Attention Deficit Disorder - how does it affect your child's schooling and education?

Teaching a child with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can be a difficult task. Many schools have identified the problem and addressed the issue because substantial developments have been made to recognize the problem. However there are still some schools lagging behind. Unfortunately these schools are not well placed to help individuals diagnosed with ADD.

The way ADD influences a classroom is observed well before any individual diagnosis is completed. It may be observed (for example) in a boy, following his classmates to snatch their books, or in a young girl sitting in the corner and playing with her hair, with her mind focused somewhere else. It is usually the teacher who first recognizes that a student is having difficulty focusing on class activities. However identifying the problem is just the first step, and the most difficult part is changing the inattentive or hyperactive attitude.

Treatment of the disorder starts when everyone acknowledges it and a diagnosis is carried out. It's important to decide whether medical intervention is required, since that would determine a course of treatment. There are a number of schools, which quite inhumanly emphasize that the child suffering from ADD be given medicines. Some schools though, take a more logical approach and comply with the wishes of the child's parents.

Whether your child is able to cope with the situation will often be determined by the type of school he or she attends and how proactive they are. In an ideal environment, your child should attend a school that understands the effectiveness of working together with parents, taking stock of your particular circumstances and respecting your decisions. Regrettably some schools lack this open-mindedness. Communities that are small and financially disadvantaged (compared to other communities), have the habit of being far too conservative and are often not able (or willing) to cater for children who have special needs.

ADD often makes children difficult to instruct . . . generally they are chaotic and difficult to control. For these reasons many schools refuse to accommodate such unruly children. Nonetheless, you need to ensure your child is not treated as a second-class citizen.

There are certain schools who will very promptly strive to put the child with the disorder in corrective classes, even if the child's level of intelligence is not suitable to that form of action. In many cases, this step is taken so as not to disrupt normal class schedules and other children. However, as a parent, you should not accept an unjustified negative categorization of your child.

Finally remember that as parents it's essential that your child knows you are always there for him or her. If any decision taken by the Class Teacher or School Principal disadvantages the well-being of your child, you should discuss it with them and come-up with a plan that ensures the very best outcomes for your child.