School design for students with ADHD

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Paige Bischler (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )

Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Advisor

Lucinda Havenhand

Abstract: How can environmental features influence and allow grade school students (typically 5-12-year-olds) with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to thrive? There are approximately 6.1 million grade school students who have been diagnosed with ADHD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). This number is growing and neglects to include students who have not been medically diagnosed. ADHD in children typically causes hyperactive behaviors, impulsivity, and the inability to stay focused. Often, accommodations offered to students are extra time to work on assignments, breaks between assignments, alternative seating methods, reduced classroom sizes, and extra time at recess. Although these are helpful, none of these accommodations aim to change the environment where the students are working. This study investigates innovative and alternative design solutions for designing school spaces that help eliminate specific symptoms often associated with ADHD. This study pays attention to daylighting, materials, transition spaces, acoustics, and access to nature through a speculative design approach to imagine designs that demonstrate creative solutions to accommodate neurodivergent students dealing with ADHD. By considering each of these features within the spaces designed for this project, research shows that this should create a more positive correlation between students’ cognitive performance, distraction levels, and their environments.

School design for students with ADHD
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Created on 5/1/2022
Views: 4433

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2022

Keywords

ADHD, Attention, Classroom, Design, Distraction, Sensory

Subjects

Elementary school buildings $x Design and construction

Elementary school environment $x Psychological aspects

Attention-deficit-disordered children $x Education (Elementary)

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