Understanding ADHD
Students with ADHD are often energetic, creative, and innovative problem solvers. They commonly need support managing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and concentration.
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Definition
ADHD is a lifelong neurological condition. It affects the way the brain receives, processes, and responds to information.
Jessica McCabe of How to ADHD attempts to explain what it feels like to have ADHD, with the help of her online community.
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Attention refers to the management system of the brain, it's executive function – the ability to:
- pay attention
- organise and plan
- initiate tasks and stay focused on them
- regulate emotions
- self-monitor (keep track of what they are doing).
There are three main presentations of ADHD. Not everyone presents the same behaviours.
- Inattentive – students need support with organising and completing tasks, following instructions or conversations, and attending to detail.
- Hyperactive-Impulsive – students need support with speaking at appropriate times, waiting their turn, listening to directions, thinking before they act.
- Combined - a combination of the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive behaviours.
Indications of ADHD
The impact of ADHD can vary significantly from person to person, especially if the person also has dyslexia. Its effects also vary depending on the situation and the person's emotional state.
ADHD can influence learning, particularly the ability to focus, pay attention, engage with a task, and use working memory.
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When the signs outlined below are significantly more pronounced in one child compared to other children of the same age, and when their behaviour undermines school and social life, the child may have ADHD. A full medical/psychological assessment is required for diagnosis.
| Inattentive | Hyperactive | Impulsive |
|---|---|---|
| Easily distracted | Restless and overactive | Acts without thinking |
| Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks and play | Talking constantly | Interrupts people |
| Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly | Interrupting others frequently | Difficulty waiting for their turn in play or conversations |
| Difficulty organising tasks and activities | Trouble switching off/sleeping | Blurts out responses before questions have been completed |
ADHD and other conditions
It can be difficult to identify ADHD specific indicators, as ADHD often co-occurs with common learning conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
ADHD and giftedness can also present together. However, it is also possible for a student to present ADHD behaviours but actually just be gifted and bored or misunderstood.
TKI's Gifted and Talented webpage, Twice-multi exceptional learners provides more information.
How ADHD influences learning
Students with ADHD will often thrive as learners if offered opportunities to develop their creativity, leadership and problem solving skills. To be successful, students may need support managing themselves and their resources.
A short animated film that depicts a day in the life of a young student with ADHD.
Areas for support could include:
- activation – organising, prioritising, and starting work
- focus – focusing, sustaining, and shifting attention
- effort – regulating alertness, sustaining effort, and processing information
- emotion – managing frustration and regulating emotions
- memory – utilising working memory and accessing recall
- action – monitoring and self-regulation.
Specialist agencies in Aotearoa
If you want to explore further, these local and national agencies have a range of good information about ADHD.
Useful resources
The relationship between ADHD and learning disabilities
Read time: 5 min
Learning disabilities (LD) and ADHD often co-exist. An explanation of the connection between the executive functions of the brain – particularly the ability to focus, pay attention, engage with a task and use working memory – ADHD, and LD.
Publisher: About, Inc.
What is ADHD?
An explanation of ADHD.
Publisher: ADHD Association
Understanding ADHD
An online guide which contains sections on: what ADHD Is, signs and symptoms, other issues that can co-occur with ADHD, possible causes of ADHD, how ADHD is diagnosed, and how professionals can help.
Publisher: Understood
ADHD Signs and Symptoms
Read time: 16 min
A description of the predominant signs of ADHD you may see in children and young people at different age levels. A complete checklist of signs of ADHD at different ages can be downloaded.
Publisher: Understood
Groups that can support you
A list of national organisations that support students with additional needs and their families.
Next steps
Return to the guide “ADHD and learning”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: ADHD and learning
Understand:
- Understanding ADHD
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
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Support self-regulation and positive behaviourShow suggestions for Support self-regulation and positive behaviour
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
