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Understanding ADHD

Students with ADHD are often energetic, creative, and innovative problem solvers. They commonly need support managing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and concentration.

Definition

ADHD is a lifelong neurological condition. It affects the way the brain receives, processes, and responds to information.

Video hosted on Youtube http://youtu.be/0Wz7LdLFJVM

An explanation of ADHD and how it affects executive functions.

Source: The National Centre for Learning Disabilities (US) (opens in a new tab/window)

No captions or transcript

Source:

The National Centre for Learning Disabilities (US)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wz7LdLFJVM

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.

Video hosted on Youtube http://youtu.be/Hl7Ro1PUJmE

ADHD can influence learning, particularly the ability to focus, pay attention, engage with a task, and use working memory.

Source: ADHDVoices (UK) (opens in a new tab/window)

Closed Captions

Source:

ADHDVoices (UK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8jqxZrjZII

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.