Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

My intent is to enhance your understanding of ADHD. I believe that education is the first, essential step in the process of learning how to manage the individual challenges of ADHD. I also know that ADD coaching builds hope by educating young people about their own unique circumstances in living with AD/HD.

1.  What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool and early school years. It is hard for these children to control their behaviour and/or pay attention. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD. A child with ADHD faces a difficult but not insurmountable task ahead. In order to achieve his or her full potential, he or she should receive help, guidance, and understanding from parents, guidance counsellors, and the public education system.

ADHD was first described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845. A physician who wrote books on medicine and psychiatry, Dr. Hoffman was also a poet who became interested in writing for children when he couldn't find suitable materials to read to his 3-year-old son. The result was a book of poems, complete with illustrations, about children and their characteristics. "The Story of Fidgety Philip" was an accurate description of a little boy who had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Yet it was not until 1902 that Sir George F. Still published a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians in England in which he described a group of impulsive children with significant behavioural problems, caused by a genetic dysfunction and not by poor child rearing—children who today would be easily recognized as having ADHD.1 Since then, several thousand scientific papers on the disorder have been published, providing information on its nature, course, causes, impairments, and treatments.

2.  How is ADHD diagnosed?

It is very important to get a proper medical diagnosis. Teachers and other school personnel usually are able to observe behaviours but are not in a position to diagnosis ADHD. However, the input they can provide through their observations is invaluable. Paediatricians or child psychiatrists are the appropriate medical staff to make the diagnosis. There is no simple blood test but rather behaviour criteria from the DSM-IV are used to make the determination.

There are three subtypes of ADHD.

Inattentive / Can’t seem to get focused or stay focused on a task or activity
Hyperactive-Impulsive / Very active and often acts without thinking
Combined / Inattentive, impulsive and too active

3.  What does this mean for their education?

Kids with ADHD may be delayed as much as 30% in their ability to pay attention and remember. This could mean a 9 year old is actually functioning at school more like a 6 year old. It doesn’t mean their intelligence is any less, it is just the ability to hold focus and attention to what is going on in the classroom. Although their body is present their mind is not! Year after year they fall behind, get discouraged and often start to act out to mask how far they are behind. They will do anything to keep their secret. They would rather become the class clown or worse than appear to be dumb in front of their friends! Think of the blow to their self-esteem.

4.  What are some solutions?

1.  proper diagnosis and possible medical treatment

2.  behavioural management strategies at home and at school

3.  coaching support

4.  classroom accommodations

5.  find opportunities to support and celebrate strengths

6.  establish clear rules, limits and expectations

7.  reduce the talking and use charts and lists as reminders instead

8.  consistently use positive reinforcement and logical consequences

9.  discuss the specifics of ADHD when appropriate so the student gains in self awareness and understanding

10.  always reinforce positive behaviour