Effectiveness of School Accommodations for ADHD

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that while classroom-based strategies can be effective for middle school students with ADHD, the impact of specific testing accommodations on their academic performance is less clear and may vary. More research is needed to fully understand which accommodations are most beneficial and for whom.

Key findings

• For middle school students with ADHD, classroom-based strategies like goal-setting and self-monitoring may be helpful in improving their behavior and academic engagement.
• Testing accommodations, such as extended time or reduced distractions, might not consistently improve test scores for students with ADHD.
• The effectiveness of testing accommodations can depend on individual student needs and the specific type of accommodation provided.
• It is important to consider a combination of classroom support and individualized accommodations to best support students with ADHD.

Studies cited (2)

1. Comparison of Four Classroom-Based Strategies for Middle School Students With ADHD: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial — Harrison JR, Evans SW, Zatz J (2022, Journal of attention disorders, rct)

   DOI: 10.1177/10870547221081108

2. Academic Testing Accommodations for ADHD: Do They Help? — Pritchard AE, Koriakin T, Carey L (2016, Learning disabilities (Pittsburgh, Pa.), other)

   DOI: 10.18666/LDMJ-2016-V21-I2-7414 PMCID: PMC5424262