ADHD Strategies for K-6 Primary Teachers and 7-10 PDHPE Teachers

If you’ve ever stood in your PDHPE classroom and thought…

“Why haven’t they started?”
“They did this yesterday… what’s changed?”

You’re not alone.

This week on The PDHPE and CAFS Podcast, we unpack something that so many NSW PDHPE teachers are navigating right now. Supporting students with ADHD and diverse learning needs, without burning ourselves out in the process.

And here’s the truth.

It’s not about doing more.
It’s about understanding what’s really going on.

The shift from behaviour to understanding

After years in the classroom, it’s easy to default to behaviour.

They’re off task.
They’re not listening.
They’re not starting.

But what if that’s not the full story?

ADHD is not a lack of focus. It’s a difference in how focus is directed and sustained.

When we start to understand executive function, things like task initiation, planning and attention, everything begins to make more sense.

And more importantly, your response as a teacher changes.

Start here: one small shift

Instead of asking:
“Why haven’t you started?”

Try:
“What’s getting in the way?”

That one shift moves you from control to support.

It builds trust.
It opens conversation.
And it actually gets students moving.

Simple strategies that work in real classrooms

You don’t need a brand new program.

You need small, intentional adjustments.

Break the task down
Cover parts of the page
Start with the easiest question
Model the first step together

These are not big changes.

But they remove the barrier that’s stopping students from engaging.

And that’s where the magic happens.

Differentiation without overwhelm

Let’s be honest.

Differentiation can feel like another thing on your already full plate.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Your program is a working document.
Your adjustments happen in real time.
Your feedback comes directly from your students.

Ask them:
Did that work?

Refine as you go.

That’s differentiation.

And it’s far more powerful than anything pre-written in a document.

The real game changer

Connection.

Always connection.

When students know you’re in their corner, everything shifts.

Engagement improves.
Behaviour settles.
Learning deepens.

Because they feel safe enough to try.

You’re not just delivering content.
You’re building a relationship that makes learning possible.

And that’s what great PDHPE teaching looks like.

Next steps

If you’re teaching PDHPE in NSW and want practical, realistic strategies you can actually use tomorrow, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now: thelearnnet.com/168

Explore Kimberley’s work:
https://smallstepsbrightfutures.com.au/