It is frustrating for the teacher, their classmates, and the student with ADHD to be in a regular class. Fidgeting, daydreaming, interrupting, and losing homework are just some signs of ADHD. A student with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) can either have inattentive symptoms such as getting distracted or forgetting things. Or, they can have hyperactive and impulsive symptoms such as running around the room or shouting in class. The path to academic success for ADHD students may be longer, but it isn’t unachievable.

The most common problems that ADHD students face are short attention spans, hyperactivity, impulse control, and difficulty regulating emotions.

A conducive school environment

ADHD students need special educational aids. Dedicated classrooms are created with smaller class strengths and specially qualified teachers who are trained to work with students with special needs. The pedagogy is adjusted with novel teaching styles that adjust to the student’s learning pace.

ADHD students with hyperactivity have a strong urge to keep moving and it is difficult to hold their attention to any single task for long. It is tougher for them to cope with distractions and often miss critical instructions. Thus, the lesson plans have to be shorter, and the class must be spaced with frequent breaks. These students have difficulty demonstrating their conceptual understanding, so the tests have to be designed to make it easy for them to articulate their ideas.

NIOS Curriculum for ADHD students

Regular school boards such as CBSE and ICSE have heavy curricula that students with ADHD may have difficulty coping with. NIOS gives students the alternative to take up as much course load as they can handle and even drop subjects that they do not have the aptitude for. Thus, a student can study at their own pace, with special teachers, and appear for exams when they are prepared.

The National Institute of Open School (NIOS) recognizes various physical and mental disabilities and creates a unique space for students with special needs. For ADHD student examinations, they offer special relaxation provisions such as a separate Room, calculator, Reader/Scribe, Computer, Extended Time, and Break.

Blended curriculum and Learning Programs

Special support schools for ADHD students offer a NIOS curriculum in which parents and teachers can work closely to help the child complete his/ her education. The concept of open school is to facilitate homeschooling options for students who cannot attend regular school. With the NIOS curriculum, special schools can give structured education to ADHD students, which is important for helping them set a routine.

These schools also offer extracurricular activities, counseling, and other programs and workshops that have proven to show positive results among students. They can create a conducive ecosystem for parents and students to better understand how to manage ADHD and its many challenges.

To help ADHD students, parents, and teachers have to work to create a learning environment that keeps the student constantly engaged. Lots of positive feedback and encouragement are required to bolster the child’s confidence and help them not to be discouraged. Simple efforts such as writing a daily list of tasks on a board or a piece of paper that the student must check after completing will help them build consistent habits.

The main aim of special schools, NIOS curriculum, and specialized treatment of ADHD students is to give them a sense of control to motivate them to stay on track and work towards their aims one day at a time.