Navigating schoolwork can be a significant challenge for students with ADHD, executive functioning struggles, or other learning disabilities. For these students, “study skills” is more than a buzzword—it’s a key area where they often need targeted support. While many students benefit from general study skills instruction, those with IEPs or 504 plans require individualized strategies that address their unique needs.

I’m going to go over what study skills strategies look like when included in an IEP, how they support students with ADHD and executive functioning difficulties, and actionable examples you can use. This article is designed to help both parents and teachers.

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What Are Study Skills Strategies?

Study skills strategies encompass the tools, techniques, and methods students use to organize, learn, and retain information effectively. For neurotypical students, these skills may come naturally or develop over time. However, for students with ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or other disabilities, study skills often need to be explicitly taught, practiced, and reinforced.

When written into an IEP or 504 plan, study skills strategies should align with the student’s present levels of performance and target areas where they are struggling. These strategies often include supports for:

  • Organization: Keeping track of assignments and materials.
  • Time management: Breaking tasks into manageable chunks and meeting deadlines.
  • Focus and attention: Staying on task and avoiding distractions.
  • Memory and recall: Techniques to retain and retrieve information.

Study Skills Strategies to Include in an IEP

Here are some effective strategies that can be added to an IEP or 504 plan:

  1. Dedicated Study Skills Class: Many schools offer a study skills class as a resource period or elective. This class provides structured, daily instruction in key areas like organization, time management, and test preparation. Students with ADHD or executive functioning challenges often benefit from this consistent, hands-on approach. IEP Connection: Include goals that measure the student’s progress in the study skills class, such as mastering a specific organizational system or improving task initiation.
  2. Study Skills Coaching: Personalized coaching is another effective method for teaching study skills. A coach can work one-on-one with the student to identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop customized strategies. This support can be provided by a special education teacher, counselor, or even through an outside agency. IEP Connection: The coaching sessions can be written into the IEP under “IEP related services” or supplementary aids, with progress measured through documented sessions or self-assessments.
  3. Visual Aids and Organizational Tools: Tools like planners, color-coded folders, checklists, and graphic organizers can be game-changers for students who struggle with executive functioning. Example of an Effective Study Skill: Teach the student to use a color-coded system where each subject is assigned a specific color for notebooks, folders, and labels. This makes materials easier to find and reduces overwhelm.
  4. Chunking Assignments: Breaking assignments into smaller, more manageable steps helps students focus and reduces anxiety. For example, instead of “write a 5-paragraph essay,” the assignment is divided into brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising steps. IEP Connection: Include accommodations that require teachers to provide step-by-step instructions or checklist versions of assignments.
  5. Teach Mnemonic Devices: Memory aids like acronyms, rhymes, or visualization techniques can help students retain information. For instance, using “PEMDAS” to remember the order of operations in math. IEP Connection: Goals could focus on the student using at least one mnemonic device per subject area.
  6. Scheduled Check-Ins: Many students benefit from periodic check-ins with a teacher or support staff to ensure they are staying on track. These can be daily, weekly, or as needed. IEP Connection: Add a goal to improve self-monitoring and task follow-through, measured through these check-ins.
  7. Testing Strategies: Explicitly teach test-taking skills, such as reviewing directions carefully, pacing during timed tests, or eliminating obviously wrong answers on multiple-choice questions. IEP Connection: Goals can address the application of test strategies in specific subjects, with accommodations like extended time or breaks during exams.
  8. Technology Supports: Assistive technology like apps, visual timers, or software can support students in organizing tasks and staying focused. For example, a digital calendar app with reminders can help with assignment deadlines. IEP Connection: Document the specific technology as an accommodation and measure its effectiveness through periodic reviews.

Addressing ADHD and Executive Functioning Struggles

Students with ADHD or executive functioning difficulties often face specific barriers to developing strong study skills. Here are additional strategies tailored to these challenges:

  • Environmental Modifications: Minimize distractions by creating a quiet, organized workspace at school and home.
  • Cueing and Prompting: Use verbal or visual cues to remind students to stay on task.
  • Repetition and Routine: Consistent routines help reinforce habits, such as always writing down homework at the same time each day.
  • Flexible Deadlines: Some students may need extra time to complete assignments due to working memory or processing speed challenges.

What Is an Example of an Effective Study Skill?

An effective study skill is one that a student can use independently to overcome a specific barrier.

For example: “Using a graphic organizer to plan a writing assignment.”
Students with ADHD or executive functioning struggles often find it hard to start a writing task because they feel overwhelmed. A graphic organizer breaks the task into smaller, visual parts, such as “main idea,” “supporting details,” and “conclusion.” Once the student has filled out the organizer, they have a clear roadmap for their writing.

Parent Advocacy Tips

As a parent, you play a critical role in ensuring that your child receives the right supports. Here are some tips for advocating for study skills strategies in your child’s IEP or 504 plan:

  1. Request a Functional Assessment: Ask for a functional behavioral or executive functioning assessment to identify specific areas of need.
  2. Collaborate on Goals: Work with the IEP team to create SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) IEP goals related to study skills.
  3. Monitor Progress: Regularly review your child’s progress on study skills IEP goals during IEP meetings or progress reports.
  4. Provide Feedback: Share what strategies are working (or not working) at home. Consistency between home and school is key.

Study skills are essential for lifelong learning, but they’re especially critical for students with ADHD, executive functioning struggles, or other disabilities. By explicitly teaching these strategies and embedding them into an IEP or 504 plan, we empower students to build the skills they need for academic and personal success.

Whether it’s through a study skills class, one-on-one coaching, or specific accommodations, the right supports can make all the difference.

Special Education Advocate

I'm an IEP/Special Education Advocate who has attended 100s of IEP meetings. I live in Chester County, PA with my husband and two boys, one is disabled. My goal is to make your IEP process easier and help you move your IEP Team to YES. When I'm not here, I'm probably in Harrisburg or DC lobbying for systems change for our kids.