ABSTRACT
Effective and proactive relationships between parents and schools will usually be vital in achieving successful outcomes for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Parents might initially feel defensive when offered the opportunity to attend a parenting programme. They may feel it represents a criticism of their own efforts and judges them as ‘failing’ parents. Most programmes combine offering practical behaviour management strategies and psycho-educational training to help parents understand their child’s needs more effectively. Parents can share concerns and frustrations in a sympathetic environment, support each other emotionally and pick up useful ideas and strategies which have been tried and tested by other families. Parents should be encouraged to help other members of the family to recognise and understand the youngster’s differences. Schools should also be aware of some of the possible effects on children of having a sibling with ADHD, and work with parents to minimise any negative impact.
