When your child has ADHD, school can be the place where they shine or the place where they struggle the most. Not because they aren’t capable, but because understanding ADHD requires more than simply expecting a child to ‘try harder’. However, when parents, teachers and SEN teams work together, the impact can be transformative.
Start with Compassion and Clarity.
Many teachers want to help but haven’t had meaningful training in ADHD. Starting the conversation with openness can make collaboration much easier and reduce the likelihood of friction or confrontation. There are many great ways to do this, including explaining what your child finds difficult and what helps. It’s useful to use examples and to keep things specific so that it’s not overwhelming.
Share Trusted Information.
Providing accessible, evidence-based resources helps schools to understand ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition, not misbehaviour.
Useful links include:
By helping staff to understand the basics, such as executive functioning challenges or emotional dysregulation, parents can help schools and teachers to create a foundation for effective support.
Work with the SEN Team Early.
SEN departments often have the training, tools and flexibility that classroom teachers may not. They can:
Adjust teaching methods
Provide sensory tools
Offer movement breaks
Help your child build emotional regulation skills
Ensure their needs are recognised across the school
If possible, build a relationship with the SENCo early as maintaining an open dialogue will help to ensure that there’s continuity between treatment at home and in school. It’s also important to share successes as well as challenges with SEN teams as it helps to build trust.
Focus on Practical Strategies (Not Punishment).
Traditional behaviour management rarely works for ADHD and can actually make things harder. Evidence-based strategies typically work far better. These can include things like providing clear, concise instructions and providing help through visual supports. Predictable routines are also likely to work better for children with ADHD, alongside positive reinforcement, movement or sensory breaks, and calm-down spaces if necessary. Remember that these aren’t excuses – they’re essential tools for helping your child thrive.
Advocate Encouragingly, Not Adversarially.
You’re not fighting the school; you’re trying to help them understand your child. Using statements like ‘this strategy helps them stay focused’; ‘we’ve noticed they do really well when…’; or ‘could we try this together for a few weeks?’ keeps the tone collaborative while still making your child’s needs clear. This is really important as it shows that you are committed to a considered and supportive approach, which the school and teachers are more likely to mirror. If there’s good support at home, it’s much easier for schools to be supportive too. This is true of any student, but especially those with ADHD, as huge variances in routine and rules between different environments will make it harder for your child to manage their executive function.
Further, your perspective and insight is invaluable. When teachers and parents combine insights – whether they’re emotional, behavioural, academic or environmental – children with ADHD feel more supported, less misunderstood, and more able to learn.
Beyond Clinics is Here to Help.
We know that navigating education can be stressful for you and your child. Our clinicians can support with:
Clear diagnostic reports for schools
Practical recommendations for how best to improve outcomes for your child within a school environment
Advice for parents and SEN teams on how they can work individually and as a unit
Guidance on accessing reasonable adjustments
Your child deserves a school experience that recognises their strengths and supports their challenges and with the right team around them, that’s absolutely achievable.
