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ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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ADHD is often classified as a disorder that affects concentration usually associated with naughty or just bad children. This is a common belief of people who do not understand the disorder. About 0.5-1% of children in the UK are affected by ADHD and about five times more boys than girls have this condition.
The ADHD brain lacks dopamine receptors which means messages don’t get through and it is thought children engage in all kinds of reckless behaviour to stimulate dopamine release. ADHD is thought to be largely genetic in origin.
The child will display over-active behaviour and compulsivity and find it difficult to pay attention. In severe cases the child will be treated with medication called Ritalin which can be useful but there is controversy over its use.
Common indicators of ADHD
Often doesn’t listen when they are being spoken to
Interfering with other children’s work
Restless and fidgety
Difficulty completing tasks and following instructions
Interrupts and can’t stop talking
Difficulty listening
Doesn’t think of the consequences and acts impulsively
Runs about inappropriately
Finds it hard to stick to an activity
These children often find it hard to learn and often underachieve at school.
How to support a child with ADHD Keep instructions simple For temper tantrums use a ‘quiet time’ technique Catch them being good and praise this Try to stay calm avoid being angry if possible Distract the child wherever possible Give clear routines Provide the child with choices In school the child can be supported in the following ways: Give the pupil special ‘jobs’ to do Minimise distractions in the room Vary activities in the lesson so that the child is not sitting at the desk all the time Get the child to repeat back what you have asked them to do Always use praise and reward positive behaviour Set long and short term achievable targets Use a task board to work through
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