Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults. It is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD may find it difficult to focus, complete tasks, and control their behavior.
ADHD can pose unique challenges for students, especially when it comes to staying organized. However, with some simple strategies, students with ADHD can learn how to manage their time, keep their stuff organized, and be more focused on the task at hand. Here are some organization tips for students with ADHD.
ADHD Students should use a calendar or planner:
A planner or calendar can be an effective tool for managing time and keeping track of assignments and deadlines, especially for students with ADHD who often struggle with managing their time.
By having a visual representation of their schedule, students with ADHD can better organize their time and reduce the likelihood of forgetting important commitments. A calendar can also help with breaking down large assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks, which can reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
How to choose the right day planner:
Choosing the right calendar can be important – we recommend Plum Paper, although a higher price point, they’re well worth it for students with ADHD because of the ability to customize. They can set it up in a way that works best for each student. You can customize your layout, choose the month you want it to start, add pages, and color code your tabs etc. any way you like! (Color coding is often a very effective tool for students with ADHD as they function well when they have visual cues as reminders). 
How to teach your students with ADHD to break down tasks into smaller chunks:
Large projects can be overwhelming for students with ADHD, making it difficult to stay focused and organized. Encourage students to break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. This can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and make it easier to stay on track.
To break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones, you can encourage students with ADHD to use a task list (or their Plum Paper planner!) They can start by identifying the main goal of the project and then breaking it down into smaller, more specific tasks.
For example, if the project is to write a research paper, they can break it down into tasks:
-Researching the topic
-creating an outline
-writing the introduction
-write the body and conclusion
-editing and proofreading the final draft.
It is also important to help them prioritize the tasks based on their importance and deadline. This can help them stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed. They can use color-coding or numbering to indicate the priority level of each task.
Don’t forget to celebrate their progress and accomplishments along the way. This can help boost their motivation and confidence and make the process of completing the project more fun.
Create a designated study space to eliminate distractions & remove clutter:
A designated study space can help students stay focused and avoid distractions. Encourage students to create a quiet, comfortable study space away from noise and other distractions. If possible, this space should be used only for studying to help establish a routine.
Clutter can be a major distraction for students with ADHD, making it difficult to focus and stay organized. Encourage students to keep their workspaces tidy and minimize clutter. This can help reduce stress and make it easier to find what they need.
Use name labels to keep track of their items:
Name labels (Mabel’s Labels, obviously) are incredibly helpful for any student to help keep track of all the look-a-like school supplies and avoid water bottle mix-ups (prevent those germy swaps!). But they can be extra beneficial for students with ADHD; by removing the mental load and added stress of what belongs to them, the less energy they expend through needing to remember and the more they can focus their energy and mind on learning.
Minimize clutter for students with ADHD:
Clutter can be a major distraction for students with ADHD, making it difficult to focus and stay organized. Encourage students to keep their workspaces tidy and minimize clutter. This can help reduce stress and make it easier to find what they need.
Organizational apps can help students with ADHD:
There are many apps and tools available that can help students with ADHD stay organized. Encourage students to explore apps such as Trello, Evernote, or Google Keep to help them manage their time and stay on top of assignments.
Keeping organized can be challenging for students with ADHD, but with some simple strategies, it is possible to manage time, stay on top of assignments, and thrive in school. For more school tips and tricks, check out the Mabelhood School Hub
