Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, a well-known psychiatrist and ADHD expert, once said, “Your ADHD brain is like a Ferrari.” When he explains this to kids, he says it’s like “having a turbocharged mind, a Ferrari engine, but the brakes of a bicycle. And I’m the brake expert.”
ADHD stands for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and it can make school more challenging for many students. Having ADHD means your brain is constantly full of thoughts and energy, which can make it hard to stay focused or organized. Many students take medications like Adderall or Concerta to help them concentrate.
As a student with ADHD myself, I take Concerta to help me focus during the school day. One downside, though, is that it sometimes makes me lose my appetite and feel down. In one of my interviews, I talked with another student who used to take ADHD medication but stopped because it made him feel sick, just like me. He told me he learned to control his ADHD in other ways.
When I asked him what helps him stay focused in school, he said his best strategy is always to pay attention to the teacher. That might work for him, but for a lot of students, it’s not that simple. Many kids with ADHD need better learning environments and more support to succeed both academically and socially. Understanding and accommodations can make a significant difference in the lives of these students, promoting a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.
Students with ADHD often grapple with lower test scores, lower grades, and even lower GPAs. Unfortunately, many teachers aren’t fully trained to support students with ADHD. However, some teachers in special education programs do receive training to help students who learn differently. Understanding the daily struggles of these students can foster a sense of empathy and support in the educational community.
I interviewed one of these teachers and asked, “What’s one thing you wish more people understood about teaching students with ADHD?” He told me, “Students can’t always control their ability to focus. As a teacher, instead of trying to change the river, you have to learn to flow with it.”
This really stuck with me. Teachers who understand the challenges ADHD students face can make a huge difference. One thing that helps is encouraging better study habits and allowing short breaks during class. When I asked this teacher what classroom setups or strategies work best, he said he keeps activities short and includes “movement breaks” to help students release energy.
That advice really connected with me because movement breaks have helped me a lot, too. Everyone’s brain works differently, but with the proper support, students with ADHD can thrive in school. Every kid should be able to have people who can help them with their needs, and all kids deserve a chance to be successful in the real world and in the classroom. People with ADHD can overcome this, as ADHD doesn’t have to affect their whole life. Even with their challenges, they will be able to overcome this challenge. With the proper support, students with ADHD cannot only succeed but also excel in their academic and personal lives.
