School always starts sooner than we are ready for. Before the school year starts is the best time to prepare so that accommodations can begin right away—not at midterms.
If you’re even slightly familiar with ADHD, you’ve probably heard of the “standard” accommodations—extended time on tests, note-taking services, lighter course loads, permission to record lectures. And yes, those are all helpful. However, for many of my clients (and myself included), they don’t go far enough.
The way ADHD brains work can create challenges that aren’t always visible—or fully understood. One of the biggest? Thinking inside our heads is hard. Like, really hard.
Sometimes that looks like rumination—getting stuck on the same thoughts over and over. At other times, it’s the inability even to get started. The process of pulling an idea out of your head and turning it into something you can articulate or express can be daunting.
This is all tied to executive function challenges, including working memory, task initiation, problem-solving, and information recall. When these systems are under strain, getting from Point A (an idea) to Point B (a completed task) can feel like climbing a mountain with no trail.
One of the most underutilized ways to support the ADHD brain? Externalizing your thoughts.
When we externalize—by speaking, writing, moving—we’re not just sharing ideas, we’re processing them. We’re helping our brain do the job it struggles to do internally. You need to talk, not just think. Movement counts too. It literally helps your brain plan and problem-solve more effectively.
So, with that in mind, here are five lesser-known, yet incredibly effective, accommodations that actually make a difference:
1. Use an External Monitor
Switching between tabs or apps to hold onto information is draining. Working memory takes a hit, and you burn out before you even start the actual task. A second screen allows students to view everything at once—reading on one screen and writing on the other—which frees up their brainpower for thinking instead of toggling.
Several of my college clients swear by this. Once they started using a second monitor, tasks that felt impossible suddenly became doable.
2. Dedicated Workspace Outside the Bedroom
Many students struggle to focus in their bedroom—it’s full of distractions or signals to relax, not work. Having access to a separate, semi-public space (like a coffee shop or corner of your basement) helps with task initiation and clarity.
It’s not just about preference—it’s about giving the brain the right environment to think and finish tasks where it is nearly impossible in other settings. Seeing others working also provides a subtle cue to stay engaged.
3. External Deadlines (with Accountability)
Internal deadlines? Not a strength for most people with ADHD. That’s not laziness—it’s a biological brain challenge related to executive function. When teachers or professors can help break down big assignments into smaller chunks with external deadlines, it gives students the structure their brains need to move forward.
It’s not about “doing less”—it’s about making the work actually happen.
4. Access to Office Hours for Verbal Processing
Having regular access to check in with a teacher or professor—just to clarify expectations or walk through a confusing assignment—makes a huge difference. Verbal processing breaks down barriers in executive function. It’s not a bonus—it’s a legit cognitive support strategy for ADHD brains.
These conversations have allowed my clients’ students to get unstuck and stay on track without feeling overwhelmed or lost.
5. Opportunities to Externalize (Talk or Move!)
This can manifest in various ways—talking through a problem with someone, pacing while thinking, or sketching things out. Individuals with ADHD often need to move or speak to think clearly.
My clients tell me all the time that movement helps them stop spiraling and get clarity. Talking it out isn’t just helpful—it’s how they think. We need to treat it that way.
Bonus Accommodations Worth Considering:
- Speech-to-Text Tools
Starting a writing assignment can feel like trying to push a stalled car up a hill. But give someone a way to talk it out first, and just brain dump? Everything starts to flow. I personally use this to draft every blog post—it helps me recall, organize, and just get going. - Body Doubling
This is the magic of working alongside someone else—even virtually. It cues your brain to stay focused and reduces that “lost in space” feeling. I consistently reach out to colleagues to meet virtually to complete administrative tasks when I procrastinate getting to my computer. - Modified Assignments
Focusing on comprehension over volume or busywork often leads to better learning outcomes, more engagement, and less overwhelm. Remember – it usually takes an ADHDer a longer time to complete tasks, so this can help even out the disparity.
Here’s the bottom line:
Successful accommodations don’t try to “fix” how your brain works—they work with it.
When we understand and support the actual way an individual’s brain functions, we see massive improvements in productivity, confidence, and even enjoyment of learning.
If you’re curious about how your unique brain works and want help identifying accommodations that actually work for you, feel free to reach out to me or one of our Center Coaches. We’d love to help you find your rhythm.
Alicia Kohls, M.Ed, PCAC
ADHD Coach and Life Coach, Executive Skills Coach