Teachers Use White Noise to Assist ADHD Students

By Christine Cadena - October 23, 2009

Educational Implications

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, typically experience complications with focus and attention in the classroom but that lack of focus and attention is often due to impulsivity and not,  necessarily, attributed to general attention deficits. If you are a teacher in grade school or middle school, and you have students that seem distracted and quite impulsive, this may be a sign of ADHD and using white noise in the classroom may provide a benefit.

The sounds of fans in the classroom can provide a relaxing and inviting environment to students, especially those that live with ADHD. By using white noise, you are providing a soothing and consistent sound that is often used in the home and even to help individuals sleep. White noise is the term given to any sound that is soothing, at a low-level, and stimulations relaxation. For students with ADHD, white noise may provide the one additional benefit needed to boost performance in the classroom.

Children with ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder, may be adversely affected by white noise as it may be too calming and make the student feel sleepy while in class. But, if your classroom is not filled with students with ADD, and you seem to notice the more impulsive behavior of ADHD in the classroom, try white noise for a few days and see how your students respond.

On a teacher's salary, finding supplies for the classroom can be challenging but white noise is one of those classroom support projects that can be created rather easily. Using a small oscillating fan, set at low levels, students with ADHD can benefit from white noise without impacting your own personal budget as a teacher. While the school may not support the purchase of the fan for white noise in the classroom, if you find the white noise does not help your student performance, you can always take the fan home for your own personal use.

Educational Implications

ADHD is a complex childhood disorder that affects millions of students each year. While parents struggle to find balance in the symptoms of ADHD, teachers often struggle equally as hard as they work through the academic  success of the student while also trying to manage the ADHD symptoms. If you find that your class has one or two students that may be struggling with ADHD symptoms, try creating an environment where white noise is available and you may find this improves your students' performance.

Sources: Educating Special Needs Children, Summer, 2007.

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