Common ADHD classroom accommodations may not help students succeed, study finds
Extra time on assignments. Frequent breaks. A quiet place to work. For students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), these are some of the most common accommodations schools provide to make learning easier. But are they actually helping children succeed? A new study from Florida International University (FIU) suggests that some widely used approaches may be falling short.
Common classroom accommodations for students with ADHD, such as extra time on assignments, frequent breaks and working in a low-distraction environment, may not effectively improve classroom behavior or academic performance, according to a study from Florida International University. Researchers evaluated four common accommodations and found no significant effect on children with ADHD, even when combined with behavioral interventions or medication.
However, behavioral interventions and stimulant medication showed measurable improvements. Behavioral interventions reduced rule violations during independent work by 37%, while medication reduced them by 61%. Medication also helped children complete more work and earn higher quiz scores. The study's author, Gregory Fabiano, suggests that these accommodations fail to build skills or address motivation, which are crucial for learning.
He recommends focusing on positive behavioral supports, like praising appropriate behavior, setting clear expectations and providing consistent feedback, as well as daily report cards to track progress.
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