First published 22 Jan 2009
So much ignorance - even among teachers
I include myself in that - a few years ago, I would have had similar views to many of the posters.
Since the birth of my son, now diagnosed with ADHD, APD, and SPD my views have completely changed.
I used to have zero tolerance to antisocial behaviour, criminality and the like - now I can see how kids can end up in trouble.
Teachers blamed parents, mostly because it was "the easiest option" to pick in the survey. If you take the time to look at the survey report, there is no option for clinical reasons for bad behaviour, and teachers are hardly likely to select "bad teaching / school environment" as a reason for bad behaviour...
ADHD and related conditions really impact on a child's ability to learn. These children have poor impulse control - meaning they tend to lash out physically and verbally and this gets noticed. More placid children will cause trouble when no teachers are around, an ADHD child will react whatever the situation -teacher or not THEY CAN'T HELP IT.
Additionally the brains of children with ADHD work differently. The feedback loop that helps them to suppress bad behaviour and reinforces good just doesn't work (search for research on Dopamine function with ADHD). Combined with a poor attention span, these kids really struggle in a classroom environment that WE force them to be in.(My emphasis)
A hundred years ago, when we had to live by our wits (and perhaps in times to come....) the instant reactions, hyper alertness, and literal thinking of many of these children would have left them far better placed to deal with the world around them than the more placid types who "succeed" today.
Discipline methods that work with "normal" children often make things worse with an ADHD child, teachers more than anyone need to understand this, and be made aware of the appropriate way to deal with this. (My emphasis)
Unfortunately, I feel the program completely missed the point of clinical reasons for bad behaviour. It is estimated that every class will contain 1 or 2 children with ADHD, many undiagnosed. If not detected, and managed these children can disrupt the class, and end up in a real bad way. A vicious cycle of low self esteem, bad behaviour, and ultimately drug abuse and criminality often results. Which can be a massive burden on society.
Take a look here for a child's perspective: http://www.addiss.co.uk/schoolreport.pdf
It was great seeing the steps being taken at some schools to deal with the issues - I just felt they are not completely understood. Several of the children in the program appeared to exhibit classic ADHD symptoms.
Bad parenting is no doubt the cause of many instances of bad behaviour, and can make the behaviour of a child with ADHD even worse - unfortunately as there are genetic links, many parents of ADHD children are undiagnosed sufferers themselves, making them less able to deal with the situation correctly. However, even with the best parenting in the world, the behaviour of an ADHD sufferer will be challenging and misunderstood by many.
Do some research guys - it's not all bad. I know, I've done it.
From apssf at http://www.digitalspy.biz/forums/showthread.php?p=29940060
So much ignorance - even among teachers
I include myself in that - a few years ago, I would have had similar views to many of the posters.
Since the birth of my son, now diagnosed with ADHD, APD, and SPD my views have completely changed.
I used to have zero tolerance to antisocial behaviour, criminality and the like - now I can see how kids can end up in trouble.
Teachers blamed parents, mostly because it was "the easiest option" to pick in the survey. If you take the time to look at the survey report, there is no option for clinical reasons for bad behaviour, and teachers are hardly likely to select "bad teaching / school environment" as a reason for bad behaviour...
ADHD and related conditions really impact on a child's ability to learn. These children have poor impulse control - meaning they tend to lash out physically and verbally and this gets noticed. More placid children will cause trouble when no teachers are around, an ADHD child will react whatever the situation -teacher or not THEY CAN'T HELP IT.
Additionally the brains of children with ADHD work differently. The feedback loop that helps them to suppress bad behaviour and reinforces good just doesn't work (search for research on Dopamine function with ADHD). Combined with a poor attention span, these kids really struggle in a classroom environment that WE force them to be in.(My emphasis)
A hundred years ago, when we had to live by our wits (and perhaps in times to come....) the instant reactions, hyper alertness, and literal thinking of many of these children would have left them far better placed to deal with the world around them than the more placid types who "succeed" today.
Discipline methods that work with "normal" children often make things worse with an ADHD child, teachers more than anyone need to understand this, and be made aware of the appropriate way to deal with this. (My emphasis)
Unfortunately, I feel the program completely missed the point of clinical reasons for bad behaviour. It is estimated that every class will contain 1 or 2 children with ADHD, many undiagnosed. If not detected, and managed these children can disrupt the class, and end up in a real bad way. A vicious cycle of low self esteem, bad behaviour, and ultimately drug abuse and criminality often results. Which can be a massive burden on society.
Take a look here for a child's perspective: http://www.addiss.co.uk/schoolreport.pdf
It was great seeing the steps being taken at some schools to deal with the issues - I just felt they are not completely understood. Several of the children in the program appeared to exhibit classic ADHD symptoms.
Bad parenting is no doubt the cause of many instances of bad behaviour, and can make the behaviour of a child with ADHD even worse - unfortunately as there are genetic links, many parents of ADHD children are undiagnosed sufferers themselves, making them less able to deal with the situation correctly. However, even with the best parenting in the world, the behaviour of an ADHD sufferer will be challenging and misunderstood by many.
Do some research guys - it's not all bad. I know, I've done it.
From apssf at http://www.digitalspy.biz/forums/showthread.php?p=29940060