A Royal College of Psychiatrists' conference, which starts today in Liverpool, will be presented with research by Dr Sheheryar Jovindah, a consultant in child and adolescent psychiatry at Mount Gould Hospital in Plymouth. Dr Jovindah surveyed 95 teachers from six Plymouth primary schools about their attitudes and perceptions of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children.
Only 35 per cent of the teachers responding said they had received any training in understanding and managing ADHD behaviour.
The survey found that a majority were unclear about both the origins of ADHD and the issues surrounding it.
Fewer than one in ten of the teachers knew that ADHD could have genetic origins.
More than 60 per cent of these teachers had limited understanding about common concerns about the disorder, including over-diagnosis and the use of stimulant medication to treat it. Most would have diffiulty in commenting on the debate over the possible benefits or drawbacks of treatment with stimulant medication.
The study also found that teachers who had received some form of training in managing and recognising ADHD behaviour were more likely to work in partnership with parents. Parent-teacher partnership was identified as a key part in effective treatment, with teachers playing 'a vital role in the process of diagnosis and management of ADHD'.
Dr Jovindah said it was crucial that teachers were provided with better training in understanding and managing ADHD behaviour in children.
