Are School-Based Emotion Programs Effective for ADHD?

PostedOctober 3, 2025

UpdatedOctober 3, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

ADHD school emotion programs can be highly effective in helping students with ADHD manage their emotions, improve social interactions, and succeed academically. These programs, such as SEL programs (Social-Emotional Learning), provide essential skills for emotional regulation, impulse control, and positive social behaviour. By incorporating classroom interventions and social-emotional support, schools can offer the tools students with ADHD need to thrive in both the classroom and beyond.

How ADHD School-Based Emotion Programs Help Students

Here’s how ADHD school emotion programs support students with ADHD:

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs

These focus on developing key emotional and social skills, such as empathy, self-regulation, and effective communication. For students with ADHD, these programs provide structured lessons that help them recognise their emotions, manage impulsivity, and build resilience in social interactions.

Classroom interventions

Incorporating classroom interventions that focus on emotional regulation can help students with ADHD cope with frustration, anxiety, or overstimulation. Techniques such as check-ins, visual schedules, mindfulness activities, or behaviour charts can be used to monitor and support emotional wellbeing throughout the day.

Developing coping strategies

School emotion programs teach children with ADHD how to use specific coping strategies when emotions rise. Techniques like deep breathing, taking breaks, or using “calm-down corners” give students the tools they need to self-regulate before emotional outbursts occur.

Improved social skills

Students with ADHD learn to navigate peer relationships more effectively. Understanding how to express emotions in healthy ways and recognising social cues reduces the risk of social isolation and improves overall classroom behaviour.

In conclusion, school-based emotion programs are an essential component in supporting emotional growth in children with ADHD. When combined with academic support, these programs provide the foundation for emotional regulation, behavioural improvement, and academic success.

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Emotional Regulation in ADHD.

Avery Lombardi, MSc

Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.