Are you looking for ways to help students ignore distractions while working? If so, keep reading.

1. Place the learner away from those peers in the classroom who create the most distractions.

2. Make the learner be productive in the presence of distractions for short periods. As they become successful, slowly increase the duration of time the learner is required to be productive.

3. Make sure that all distractions in the classroom are reduced as much as possible for all learners.

4. Give the learner the chance to move to a quiet space in the classroom any time distractions interfere with their capacity and ability to function successfully.

5. Get the learner to practice a new skill or task alone or with an aide, the teacher, or a peer before the entire group attempts the learning experience or before performing for a grade.

6. Take the learner away from a learning experience in the classroom if they are unable to function properly in the presence of the distractions involved in the learning experience.

7. Teach the learner appropriate ways to respond to distractions in the classroom (e.g., moving to another part of the room, asking others to be quiet, leaving the group, etc.).

8. Give the learner shorter tasks that do not require expanded attention to be successful. As the learner shows they can be successful in the presence of distractions, slowly increase the length of the tasks.

9. Get the learner to take part in small-group learning activities (e.g., free time, math, reading, etc.) to lessen the level of distractions in the group. As the learner can function successfully in the presence of distractions, slowly increase the size of the group.

10. Embody appropriate behavior in the presence of distractions in the classroom (e.g., continuing to work, asking for quiet, moving to a quieter part of the classroom, etc.).

11. Let the learner close the door or windows to lessen distractions from outside the classroom.

12. Give the learner earphones to wear if oral stimuli interfere with their capacity and ability to function. As the learner can function more successfully in the presence of oral stimuli, slowly lessen the use of the earphones.

13. Give the learner a carrel or divider at their desk to lessen distractions.

14. Consider using assistive technology designed to help students to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to concentrate. Click here to view list of assistive technology apps that we recommend.