Supporting kids with ADHD in the classroom can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, they can learn to self-regulate. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with focus, impulse control, and managing their emotions.
But here’s the good news—when we teach them self-regulation skills, they gain the ability to handle their emotions, stay focused, and tackle challenges head-on without constant adult guidance. Time and time again in my thirty years of clinical practice as a school psychologist, I have witnessed that self-regulated students learn better.

ADHD and Self-Regulation: Understanding the Challenges
If you’ve ever felt like your child is racing through life without brakes, you’re not alone. Kids with ADHD often feel like they’re driving a Ferrari with bicycle brakes—they’re full of energy and ideas but struggle to slow down and focus. This can lead to challenges with attention, impulse control, and completing tasks.
Teachers often notice dysregulated behaviors such as students blurting out answers without raising their hands, struggling to stay seated, or having difficulty following multi-step instructions. These challenges can be frustrating, but with the right strategies, they can be managed effectively.
But here’s the thing—these kids are bright, creative, and capable. They just need the right support and strategies to help them regulate their emotions and behaviors.
So, what can we do to support them in the classroom? It starts with understanding their needs and implementing targeted strategies that work.

How Do You Self-Regulate ADHD in the Classroom?
Helping students with ADHD develop self-regulation skills is key to their success in the classroom. Self-regulation strategies empower students to manage their emotions, stay on task, and respond appropriately to challenges.
Take Jake, for example—a student who struggles with transitions. When it’s time to move from recess to math, he often feels overwhelmed and has difficulty shifting gears. With the right support—such as a visual schedule that outlines his day and verbal reminders to prepare him for the change—Jake gradually learns to transition more smoothly and with less stress.
Consistently implementing self-regulation strategies helps students like Jake feel supported, understood, and more confident in their abilities. Whether it’s providing structured routines, offering sensory breaks, or reinforcing positive behaviors, a well-prepared classroom sets ADHD students up for success not just today but in the future.

What Are the Four Basic Self-Regulation Strategies?
Self-regulation is a skill that helps students manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in different situations. Developing these skills takes time and practice, but when students learn self-regulation, they can better navigate classroom expectations and challenges.
There are four key strategies that can help students develop better self-regulation skills:
- Self-Awareness: Helping students recognize their emotions and triggers before they escalate. For example, a student who knows they feel anxious before tests can practice calming techniques in advance.
- Self-Monitoring: Teaching them to track their own behavior and make adjustments. A student who gets easily distracted might use a checklist to stay on task.
- Self-Instruction: Encouraging the use of positive self-talk to manage challenges. Instead of saying, “I can't do this,” a student can practice saying, “I can take my time and try my best.”
- Self-Reinforcement: Helping students celebrate their achievements to stay motivated. Whether it's earning a small reward for completing homework or taking a break after a focused work session, reinforcing positive efforts builds confidence.
By practicing these four self-regulation strategies, students can build resilience and confidence in managing their daily challenges. For example, a student preparing for a test can combine these strategies by recognizing their nervousness, using self-talk to stay positive, tracking their progress with a study schedule, and rewarding themselves with a fun activity afterward.
Proven Self-Regulation Strategies Students Can Use at School
Self-regulation is an essential skill that helps students with ADHD (and all students) navigate their day with greater ease and confidence. Without the right support, they may struggle to stay focused, manage their impulses, and adapt to changes in the classroom. However, with the right strategies in place, students can learn to self-regulate and thrive academically and socially.
By incorporating techniques that address their unique challenges—such as movement-based activities, structured routines, and emotional regulation strategies—teachers can create a supportive environment that fosters success. The following strategies provide practical ways to help students develop better focus, self-control, and emotional balance throughout the school day.
1. Incorporating Physical Activity & Sensory Techniques
Movement is key for kids with ADHD. They need to channel their energy in productive ways, and adding movement into their day can help them stay focused and engaged.
Here are a few simple ways to make movement part of the classroom routine:
- Take Movement Breaks: Schedule short, fun breaks like stretching, jumping jacks, or a quick walk around the classroom.
- Use Sensory Tools: Items like fidget bands, stress balls, or weighted lap pads can help kids stay calm and focused.
- Try Flexible Seating: Giving students options like standing desks, yoga balls, or wobble stools can make a big difference in their ability to pay attention.
For example, a student who frequently taps their pencil or bounces their leg might benefit from using a fidget tool to help them stay engaged.
No matter the age group, every classroom can find creative ways to add movement without disrupting learning.

3. How Do You Teach Self-Control to ADHD Students?
Teaching self-control to students with ADHD requires a patient and structured approach. Some effective techniques include:
- Setting clear expectations and consistent routines to create a sense of stability.
- Using visual cues and reminders to reinforce desired behaviors.
- Practicing impulse control exercises, such as waiting turns and delayed gratification activities.
- Modeling appropriate behaviors and providing opportunities for self-reflection.
By practicing these techniques regularly, students can learn to better manage their impulses and behaviors.
For instance, a student who tends to interrupt during discussions can benefit from visual cues like a “talking stick” or reminders to wait their turn.
4. Teaching Executive Functioning Skills
Executive functioning skills—like planning, organization, and goal-setting—don’t come naturally for many students with ADHD. Here’s how to teach these essential skills:
- Visual Aids: Use mind maps, charts, and graphic organizers to help students visualize their tasks.
- Checklists and Rubrics: Provide clear expectations with checklists for assignments and rubrics that outline what success looks like and show them what the end product is.
- Goal Setting: Help students set achievable goals and celebrate their progress along the way.
By breaking tasks into manageable steps, we can keep students engaged and focused. The key to developing executive functioning skills is to show students what the end product looks like and then work backwards in implementing the steps.
5. Focusing on Emotional Regulation Techniques
Let’s face it—when kids are overwhelmed, learning takes a back seat. That’s why teaching emotional regulation strategies is so important.
Here’s how you can help students stay calm and engaged:
- Practice Deep Breathing: Simple breathing exercises can help kids calm their nervous systems when they feel overwhelmed.
- Introduce Mindfulness: Short mindfulness activities like guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation can improve focus and reduce anxiety.
- Create Safe Spaces: A quiet corner in the classroom can give students a place to regroup when they need a break.
If a student frequently becomes frustrated during difficult assignments, encouraging them to take a short breathing break in a calm corner or sensory area can be helpful and positive tool to help them get back on track.
6. How to Help Students with ADHD With Positive Behavioral Reinforcement
Kids with ADHD respond well to positive reinforcement. Focusing on what they’re doing right helps build their confidence and encourages good behavior, as well as reinforces what they should be doing. We often only point to what kids are doing wrong, which leaves them confused, frustrated and reliant on adult intervention.
Here’s how to make positive reinforcement work in the classroom:
- Give Specific Praise: Instead of generic compliments, say things like, “I love how you used your sensory ball to stay focused during math time!”
- Celebrate Small Wins: High-fives, stickers, or a quick note of encouragement can go a long way in developing the skills rather than just rewarding the completed task.
- Encourage Peer Recognition: Teaching students to acknowledge each other’s efforts creates a supportive and motivating classroom environment.
For example, if a student who struggles to stay focused during independent work completes their reading assignment by using a timer to manage their time, offering praise such as, “I saw how you set your timer for 10 minutes and stayed focused the whole time—great job using your strategy to stay on task!” helps reinforce their self-regulation efforts and encourages continued success.
7. Utilizing Visual & Kinesthetic Learning Tools
For students with ADHD, visual and kinesthetic learning strategies are incredibly effective especially because kinesthetic learning is the primary way they learn.
Here’s how to incorporate Visual & Kinesthetic Tools:
- Hands-On Activities: Use manipulatives and interactive activities to teach concepts. For example, students can toss a ball while reciting math facts.
- Visual Learning: Use bright charts, diagrams, and videos to make lessons more engaging.
- Role-Playing: Incorporate role-playing and acting out scenarios to help students connect with the material.
These self-regulation methods not only engage ADHD students but also help them retain information more effectively.

Best Instructional Strategies for ADHD Students to Foster Self-Regulation
Effective instruction for students with ADHD goes beyond academics—it’s about creating an environment that supports their ability to self-regulate. Here are some instructional strategies that can help students stay engaged, build focus, and develop essential regulation skills:
- Chunking Information for Better Focus: Breaking down lessons into smaller, digestible parts helps students process information without feeling overwhelmed. This reduces cognitive overload and allows students to work at their own pace.
- Using Visual Aids and Cues: Charts, diagrams, and visual schedules provide structure and clarity, helping students stay on track and understand what’s expected of them.
- Incorporating Hands-On Learning: Tactile and kinesthetic activities, such as interactive projects and role-playing, allow students to engage physically with the material, making learning more meaningful and memorable.
- Providing Clear and Concise Instructions: Simple, step-by-step directions minimize confusion and set students up for success by ensuring they understand what they need to do.
- Positive Reinforcement for Encouragement: Recognizing and rewarding effort—whether through verbal praise, stickers, or other incentives—helps reinforce desired behaviors and build self-esteem.
- Creating Flexible Workspaces: Offering options like standing desks, quiet corners, or sensory-friendly areas allows students to choose an environment where they can focus best.
- Scheduling Frequent Brain Breaks: Short, structured breaks throughout the day help students reset their energy and attention, preventing burnout and frustration.
- Leveraging Technology for Engagement: Educational apps and assistive tools provide interactive and personalized learning experiences that cater to ADHD students' unique needs.
These strategies can be used in the classroom or at home when doing homework not just as self regulation strategies for students with ADHD but for all students.
Important Considerations for Helping ADHD Students Regulate
Helping students with ADHD regulate their emotions and behaviors requires a compassionate and holistic approach that takes their unique wiring into account. I often emphasize that regulation is not about control—it's about equipping students with the right tools and support so they can function at their best.
Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
- Individual Needs: No two ADHD brains are alike. Some students may need frequent movement breaks, while others might benefit from structured quiet time. Observing their cues and adapting strategies accordingly ensures that interventions are effective and meaningful.
- Collaboration with Parents and Professionals: Parents are the experts on their children, and collaborating with them—along with therapists and specialists—can provide deeper insights into what works at home and how to carry that over into the classroom. Consistency across environments is key to supporting regulation.
- Emotional Vocabulary: Kids with ADHD often struggle to express how they feel, which can lead to frustration and acting out. Teaching them to label their emotions and recognize their triggers empowers them to ask for help and use coping skills before they become overwhelmed.
- Modeling Self-Regulation: As adults, we play a critical role in demonstrating healthy regulation strategies. When students see teachers calmly managing stress, practicing deep breathing, or taking mindful pauses, they learn that regulation is a lifelong skill, not a quick fix.
By integrating these considerations into daily classroom routines, educators can create an environment that nurtures self-regulation and helps students feel more in control of their learning experience.
Final Thoughts on How to Help Students with ADHD in the Classroom Learn Through Self-Regulation
Supporting students with ADHD in the classroom isn’t just about managing behavior—it’s about giving them the right tools to succeed. By incorporating movement, teaching executive functioning skills, focusing on emotional regulation, using positive reinforcement, and utilizing engaging learning tools, we can help students develop self-regulation skills that will set them up for lifelong success.
If you’re looking for more support, check out our free solution matcher at drroseann.com/help. Remember, with the right strategies and a compassionate approach, students with ADHD can learn, grow, and thrive!
Supporting students with ADHD in the classroom is no small feat. Their unique brain wiring often requires creative approaches, and one of the most impactful tools at your disposal is teaching self-regulation.
When students develop these skills, they gain the power to manage emotions, stay focused, and tackle challenges head-on. Let’s dive into some practical and engaging Parenting strategies that can truly transform their learning experience.
Citations:
Guderjahn, L., Gold, A., Stadler, G., & Gawrilow, C. (2013). Self-regulation strategies support children with ADHD to overcome symptom-related behavior in the classroom. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, 5(4), 397–407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-013-0117-7
Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert in Self-Regulation who frequently is in the media:
- Healthline Understanding Self-Regulation Skills
- Scary Mommy What Is Self-Regulation In Children, And How Can You Help Improve It?
- The Warrior Parent Podcast It's Gonna Be OK! Changing Behaviors and Responses (And The Magic of Magnesium)In Your Family with Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
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