Supporting ADHD Awareness Month 2024

October is ADHD Awareness Month in the UK. Aiming to provide reliable information and resources to help people thrive with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), this year’s theme is “Awareness is Key”. It’s all about encouraging the ADHD community and their supporters to come together and increase awareness and understanding by sharing information and support to all who could benefit.

As long-time advocates for supporting neurodivergent learning in schools, we wanted to take part in the action this month by sharing expert tips and information as well as how our RHINO SEN range can support pupils with ADHD on their learning journeys.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a brain-based disorder that affects about 1 in 10 school-aged children. Characterised by higher levels of inattention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity, the disorder continues into adulthood for around half those diagnosed in childhood.

Some common symptoms of ADHD in children are:

• Difficulty focussing on tasks or activities
• Poor concentration
• Trouble following instructions
• Forgetfulness in daily activities
• Difficulty with organisational skills
• Excessive talking
• Constant fidgeting or squirming
• Impatience
• Risk-taking behaviour

The first step to getting help with ADHD is to get a diagnosis. Speak to your GP and your child’s school to get the ball rolling. You can read more information on ADHD over on the NHS website.

How does ADHD affect children’s learning in schools?

ADHD can have a significant negative impact on a student’s ability to meet the demands placed on them at school because their symptoms lead to difficulty in understanding and retaining information, organising their time and work, and behaving appropriately in the classroom. Early detection and intervention are crucial to help children with ADHD benefit from and thrive in educational settings.

How can schools better support students with ADHD?

There are so many ways that schools can support pupils with ADHD, and indeed, schools form an integral part of any treatment plan. Focussing specifically on classroom accommodations, schools can create a more supportive and inclusive environment by:

• Having a structured classroom with clear routines and visual cues to help students with organisation and what to expect
• Minimising distractions in the classroom
• Establishing clear class rules
• Using visual aids to support with learning
• Incorporating movement breaks throughout the day
• Allowing extra time for completion of work
• Using school supplies specifically tailored to neurodivergent needs

How can tinted paper support learning in children with ADHD?

Tinted paper is a simple and cost-effective accommodation that schools can make for neurodivergent pupils, including those with ADHD. Tinted paper in soft colours like pale blue, green or pink reduces the contrast between the text and the background. This lower contrast helps to alleviate visual stress and eye strain, which are much more common in pupils with conditions like dyslexia, autism and ADHD. There’s also some evidence to suggest that tinted paper can help improve focus and concentration in students with ADHD by reducing visual distractions and distortions like glare and making it easier to track lines of text.

Aiming to assist with learning and promote self-confidence, our RHINO SEN range includes refill pads and exercise books consisting of pastel blue, yellow, pink, green and cream coloured, bleed-resistant 80gsm matte paper. This specification of paper reduces opacity from the reverse side of the page - minimising distractions - and offers a preferred texture to support with pen control in comparison to a smooth finish. The SEN range recently won a coveted Stationer’s Warrant in 2024 and has received glowing reviews from parents and schools alike.

Are there any other ways that stationery can help support students with ADHD in schools?

Yes – RHINO desk pads can assist students with organising their school week, offering a 5-column planner to note tasks and activities for each day of the week and free space at the bottom to make notes. RHINO flipcharts are excellent for facilitating visual learning which is thought to be helpful for students with ADHD and they allow flexible space for interactive learning and effective communication.

Help us to improve our paper stationery for special educational needs (SEN)

We’re always looking for ways that we can support learning for all pupils. Are you a parent, teacher, assistant or SENCo of students with special educational needs? If so, you could help us improve our range for SEN pupils and earn 40% off the RHINO SEN range.

Take part in our 7-minute survey here: RHINO SEN Survey

Discover our complete RHINO SEN range here, and sign up for our exclusive RHINO Schools Pricing Membership here, to receive site-wide discounts on our whole range of award-winning paper stationery for schools.