As a former elementary school reading specialist, I believe that children diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are fully capable of becoming successful readers when they receive quality reading instruction. Reading is developmental, and every single reader has their own strengths and challenges in reading.
Since teaching reading should include differentiation, instructional accommodations should be made to help a child with ADHD achieve reading success. Classroom teachers and reading specialists in elementary schools can put these solutions into practice on a daily basis to provide students with the foundations needed to thrive throughout their educational path and into their adulthood.
Challenges of Reading with ADHD
The most common characteristics of children with ADHD include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. When it comes to learning to read, children with ADHD do encounter these challenges, which can lead to difficulty paying attention to text or difficulty staying on task, especially in a large group setting. Learning to read can be a daunting task for any child, but it can be incredibly challenging for a child with ADHD.
These students can be easily distracted, overwhelmed, struggle to focus, or have difficulty when it comes to processing information in text. Children with ADHD often struggle to understand multi-step directions or complete a variety of lengthy tasks. They often lack control over their emotions, actions, behaviors, and thoughts. The challenges of reading can be exhausting for a child diagnosed with ADHD; however, some effective strategies and interventions can be implemented in any learning environment to help.
Best Practices for Helping Children with ADHD Succeed with Reading
Classroom teachers, special education teachers, and reading specialists are equipped with the knowledge of best practices to help children with ADHD succeed with reading. An individualized education plan (IEP) for a child diagnosed with ADHD documents a set list of accommodations that should be followed in the classroom to support the reading progress and growth of each reader.
Structured and Supportive Learning Environment
The first step is to create a structured and supportive learning environment based on the educational plans and student profiles. The learning environment may be defined in the whole group setting, during small group instruction, in one-on-one scenarios, or with a “push in” or “pull out” model depending on the needs of the child.
While these best practices will help any student succeed on their educational journey in many subjects, they are most beneficial for children with ADHD.
Classroom Accommodations
A class timer or personalized checklist (with or without visuals) will keep students on task and completing assignments. A regular schedule, routines, and procedures provide the structure that helps a child with ADHD function with ease. Flexible seating including stools, beanbag chairs, balance balls, standing desks, or exercise bike desks is also helpful for students. Brain breaks for children that include movement, singing, building, art, or play-based learning experiences also increase student productivity and engagement.
Learning Accommodations
Because students with ADHD are easily distracted in a large classroom setting, small group reading instruction in a pull-out model reduces distractions and yields positive results in reading. Fifteen to twenty-five minutes of direct instruction, depending on the grade level, is most appropriate. Using multi-sensory teaching methods to teach phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and phonics helps children understand and remember letter-sound relationships in decoding and encoding.
Using graphic organizers to model for students how to process information from a text helps improve reading comprehension. Breaking down reading tasks into smaller steps such as lessening the amount of text to read or reducing the number of questions to answer are also valuable for students with ADHD. Rereading poems or shorter texts increases a struggling reader’s motivation and self-esteem while also increasing reading success. When teachers implement all of these strategies and interventions, students succeed in reading.
Resources for Parents and Educators
Several key national organizations help support parents of children with ADHD. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) was founded in 1987 and offers online community support for families and professional development for educators. CHADD.org publishes a bimonthly magazine called Attention and puts on an annual conference.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is a nonprofit association that was created as an advocacy group to provide support and education for children with ADHD. Both organizations have membership available for parents and educators around the country. Local organizations, schools, libraries, and communities around the country often offer informational sessions and guest speakers to support families of children with ADHD throughout the calendar year as well.
Books and articles are easy ways for parents and educators to learn more about children with ADHD on their own time. Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder is a New York Times Bestseller for adults to read. Focused by Alyson Gerber is an award-winning middle-grade book for children with ADD to read and enjoy seeing a main character like them. ADDitude magazine is a quarterly publication from Web MD, complete with articles for parents and teachers. Finally, the special education teachers in your school can also provide resources for parents and educators to learn more specific strategies and interventions to support the needs of each individual child.
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