c815dc553-CMH-School-Disc_Launch_724&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-0c815dc553-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D. Accessed on July 17, 2024.
- Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. Inattention & Hyperactivity (ADHD). Available at: https://effectivechildtherapy.org/concerns-symptoms-disorders/disorders/inattention-and-hyperactivity-adhd/. Accessed on November 17, 2023.
- Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS). Students with Disabilities. Available at: https://www.pbis.org/topics/students-with-disabilities. Accessed on October 22, 2024.
- Lipkin PH, Okamoto J; Council on Children with Disabilities; Council on School Health. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for Children With Special Educational Needs. Pediatrics. 2015 Dec;136(6):e1650-62.