Organizational Supports for ADHD Students

Many students with ADHD have significant difficulties with organization. 

They are more likely to respond positively when teachers establish class routines and set procedures and maintain a well-organized learning environment. 

Clear rules and advanced planning are keys to success for teachers of students with ADHD.

The following organizational supports are particularly useful. Students should be taught to use these tools through teacher modeling and guided practice with feedback before being expected to use them more independently.

Assignment Notebook: Provide the student with an assignment notebook to help
organize homework and seatwork.

Color-Coded Folders: Provide the student with color-coded folders to help
organize assignments for different academic subjects.

Homework Partners: Assign the student a partner who can help record
homework and other seatwork in the proper folders and assignment book.

Clean Out Dates: Periodically ask the student to sort through and clean out his or
her desk, book bag, and other special places where written assignments are stored.

Extra Books: Provide the student with an extra set of books or electronic
versions of books for use at home. This eliminates the student having to
remember to bring books back and forth.

Use of Calendars: Teach the student to use a calendar for scheduling
assignments. Tape a schedule of planned daily activities to the student’s desk to
help with time management and transitions.

Checklist of Homework Supplies: Give the student a checklist that identifies
categories of items needed for homework assignments. The checklist can be
taped to the inside of the student’s locker or desk.