How Do I Decide Which Accommodations My ADHD Child Needs?

PostedSeptember 24, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 24, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

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

Choosing the right ADHD support for children involves understanding your child’s specific challenges and strengths. Not every student with ADHD needs the same accommodation, which is why a personalised, thoughtful approach works best.

Observe Patterns and Gather Input

Start by observing your child’s day-to-day school experience. Are they struggling with focus during lessons, managing time, completing assignments, or navigating social situations? Speak with teachers to gather insights about classroom behaviour, academic performance, and peer interactions. This feedback is key to shaping personalised ADHD strategies.

Formal assessments from educational psychologists or ADHD specialists can also offer a clear picture of your child’s executive functioning, working memory, and attention span. These assessments often inform accommodation decisions made through learning support frameworks like IEPs or 504 Plans.

Tailoring Support to Individual Needs

Once you understand your child’s challenges, consider accommodations that address them directly:

Difficulty focusing? Preferential seating and visual reminders can help.

Trouble completing homework? Extended deadlines or assignment chunking may be useful.

Easily overwhelmed? Breaks and quiet workspaces can reduce overstimulation.

Poor time management? Organisational tools like checklists or digital planners might support structure.

Remember, ADHD school planning should be flexible. As your child grows and school demands shift, accommodations may need revisiting. Open communication between parents, teachers, and support staff ensures the plan stays relevant. Moreover, providing parental guidance for ADHD students is essential in helping them develop better focus, improve impulse control, and succeed academically.

In conclusion, selecting the right ADHD support for children means focusing on individual needs, ongoing communication, and regular evaluation. The right strategies can empower your child to thrive both academically and emotionally.

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 Classroom accommodations for 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.