ADHD is a common developmental disorder that affects thousands of children and adults.
Symptoms of ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD can be divided into 2 main categories: difficulty in focusing, and impulsive behaviour and hyperactivity. Common signs are being easily distracted, disorganisation, fidgeting and struggling to sit still, and exhibiting dangerous and difficult behaviour.
All of these behaviours will have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn at school and their ability to interact socially with children and adults. Difficult behaviour in particular can be very disruptive in a school or home environment, and a challenging behaviour training course can be a good way to learn how to deal with this calmly and supportively.
What causes ADHD?
There is no known single cause of ADHD. It may run in families, but recent evidence suggests that it may be caused when signals in a certain part of the brain are interrupted .
ADHD can also occur alongside other conditions such as ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder), and other learning difficulties such as dyslexia. It can also have a serious impact on a child’s mental health, seriously affecting their self-esteem and self-confidence.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
If a child is exhibiting difficult behaviour at home or at school, the first step in an ADHD diagnosis is to speak to your GP, who can make a referral for a specialist ADHD assessment with a designated professional. They will talk to a child’s immediate network, including teachers and school SENCOs to gather information and see if a diagnosis is suitable.
Strategies to support children with ADHD
ADHD is usually treated with a mixture of medication and therapeutic input, depending on the individual circumstances. There are also lots of strategies to support children and young people with ADHD which can be learnt on a Challenging behaviour training course. Such strategies include setting clear boundaries about behaviour, making to-do lists to complete tasks, and taking regular breaks.
Whether you’re a teacher, TA, or parent, having a good understanding of ADHD and a knowledge of supportive strategies can help young people to thrive at home and at school.
