Are breaks a good idea at school for ADHD teen ?

[ChristmasElf345]

Do your adhd teens benefit from having a 2 minute break from the classroom every 10-15 minutes to re focus. My child seems to be using the toilet a lot to just breath and walk around a bit as sometimes she feels overwhelmed with the standards expected such as no talking or staying still . Also helps her focus back in rather than daydreaming. Was wondering what other parents think of this ? Good idea or bad as I’m thinking whether to discuss with SENCO as to get her a card or something so she is able to do this or is there another way to help her.There isn’t a TA in her lessons and so only one member of staff to help .

We'd find this hard to facilitate as a school because who is watching where she is when she isn't in lesson. Also every 10 mins would be 5 times a lesson, that's a lot of missing time. We do issue time out passes for a couple of minutes outside the classroom but they are used once per lesson.

That would be disruptive for the rest of the class. She would also be missing a lot of the lesson if she’s outside for 2/10 minutes.

I think that would be really disruptive for other students tbh. Could she have discreet earbuds and be allowed to have calm music on when she wasn’t required to be focusing on the teacher?

What else would you recommend ? I do think every 10 minutes is ott and probably ever 20 or 30 mins would be more accurate 🤷🏼‍♀️ Maybe just once or twice but I’m looking for something which isn’t this to help

We had this suggested but school said no due to the no phones policy

But there are methods of playing music that don't involve mobile phones...?

You should move this to the special needs boards - you’re more likely to get responses from those with experience there. And yes, movement breaks for those with ADHD are generally recognized to be helpful.

Could she try something like a wobble cushion for her seat so she isn’t completely still www.physioroom.com/info/wobble-cushions-benefits-and-adhd/

If the noise in the classroom is overwhelming then maybe ear defenders.

A card for her to leave the room if she really really needs to would be beneficial as well. Has she had an OT assessment? Did they give any suggestions?

My DC has a card to get out of lessons when overwhelmed. They have used it a few times but sometimes the reassurance of knowing it is there if they need it is enough.

My school offers this but it’s lead to a lot of issues. Namely if child stays out for ages (not saying yours would), then teacher has to stop lesson. Also 2-5 mins in some subjects can be a subtopic taught and then child returns, has missed, needs one to one, spirals if this happens throughout a lesson. Do they allow figet toys? Quite a lot of pupils I teach use these to help focus.

*fidget

Have posted something on the SN bored before and got hardly any replies

Ok thank you x

Nope she hasn’t had an OT assessment as we went for a private diagnosis and they weren’t able to recommend anyone to go through with it

We use time out cards for certain children but they are not intended to be used multiple times in a lesson. Some kids get ‘jobs’ in the classroom like giving out sheets etc to give them a chance to get up. Some kids are permitted to fiddle/draw in class. Perhaps she needs to be sat close to the teacher so they can refocus her.
Tbh it’s difficult to say what would benefit your DD without a lesson observation - eg. Is she being expected to stay quiet for 40 mins at a time or 2? I’d be interested in asking the Senco if they have observed and what they think. It’s a tricky one. Ime ‘adept teaching’ is the best approach for kids with adhd and there’s no way of knowing if she is getting that!

Thanks!

I would arrange a meeting with the SENCO and ask for an OT assessment. Is she on the schools special needs list? Does she have an EHCP? What adjustments are the school currently implementing or recommending?

Would a stand up desk at the back of the room be an option? DH uses one (because he has back issues) and it allows him to move around a bit whilst working.

I agree that it depends on the expectations tbh. I know my lessons don't tend to have expectations of extended periods of concentration (5 mins max), however other subjects are different.

I'd speak to the SENCO and see what strategies they suggest. I do give students jobs, sit them on the end of a row so they can get out to "sharpen a pencil" without much disruption, give visual prompts, set timers etc. A time out pass is definitely a once per lesson and not every lesson thing.

No she’s not on the special needs list as she has more behavioural issues than learning difficulties .

Could be an option but she’s up and down constantly so I did suggest the idea given beforehand of helping hand out things ect

Agree ask for an OT assessment and recommendations for sensory diet/movement breaks to help her regulate

She doesn’t have to have learning disabilities to be on the special needs register at school. The frequent time out of the classroom and sensory needs are impacting on her education so should be being addressed by school.