The Dopamine Menu - Teacher & SENCo Companion

Small changes, brilliant brains. 🧠

Pupils with ADHD bring creativity, curiosity and energy to every classroom. Their attention runs on interest: give them novelty, movement and a clear first step, and they fly. The right everyday strategies help them show what they really know, and those strategies help the whole class too.

The Dopamine Menu Teacher & SENCo Companion is a colourful, quick-reference guide to ADHD-friendly teaching. It pairs with The Dopamine Menu workbook, so the strategies you use in class match the tools pupils use at home.

WHAT’S INSIDE (12 pages):
🌟 About This Guide – the workbook pages that work brilliantly in school
🧠 ADHD at a Glance – interest-powered attention, executive function and strengths
🔍 Spot It in Class – what you might see, and what’s often behind it
🍽️ The Classroom Menu – brain breaks and boosts built into the day, plus how to make a class menu
🚀 Getting Started – chunking, first steps, timers, body doubling and starter scripts
🔄 Switching Gears – countdowns, routines, transition jobs and a calm reset menu
✅ Classroom Adjustments – tick-box lists for environment, instructions, movement, motivation, organisation and feedback
💗 Confidence & Wellbeing – strengths-first support, plus tests and exams
📊 Adjustment Tracker – a printable assess, plan, do, review form
⭐ Top 10 for the Classroom – a staffroom poster

HOW IT HELPS:
✔ Strengths first: positive, inclusive language throughout
✔ Practical, low-cost strategies that help the whole class
✔ Quick to read, perfect for busy teachers and cover staff
✔ Makes brain breaks and transitions simple and calm
✔ A tracker that builds evidence for SEN Support plans, EHCPs and exam access arrangements
✔ Pairs with The Dopamine Menu workbook

PERFECT FOR:

• SENCos and inclusion leads

• Class teachers, subject teachers and teaching assistants

• ELSAs, learning mentors and pastoral staff

• Staff training sessions and CPD

WHAT YOU GET:

• 1 printable PDF file, 12 pages, A4 size

• Prints on US Letter too: just choose “Fit to page” in your print settings

• Print the tracker and Top 10 poster as many times as you like

• Instant digital download, so no physical item will be posted

PLEASE NOTE
This guide supports great classroom practice and works alongside advice from medical and educational professionals. Information about exam access arrangements is general: always check the current JCQ regulations, which are updated each academic year.
© 2026 The SEN Advocate. For personal and educational use only. Not for resale or redistribution.