Managing ADHD in School: The Best Evidence-Based Methods for Teachers

by Russell A. Barkley

Dr. Russell Barkley, internationally respected expert on ADHD, draws on his 40 years of clinical work with thousands of students, teachers and schools to create a definitive resource for the most effective methods in overcoming impairments for children and teens with ADHD.

Managing ADHD in School details more than 100 evidence-based recommendations to help teachers and clinicians increase the success of children and teens with ADHD. This manual goes beyond the "what" to explain "why" the problems are likely occurring, followed up with the most effective interventions.

-Classroom strategies for managing ADHD
-Reward systems for good behavior
-Downloadable assessment guide and report cards
-Proven discipline methods
-Medications and how they work
-Tips for teen management

Genres: Adhd, Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Parenting, Professional Development, Self Help

104 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2016

About the author

Russell A. Barkley (born 1949) is a clinical psychologist who is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina and an author of books on ADHD. Involved in research since 1973 and a licensed psychologist since 1977, he is an expert on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has devoted much of his scientific career to studying ADHD and related problems in children. His research interests include childhood defiance.

Reviews

[Chels Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is what it promises to be: a quick guide to managing ADHD in the classroom. It did help me to understand ways in which I can aid students to cope with expectations placed upon them, but I found it to be quite ableist, writing about students with ADHD from a deficit perspective, and encouraging many punitive responses. It was a good starting place, but hopefully not the only source educators are using to understand their students, who deserve more dignity than Barkley attributes them.

[Beth Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and informative guide to ADHD written for both teachers and parents. It felt comprehensive in that it provided a broad overview without going into a lot of detail. I also appreciated the practical tools and suggestions offered. I still feel like I have a lot more to learn about ADHD, but this book felt like a good starting point.

[Jennifer Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tons of practical, applicable information about working with students who have ADHD in the classroom. I did find several areas of concern that almost detracted from the information, but there’s nothing else like this out there that I can find, so I chose to ignore them.

First, despite the fact that there is a good list of references in the appendix, none of the claims in the actual book are footnoted or referenced. The author has decades of experience, so I assume he’s just asking us to trust that he knows what he’s talking about, which, if you look him up on YouTube, you’ll see that this is true, but it was a lazy move on the publisher’s part.

The other concern is that there’s quite a bit of outdated thinking, for example, the use of deficit language throughout the book, which has really become frowned upon by the larger educational community. Despite all of this, I learned so much that would have been so helpful to me when I was in the classroom, so it’s still a worthwhile read for regular classroom teachers with very little training in special education.

[Issac Silberstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding resource for school psychologists and educators.

[Dan Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is, as is obvious from the title, aimed at educators.
But as a parent I feel like it works for me as well, in that I'm hoping to impart skills and knowledge in my children as much as I can. So I feel this book is still a good choice for any parent struggling with children and executive function.

I think Russell Barkley seriously overestimates the time teachers have available to devote to individuals. The coaches, daily report cards, filling out of additional paperwork etc. outlined in this book would make most teachers balk a bit. The educators I know (and my feeling here is that I've been very lucky) would enjoy working with a parent and rise to the challenge, especially if it meant helping kids out.

The chapter at the end about various drugs and their delivery methods was super informative as well.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did what it promised, it explained everything in a concise way and it was easy to understand. I just had some issue with some of the practical tips for teachers. Although daily tracking is an important and successful way to record student data, I just found with the busyness of my classroom and the various needs of my entire class, it seems like a lot of work on the teacher’s end. Obviously it’s a teacher’s job to help these kids progress, but I have not had luck with sticker charts in the past because my day is just far too busy to be only focused on one or two students throughout the day. I have 22 kids in my class and there are SO many needs (beyond my few with ADHD) and that part of the practical advice just doesn’t seem realistic for me, at least in this moment.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Very informative! We are reading this book this year as a staff. I went ahead and just finished the book over winter break.

The ideas in this book contradict the crunchy-granola, feel-good ideas we have been told as teachers to use when dealing with ADHD impacted students.

• Address misbehaviors short, to the point and publicly

• Show success, maybe on a graph, as to how many problems a student got right on a graph and post it on a bulletin board.

I guess because their behaviors are so public, addressing and completing should be public.

Many, many ideas and checklists, and printable guides are provided.

I highly recommend this book.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explanation of how ADHD works: VERY helpful. Practical suggestions: interesting, but often less practical/workable than I had hoped. (But it IS helpful to be reminded things like, "It's OK and even helpful to let Kid X do Thing Z while working.") Occasionally, language seemed to characterize the KID rather than the behaviors, and this didn't sit so well with me. But I do intend to review the earlier chapters, where there's good basic info and principles.

[Rebecca Lesue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter 4 was the most helpful for me as a classroom teacher. Some suggestions surprised me. I am wondering if it really does work to have a recording of sounds that go off at random intervals to interrupt the students and have them self-check in the moment to see if they are on task. I do like the self-check aspect….

Because of this book, I made new posters for my classroom. I hope these ideas work. I’ll be back to add to this review.

[Megan Cina-Bernard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good recommendations and guidance, but overall felt outdated and out of touch. Seems to suggest that ADHD can be cured, which isn’t true, but is also vague about what “cured” means. Feels pushy about medication when I don’t believe I am allowed to have those conversations with families as an educator. Much more targeted at younger students rather than secondary students.

[Virginie Gagné · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! The book is short, but goes straight and contains a wealth of information about not only managing, but understanding ADHD. This meant that I was able to choose the tips that are best suited to my own classroom!

[Fabricio Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the best book about the topic I have ever read! It is extremely helpful! The author offers the reader proper strategies that teacher with ADHD students can apply in class. I really recommend this book.

[Ann Smolinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent background information and strategies for new and veteran teachers. Strategies are easy to immediately implement and can be used to meet the needs of students diagnosed and undiagnosed with ADHD. Best work-related book I've read in a decade.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As some who was diagnosed late in life with ADHD I’m striving to understand more about my brain. This book had some helpful ideas for my career and for myself. But some ideas are a little antiquated.

[Arthea J. Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Direct with specific interventions. Not filled with all those research studies. Very helpful to those new to ADHD, specifically in educational settings.

[Hanneke Wildschut · Rating 2 out of 5]

Praktische handleiding voor elke docent.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, solution-driven options for parents and teachers. Counters, in many ways, the open-ended, student-driven trends but with finesse can be woven together.

[Rachel Abarca-Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for teachers! It’s a quick read and actionable. Barkley provides the information needed to understand the strategies and interventions as well as thorough descriptions.

[Stephen Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for educators or parents of ADHD kids. Tons of helpful and practical tips for everyday life.

[Maggie Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book taught me a lot about ADHD that I did not know! Quick read and very helpful!

[Glennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally, the first non-terrible book about ADHD. I have managed to finish.

[Wendy de Pree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zeer goed praktisch boek, ook (kort) sterke handvatten voor leerkrachten in het middelbaar onderwijs! Werd dit maar overal toegepast, dat zou deze kinderen zoveel erkenning en steun geven!

[Beth Goodyear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic information that seemed dated.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read. Gave some of the signs and some techniques and ways to help ADHD kids in the classroom. Of course, parents would have to buy in and so would administration. This was better for public school and didn't really help me for my Montessori classroom. The medication section was interesting.

[Faigy Liebermann]

This book is a must read for teachers, professionals and anyone in the education field.
The book was short, and easy to read.
The chapter titled "Increased rewards for good behaviour" mapped out clear strategies and incentives that work for students with ADHD. Students with ADHD need incentives to motivate them. Due to the unique nature of ADHD punishments do not work and are counter productive.
The daily school behaviour charts were particularly helpful.
This book powerhouse must be handed to every teacher.