Ask questions to encourage participation.

Involve the student in presenting the lesson.

Seat student in the front row.

Use a nonverbal visual cue to redirect attention.

Work surfaces (desk tops or tables) should be clear of materials other than the task at hand.

Eliminate overhead hanging decorations that move and flutter.

Wall displays should be minimized.

Provide written schedule either on the board, at the desk, on a clipboard, or in a notebook depending on child’s age.

Seat student near positive role model

Acknowledge answers only when student’s hand is raised and the student is called upon

Increase the distance between desks to decrease touching other students.

Increase immediacy of rewards and consequences; implement a token system

Set up a behavior contract; send home weekly reports. Use a positive behavioral support plan, reinforce on task behavior and work completion with reinforcement strategies that are meaningful to the student.

Train peers to give natural feedback re: dislike of interrupting behaviors.

Midmorning snack to increase alertness, chewing gum or hard sour candy.

Increase air circulation with fans or by opening windows.

Use “ball” chair or seat cushions. This allows for movement during desk time. Can also be useful for the fidgeter. Cushions could be under-inflated beach balls, Disco-Sit, Sit N’ Fit. See you building Occupational Therapist for seating options.

Allow the student to work in different positions, such as standing at a table or a chalkboard, “pretzel” sit in a chair, lay on the floor.

Letting the child run an errand in the building or get a drink. Use movement in the classroom or heavy work ideas.

Allow different positions depending on the activity. If it doesn’t impact performance, allow a fidgeting student to sit pretzel style in the seat or wrap feet around chair legs. May also try the disc o’ sit cushion. It allows the student to wiggle in their seat without having to get up.

Allow for fidget toys if possible. Remember that no person is able to stay completely still! Allow a student to fiddle with a small object like an eraser in one hand if it helps.

Completely against school rules – GUM! It is actually good oral stimulation along with sour candies (and might help some children attend).

In general, provide movement opportunities throughout the day. They can be easy to implement in the classroom. You can use a short movement break before an activity is to start or in the middle of a lengthy one. Examples include running in place, jumping jacks, hokeypokey, hopping, stretching arms upward, etc.

Alternative seating – let the child who is always moving stand up and work. You can tape his paper to the wall or chalkboard and let him/her work there or simply have them stand at their desk to work.

Theraband can be tied around the chair legs to allow a student to move their legs into the theraband. This can provide sensory input to the body to help with focus and attention. For a cheaper method, this can be done with pantyhose or bungee cord.

Allow extra time to complete assigned work

Use a visual timer.

Shorten long assignments or break into smaller parts

Pair written and oral instructions

If the student makes careless mistakes, schedule a five-minute period to check work before turning it in.

Use assignment specific, daily or weekly checklists.

Seat student in the front near the teacher with their backs to the rest of the class to minimize distractions, or establish a work area with either a study carrel or a portable study screen.

Try alternative seating options, allow the child to stand at their work area.