I'm An ADHD Coach – Parents Should Ask Schools These 3 Crucial Questions

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is thought to impact around 5% of children – that’s roughly 700,000 kids in the UK. Children with this neurotype may struggle to pay attention, or experience differences in impulsivity and activity compared to other pupils in their class.“Given the nature of these differences, life in school can be particularly challenging for those with ADHD,” Dr Julia Clements, an educational psychologist, previously told mental health charity Place2Be.“Unsurprisingly, for many students with ADHD, school can be an overwhelming and stressful place.”While support is available, it can really vary between schools.Alexandra Loewe, specialist ADHD coach for children at The ADHD Centre, told HuffPost UK the different presentations of ADHD and the pattern of symptoms are often “not clearly understood in many schools” which can lead to “academic underachievement and social isolation”.Children with ADHD often face barriers that have little to do with their actual ability, she added: “Classroom environments that overwhelm their senses, teaching methods that do not reflect how their brains process information, and assessment systems that penalise their thinking style all contribute to missed potential.”The expert said she is witnessing a “concerning pattern” where bright, capable children are being “written off” because some schools do not understand how ADHD affects learning.“These children often have exceptional creative thinking and problem-solving skills that traditional educational methods and exams (at every level) do not measure,” she added.“This is not about lowering standards, it is about recognising different types of intelligence.”So, what can parents do?If your child has ADHD and you’re worried about their opportunities and education at school, don’t be afraid to set up a meeting with your child’s teacher to discuss how they can be better supported. Loewe suggested there are three key questions parents might want to be asking schools. These include: Does the school have a qualified SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)?What exam accommodations and classroom adjustments are available?How is support provided for organisation and emotional regulation? Dr Clements suggested schools could make classrooms more “neurodiversity-affirmative”.This could mean creating areas for stand-up working, addressing behaviour policies to see how they might disadvantage students with ADHD, or asking neurodiverse students what changes could make a difference to them in class.“Evidence shows that children with ADHD thrive when parents, schools and healthcare professionals work together,” Loewe added. She suggested to properly support neurodiverse students, there should be: regular communication between home and school, reasonable adjustments made that “level the playing field” for students, and recognition of progress as individuals, not just against neurotypical peers.The ADHD coach said she’s witnessed “remarkable transformations” when children with ADHD are properly supported: “Children who were once disruptive or withdrawn become engaged, confident learners.”Related...I Was One Of The First People Ever In The UK To Be Diagnosed With ADHDHow Do You Spot ADHD In Kids? Expert Shares The Subtle Signs To Look For At Home And SchoolWe Have ADHD, So Do Our Kids – Here's How We Get Things Done

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