ABSTRACT
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common and most debilitating disorders amongst school-age children, yet it is probably one of the least well understood. It has received a lot of attention recently, mainly because of the large numbers of children, particularly in the USA, receiving drug treatment for the disorder. Where children have behavioural difficulties and parents are finding it difficult to cope, it is likely that they will turn to teachers for advice and help. ADHD can significantly affect children’s progress at school, not only their work, but also their social development and the relationships that they have with teachers and their peers. If not detected early, long-term problems can lead to poor educational achievement and social isolation. For these reasons, it is vital that teachers know about the disorder and are able to offer appropriate support to children in their classes and advice to parents, as well as helping them access other sources of information and guidance.
