Reasonable Adjustments: ADD and ADHD

As per the Disability Standards for Education 2005 reasonable adjustments refer to a "measure or action taken to assist a student with disability to participate in education and training on the same basis as other students”. They are designed to place students with disability on a more equal footing, and not to give them any kind of advantage.

Reasonable adjustments made for a student with disability must maintain the academic integrity of the qualification and not cause a health or safety risk for other student(s) or negatively impact upon the learning experience of another student(s).

Adjustments are negotiated to meet the needs of the individual student; this is predominantly done through a Disability Practitioner within the institution the student attends. They commonly include the following.

To accommodate individual students:

Students with ADD and ADHD may benefit from a range of inclusive teaching and assessment strategies.  Some adjustments that are frequently used for students with ADD and ADHD include:

• provision of lecture recordings
• assignment extensions
• provision of note-takers and/or access to lecturer notes
• assistance in the library or with additional learning supports
• extended exam time, preferred seating or alternative venue where distractions can be minimised
• allowance for breaks in exams
• alternative formats and use of Assistive Technology such as use of text-to-speech and speech recognition software, smartpens and so on
• use of organisational apps to assist with planning 
• alternative assessment arrangements such as oral presentation of information, individual rather than group presentations, recognition of practical demonstration of skills and knowledge (particularly in VET)
• allowance for student to leave the teaching space periodically.