School provision for children with ADHD type behaviour

[HopeClearwater]

As title ... primary teachers (or beyond) please tell me how your school supports pupils presenting with ADHD type behaviours e.g. lack of focus, impulsive behaviour, inability to sit in seat long enough to adequately get into the task at hand, that kind of thing. I don’t need specific advice but I would like to know what your school’s general approach is. Are sanctions / consequences applied in any way? Are there any OT interventions or physical aids (cushions / fiddle toys?) What’s your school’s attitude to these pupils? Thanks in advance.

We have a number of kids with ADHD, and some with ADHD and ASD together. I work in year 5.

Teachers generally build in breaks so the pupils are not sitting for long periods of time, and some kids are sent on errands (eg take the register to the office) to help them move about. Fiddle toys are used, but there are rules with them (eg don't distract self or others, it's to help focus not just a toy!). We also have the cushions, and stretchy elastic that goes round the chair legs that kids can then bounce their feet on. Pupils are offered sensory breaks if needed to reset themselves, and are also reminded to put their hand up when they blurt out answers. We also ensure we have the individual pupils attention when we speak to them because otherwise they won't hear what is being said as they can be easily distracted!

Sanctions are given for being intentionally rude and disruptive, violence and aggression, and blatant disregard for instructions given.

Many thanks @ShawshanksRedemption for your comprehensive answer.

Can I ask additionally how parents and children in class with a child with ADHD are told why these different "rules" for the child with ADHD are in place?
My DS is not yet in class but when he was last in class the class teacher just didn't get his difficulties (I don't think any of these things were in place and this did not help him to be in class at all of course); but he was constantly picked up for talking "because it wouldn't be fair if he wasn't told off" so of course was more reluctant to be in class anyway. It felt like the CT didn't want to make anything different in case the other children (or parents) complained. A friend with a DS with ADHD has encountered the same, where other children don't understand why X has fidget toys but they do not.

It can be difficult to balance because there will always be complaints of ‘that’s not fair’ and I have been accused of favouritism. I just shut it down every time. There’s nothing else you can do imo. Some students need accommodations and it’s no business of any other child why.

@drspouse If the fiddle "toy" is being used correctly, it should be a quiet thing held in the lap/hands to help that child with their focus. It's effectively a study aid, just like colour overlays or a writing slope, and is therefore agreed by class teacher, parent and sendco. If another child says it's not fair, it's usually because they've seen the fiddle "toy" being misused and distracting the individual child it belongs to and others.

My friend's DS colours or draws to help him concentrate in fact but it will be hard for other children to understand, whatever the concentration aid.