In schools, every day, we see children in classes who are struggling to sit, to focus, to start their work, we see children who are impulsive, children who upset friends with their unpredictable responses, and those who display dangerous behaviour. Many of these children and their families have been waiting for an assessment to see if the child should be diagnosed with ADHD. Waiting lists are long and some of these children have been waiting for years.
During these years of waiting, these children will spend much of their day facing negative comments: being told to sit still, to stay in their seat, to not shout out, they will be told not to do whatever it is they are doing, they will be compared unfavourably with other children at both home and school. Imagine the impact this has on their self-esteem.
I meet so many parents, often mums, who are dealing with these challenging behaviours at home, often on no sleep because their child finds it so difficult to switch their brain off at night. Many children are described as ‘whirlwinds’ – imagine that every day and all night in your home.
I have seen three children since we started back who have been diagnosed with ADHD over the summer and who have started medication (because it is right for them), and the difference in all three is unbelievable. Alongside the medication, parents and staff can now start to work with these children to help them learn different responses to emotions or thoughts and they will learn strategies that help them to control their impulsive behaviours. This will not happen overnight, and it will be hard work for everyone involved, but these children have all been given a chance.
I know that services are over-stretched, and I know everyone is working at full capacity, but it makes me sad that we have children in our schools who are struggling because they are having to wait on a very long list. You will have children who have undiagnosed ADHD in your classes – think about ways to help them and think about the words you say to them because it will matter to them. Try to find the positives every day in every child.
Reach Behaviour 