ADHD

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.

— National Institute for Mental Health

Often misunderstood as a lack of attention, people with ADHD are often challenged by a state of hyperarousal. This leads to more intense emotional reactions which can manifest as rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD); their experiences are much more severe than that of their neurotypical peers. Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., author of ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life, says: "A better way to look at it is that people with ADHD have a dysregulated attention system." While individuals with ADHD are distractible, they also have a tendency to hyperfocus, which makes it difficult to "shift gears" or to stay engaged with non-preferred tasks.

• Primarily hyperactive-impulsive type
• Primarily inattentive type (formerly called ADD)
• Combined type

Students with ADHD may show one or more of the following — patterns vary widely and rarely look the same in any two learners.

• may seem to be daydreaming or staring out the window
• may seem busy, but off-task
• may be unable to sit still or need to constantly fidget
• may call out impulsively without being called upon
• may miss important details
• may struggle with transitions from one activity to another
• may rush through tasks and miss important steps
• may avoid work that is not interesting or does not have clear relevance

• Clear assignments: make sure assignments are clear and not too long or repetitive. Check with students to make sure they understand what they need to do.
• Simplified instructions: keep them short, simple, and detailed. Bullet points and checklists reduce cognitive load and free mental energy for the task itself.
• Provide choices: give students assessment options to show mastery — written essay, oral report, or hands-on project.
• Allow breaks: frequent breaks help students focus — a drink of water, the bathroom, or a brief walk down the hallway.
• Use visual reminders: post key concepts on brightly colored boards or highlight critical elements of written assignments.
• Increase active participation: student-centered discussion or small-group activities.
• Incorporate physical activity: integrate movement-based learning, such as a short workout or stretching exercises.
• Use timers: show how much time is left in an activity or how long until a break.
• Use checklists and schedules: include incremental due dates for larger assignments.

• ADDitude Magazine — "What Is ADHD? Symptoms, Subtypes & Treatments"
• Cleveland Clinic — Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)