ADHD A guide for UK teachers www.livingwithadhd.co.uk ADHD A guide for UK teachers Contents Introduction – teachers and ADHD Background to ADHD What is ADHD? Subtypes How common is ADHD? What causes ADHD? The role of the genes The role of other factors Brain processes Other problems Identification and diagnosis: the teacher’s role The referral process The specialist team Treatment: advice and support Treatment options Help with other problems Medication Main agents The development of long-acting medicines Treatment expectations Length of treatment Dietary approaches Treatment recommendations Practical tips for teachers Other useful information References Notes 4 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 10 10 11 12 12 12 14 14 14 15 15 17 18 19 21 22 23 3 Introduction Teachers and ADHD Knowingly or not, you’ve probably already taught a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The condition affects an estimated 5% of children1,4 – one or more in every class of 30 on average. While there is concern in some countries (especially the US) that ADHD is over-diagnosed and over-treated, it remains the case that in the UK some children with ADHD still go unrecognised and untreated.2 ADHD causes significant disruption to children’s lives (and to the lives of those around them) both at home and at school. It leads to underachievement at school, and can result in anti-social behaviour, delinquency and drug abuse in later life.3 ADHD is a valid clinical condition, with clear diagnostic criteria, an increasingly well-understood biological basis, and effective treatments supported by both NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence)4 and SIGN (The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network).2 This document is designed to provide summary and guidance in relation to ADHD, specifically tailored to the needs of teachers. Separate but complementary versions are available for primary care workers and parents/carers. All three versions are grounded in the European Guidelines for Hyperkinetic Disorder,1 which have recently been updated by a group of expert researchers and clinicians working in different countries across Western Europe. Recognising that practice varies between countries, these European guidelines are not prescriptive but consist of a series of statements of evidence based or consensus-driven general principles rather than detailed protocols. On some points of detail (for example certain medications and the significance of food additives) this document reflects current UK perspectives rather than the European guidelines. www.livingwithadhd.co.uk While most specific treatments for ADHD will be given in secondary care, children with ADHD have behaviour problems that, by definition, affect both the home and the school, and the teacher has a number of important roles to play: • A teacher may be the first person to express concern about a child’s behaviour and suggest seeking medical help or advice. • Specialists investigating possible cases of ADHD often want to find out as much as possible about how the child behaves and performs at school. • T eachers sometimes play an important role in treatment, working with psychologists and other specialists to develop approaches to the organisation of learning and classroom management that will help children improve their behaviour. The aim of this guide is to provide you with the sort of information you will find useful as teachers, as well as some idea of what will happen once the child moves to specialist care. First, we provide some background to the condition. This is followed by a discussion of the whole process of diagnosis and treatment, with a special focus on the role of the teacher. We recognise that training for teachers in this area is limited, and this guide is a small contribution towards improving the situation. We hope that the information about ADHD contained in this guide will help teachers to contribute towards improved management of this common, damaging and often misunderstood condition. Dr David Coghill University of Dundee Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke University of Southampton 5 Background to ADHD • • • • ADHD is a clearly defined clinical condition. ADHD is common. ADHD tends to run in families, but probably results from a combination of factors. Children with ADHD often have other problems. What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a clearly defined clinical condition and not just a label for naughty or badly brought-up children. ADHD is diagnosed when a child exhibits abnormally high levels of: • Inattention5 (short attention span, easily distracted, doesn’t finish things, disorganised, forgetful etc) and/or • H yperactivity and impulsiveness5 (fidgets, can’t sit still, always on the go, talks too much, interrupts, can’t wait their turn etc). www.livingwithadhd.co.uk To qualify as true ADHD, these problems:5 • Must be long-term (present for at least 6 months). •Must be abnormal for the age and stage of development of the child (what’s normal in a 2-yearold is not normal in a 10-year-old). •Must have been present before the age of 7.5 Symptoms are nearly always seen before the age of 5 years.1 ADHD is a developmental disorder, and doesn’t appear suddenly. •Must be genuinely disruptive to the child’s everyday performance and wellbeing5 – mere naughtiness at home or not doing well at school is not enough. •Must occur in more than one place,5 for example both at home and at school. Problems that are present just at home or just at school, are likely to have other causes. Subtypes What causes ADHD? Not all children with ADHD are hyperactive. Some children only have problems with inattention and some (actually very few) only have problems with hyperactivity and impulsiveness, but many have a combination of both types of problem.5 The exact causative mechanisms of ADHD are not known, but evidence from several sources points to the importance of biological factors. The term “Hyperkinetic Disorder” is also sometimes used to describe those children with the most severe ADHD, where the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity and impulsivity are seriously disrupting the lives of children at home, at school and in the community.1 There is not just one single cause: ADHD is almost certainly the result of a combination of factors, and this combination will vary from child to child. How common is ADHD? Sex Differences ADHD is more common in boys than in girls, with a ratio of approximately 4 boys to 1 girl.4 Practical Point: ADHD affects 5% of school-age ch ildren. 1,4 This means that the average UK cl as will include at le sroom ast one child wit h A D HD. The more seriou s cases that qual ify as hyperkinetic diso rder affect abou t 1.5% of primar y scho ol children. 1,4 In the UK, not al l of these childre n will have been investigat ed and diagnose d. 7 Background to ADHD The role of genes Brain processes • S tudies of twins suggest that 65%-90% of the risk of having ADHD is associated with a person’s genes.1 This means that ADHD is often inherited and tends to run in families. Brain scan studies have found subtle but distinct differences between the brains of people with and without ADHD,1 in their structure, the way in which they develop and the ways that they work. • Specific genes have been linked to ADHD. People with these genes don’t all have ADHD, but they are more likely to have it than people without these genes. Many of these genes have to do with action of the neurotransmitters* dopamine and noradrenaline. The main medical treatments for ADHD boost the function of dopamine and noradrenaline.1 Other problems The role of other factors •Anxiety and depression. Children with ADHD often have low self-esteem or feel insecure because of failures at school or in making friends. Some factors in the child’s development may increase the chances of having ADHD, but are not the whole cause of the problem. These include:1 Unfortunately, children with ADHD often have other problems too. These might include:1 •Conduct disorder (persistent lying, stealing, truancy, vandalism etc) and oppositional defiant disorder (persistent and abnormally uncooperative and defiant behaviour). •Problems with language, reading and writing. •Difficult or complicated labour. •Clumsiness. •Low birth weight. •Tic disorders. •Mother using benzodiazepines,† smoking or drinking excessive alcohol during pregnancy. There is also a link between ADHD in children and delinquency and academic underachievement in adolescents and young adults.3,4 •Brain diseases and injuries. * Neurotransmitters are substances that transmit nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another. † Tranquillizers such as diazepam and temazepam. www.livingwithadhd.co.uk 9 Identification and diagnosis: The teacher’s role • Who does what and when? • The role of teachers. The referral process ADHD is diagnosed by specialists. However, different professions play a key role in the referral to specialist services. The doctor may ask the parent and/or child to fill in a short questionnaire to give a clearer picture of the child’s problems. The GP also plays a key role in the referral process. If they suspect ADHD, the GP might ask about: •The child’s behaviour (is (s)he easily distracted, does (s)he finish things (s)he started, does (s)he fidget a lot, can (s)he wait her/his turn etc). • How long the problems have lasted. • When the problems started. •How the child’s behaviour is affecting life at home and at school. To check for other causes of the problem, the consultation could also include a physical examination, a test of hearing and questions about how much sleep the child is getting. www.livingwithadhd.co.uk t Practical poin HD as it often rst to spot AD fi e th e b ay he first Teachers m ool success. T h sc to r e ri ar the represents a b m teachers is o o sr as cl r fo al NCO) point of referr ordinator (SE o C s d e e N al tion there are Special Educa in areas where t n e al iv u q e utside (or nearest n refer on to o e th n ca o h w rtant to no SENCOs), arly it is impo le C . e at ri p ro . p an early stage agencies if ap at rs re ca r o ts en involve the par The specialist team The medical specialists who work in ADHD are child psychiatrists and paediatricians. They work in a team with other health professionals such as specialist nurses and psychologists. At the first appointment, the specialist may not start a full assessment. In some cases, they may judge that some advice and support may be enough to improve things. If this doesn’t work, then a full assessment will be needed. – What he thinks about his problems and how he copes. The specialist team may ask you for this information on the phone, in a written report, or in a questionnaire. As part of the assessment, the parents and the child may be asked to complete questionnaires to get a fuller picture of the symptoms. A full assessment will probably be spread over more than one appointment and involve more than one member of the specialist team. Practical poin A full assessment should usually include: Contact with • A physical examination, vision and hearing check. •An interview with the parents covering the child’s symptoms and medical history. • An interview with the child, covering: – H ow he gets on in the family, at school and with friends. – Whether he seems depressed or anxious. t the school or pre-school Knowledge ab out how the ch ild behaves an away from hom d performs e is crucial to th e diagnosis of With the perm ADHD. ission of the p arents, the spec may contact th ialist team e school (or pre -school) to ask • Behaviour an about: d behavioural problems. • The child’s le vel of develop ment. • Social funct ioning. • Symptoms of other possib le disorders. • Relationship with the teach er. • How the teac her manages th e child’s proble ms. 11 Treatment: Advice and support Advice, information and support for children, parents and teachers is an important part of ADHD treatment. As a minimum, the specialist team should develop an understanding of the child’s problem and offer advice, support and lots of information about ADHD to the child, the parents and the teachers. advice, support and behavioural programme is the best way to manage the full range of problems experienced by those with ADHD.2 However, the extent to which this is possible will vary from region to region based on local resources and expertise. Treatment options All these approaches work in many cases. None of them work in every case. If one approach doesn’t work, the specialist is likely to try another. Other treatments depend on the individual case. Treatment is likely to include:2,4 • A structured advice, support and behavioural programme for parents and/or the child and/ or teachers including specific training on the management of the child’s behaviour. • Medication. Medication should only be prescribed following assessment by a specialist in ADHD. If symptoms are mild or temporary, medication may not be needed at all. In many cases it is recommended that a combination of both medication and a structured www.livingwithadhd.co.uk Some children may also be able to work one-to-one with a therapist, to develop techniques for monitoring their own behaviour and controlling it better. Help with other problems ADHD seldom occurs without other problems, and specific help may be offered for these: • T raining in social skills to help children make and keep relationships and avoid aggressive behaviour. • Counselling to improve self-esteem. • Remedial teaching. Practical poin Structured a d t vice, support and behavio ural program ADHD isn’t ca mes used by bad p arents or bad research has te ac shown that st hers, but ructured prog and support fo rammes of ad r parents and vice teachers can behaviour an improve the ch d concentratio ild’s n. Psychologists work with par ents and teac in groups. The hers individual y help them to ly or : •Consider cl assroom stru cture and task having the ch demands (e.g ild seated clo . se to the teac assignments, her, brief acad interspersing emic classroom lect periods of exe ures with brie rcise). f •Focus on p articular prob le m times or situat mealtimes, ge ions (e.g. tting ready fo r school, start and track the o f the lesson) child’s behavio ur over time. •Work out in advance what to do when a well or badly – child behaves then do it con sistently. •Develop te chniques for getting a child contact, one to listen (e.g. thing at a tim eye e, what to do not to do). rather than w hat • Use token systems and co ntracts. • Use ‘time o ut’ as a sanctio n. 13 Medication • What specialists prescribe. • What side-effects to look out for. • Guidance on the question of drug abuse. Main agents The medicines licensed in the UK for ADHD are:3 Atomoxetine is also taken once or twice daily.8 While these drugs frequently provide effective treatment they also have side-effects. • Methylphenidate • Dexamfetamine • Atomoxetine Methylphenidate and dexamfetamine belong to the same class of medicines, called stimulants.1 Atomoxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor.3 The development of long-acting medicines The effect of methylphenidate lasts only for a few hours, so more than once daily dosing is recommended.1 Three longer acting once-daily preparations of methylphenidate lasting for between 8 and 12 hours (equivalent to methylphenidate two or three times daily)6,7,9 are currently available in the UK. www.livingwithadhd.co.uk Practical point For the child, long-acting medications may avoid embarrassment and increase privacy at school, and may make it more likely that they will take the medicine as prescribed. For the school, not having to dispense a medication is a great adv antage.1 However, once-daily dosing may redu ce dose flexibility and tailoring at different time s of the day. Note – There is no standard dose of thes e medicines – the best dose varies from child to child. Normally the specialist will start with a low dose and gradually increase it, looking for the best balance between effectiveness and side -effects. At this stage, parents and teachers may be asked to monitor the child’s behaviour quite intensively using standard questionnaires. Treatment expectations Length of treatment It is important to understand the potential benefits and limitations of medical treatment for ADHD. How long will the child need medication for ADHD? •Treatment can greatly improve the symptoms of the child’s ADHD, but cannot cure it completely. •The child’s doctor will be able to discuss the best treatment based on their individual needs. This is not fixed in advance. It may need to continue for years, and some adults are helped by medication1 (although these medications are not licensed for use in adults). Medication should be stopped periodically (for example, once a year) to see how the child gets on without it. Side effects that may occur with medication for ADHD include disturbed sleep, less appetite, stomach upset and headache, although other may also occur. For a full list of possible side effects please speak to a health professional. It may take some time to find the best dose of drug treatment to use for the child. The specialist may prescribe a low dose to begin with, then increase it, aiming to achieve symptom relief while minimising. During the early stages of treatment, you may be asked to help monitor the child’s symptoms using forms provided to you, and to look out for side effects. 15 Medication Does the use of methylphenidate and dexamfetamine in childhood increase the chances that a child will become addicted to similar drugs, or other drugs, in later life? This question naturally worries many parents, teachers and health professionals. More research needs to be done here before we can answer this with certainty. However we know that having ADHD increases1 the risk of substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) in later life. Overall, the studies that have been done suggest that stimulants do more good than harm in this area. In young people with ADHD treated with stimulants, the risk of substance abuse is almost halved compared with those not treated with stimulants.1 As always, if you have any concerns about a child’s health or medication, you should consult a specialist or general practitioner. Practical point Stimulants and Drug abuse In the UK, methylphenidate and dexamf etamine are controlled drugs. Taken by mouth , methylphenidate is no good as a recreati onal drug, but there are some cases of it bein g diverted for illicit use by intravenous inje ction.1 Once-daily formulations mean that chil dren do not have to bring medications to sch ool. The once-daily preparations are much more difficult to grind up or snort.10 www.livingwithadhd.co.uk Dietary approaches Parents often feel that diet plays a role in their child’s ADHD. The possible role of foods or additives (such as sugar, artificial colourings and preservatives) in causing behavioural disorders in children, particularly ADHD, has been a controversial subject.2 Published evidence suggests that while particular foods or additives don’t cause ADHD in most cases, in some cases ADHD patients have specific reactions to particular foods that can play a role for them. Furthermore a recent carefully designed trial showed that a combination of artificial colourings and preservatives significantly increased levels of ADHD symptoms in the general population.11 The role of omega-3 fatty acids (important for brain development and function) in improving the symptoms of ADHD has been investigated in recent years. Dietary supplementation with fish oils (providing EPA and DHA) appears to alleviate ADHD-related symptoms at least in some children.12 A food diary is one way of trying to find out whether there is any link between behaviour and food in an individual child.1 Elimination diets (i.e. avoiding specific foods) are sometimes recommended by specialists, although these may turn out to be effective for a minority of children only.1 17 t n e m t a e r T * s n o i t a d n Recomme h g people wit n and youn re ve ild si h n c e r h fo re t en mp Drug treatm lways form part of a co ioural r a o ld gical, behav ts u n lo o o re h a sh c p D r sy H e p D ff s o A e d ld lu u c o ls sh to a lan that in entions. professiona n with ADHD a referral treatment p e and interv c Healthcare vi e re d a lin ild l ta h c rs n l fi o o ti e hildren as th -scho and educa de to treat c hcare programme carers of pre a n y m io d n a at e e c e lr u b a d s t o alt ing/e ision ha arers have n h drugs, he parent-train When a dec h ADHD wit parents or c mme has it e ra w g th le ro if p p t o n e e e p th treatm mme or or young ld consider: ch a progra ionals shou ss attended su fe gnificant ro p D without si effect. H D d D e H A it D r A lim fo t u a te o d ab ha henida ed training •methylp have receiv havioural e o b h w e ity duct d rs id vi e rb h ro o c p Tea com morbid con nd should o a c t n n h e re it m w ild e h D g c H a elp r AD and its man ssroom to h henidate fo •methylp ns in the cla o ti n e rv te in D. disorder te le with ADH hen tics, has modera moxetine w young peop D to t H a D r A o h te it a w on er, stimulan be henid r young pers •methylp nxiety disord arers should a c t , r n e o se m ts re ro n p d e n ar If the child o tte’s sy t, the p cation rsion are n u e re e d u iv d /e To rm t g ai n in p la n u im ai levels of sk of stim up parent-tr ied and a group misuse or ri rral to a gro has been tr gether with te to a r id o n n e w offered refe h y o p p s yl rated dose, ioural thera , either on it tine if meth aximum tole m e programme ramme (cognitive behav ild or •atomoxe th t a t to low or ffective rog is intoleran g) for the ch as been ine n h o in n rs treatment p ai e p tr s g n ill or you r social sk nidate. or the child [CBT] and/o f methylphe o s se o . re d n ve o te h se modera young pers g people wit firstn and youn e re th ild s h a c d e re g In school-a ould be offe uptreatment sh ld also be offered a gro g ru d , D H D u A sho nt. Parents ramme. line treatme aining/education prog t-tr based paren * Taken from NICE Clinical Guideline 72. Diagnosis and management of ADHD in children, young people and adults. Sept 2008. Quick reference guide pp5-6 - Available at http://guidedance.nice.org.uk/CG72/QuickRefGuide/PDF/English. www.livingwithadhd.co.uk Practical point Tips for teachers Children with ADHD have difficulty with planning activities and doing them in the right order. It’s helpful to give an overvie Don’t take it personally. There is a med w ical of what you want them to ach ieve: “You’re reason for much of the child’s behavio ur. going to write a review of a book” The n A reason is not an excuse. ADHD is the break it into smaller steps: “First I’d like you reason for unacceptable behaviour, but to choose a book…” etc. A written che not cklist an excuse for it. With your help, children can be useful. Some children find it use ful with ADHD can learn to control their to say out loud what they are going to do behaviour better. next. Children with ADHD need practice in plan ning and sequencing activities. Keep in contact with the parents so that you know each other’s problems and Beware of changes to routine and share the same approach. changes of activity. Children with ADHD may find these particularly unsettling. Explain Sit the child close to you. Ideally put them in advance wha t’s going to happen if it’s between two calm and well-behaved pup ils, different to what they expect. and away from doors, windows and oth er potential distractions. Improve their self-esteem by praising them in public for good behaviour and Provide legitimate opportunities to be repr ima nding them quietly, one-to-one. physically active. Let them be the one to go and fetch something or wipe the boa Teasing and bullying by other pupils may rd. be a problem, inside and outside the classroo Try to find them a way to allow them m. to Setting children with ADHD up with an fidget, without driving you and everyon olde r e “buddy” who can help to keep them out else crazy. Squeeze balls are at least quie of t. trouble may be helpful in some cases. 19 www.livingwithadhd.co.uk Other useful information Support Group This group provides advice, information and support to individuals and families, and also promote better awareness of ADHD. ADDISS - ADHD Information Services 2nd Floor, Premier House 112 Station Road Edgware, HA8 7BJ Phone: 020 8952 2800 www.addiss.co.uk [email protected] Other resources Website www.livingwithadhd.co.uk www.mentalhealth.org.uk www.chadd.org www.adders.org www.teachernet.gov.uk Book Fintan O’Regan. How to teach and manage children with ADHD. (2002) LDA, Wisbech. 21 References 1.Taylor E, et al. European clinical guidelines for hyperkinetic disorder – first upgrade. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2004; 13(Suppl 1): 7-30. 2.Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Attention deficit and hyperkinetic disorders in children and young people. October 2009. www.sign.ac.uk. 3.NICE. Methylphenidate, atomoxetine and dexamfetamine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. March 2006. www.nice.org.uk. 4.NICE. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Diagnosis and management of ADHD in children, young people and adults. March 2009. www.nice.org.uk. 5.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. American Psychiatric Association, 2000. 6.Concerta® XL. Summary of Product Characteristics. Janssen-Cilag Ltd. November 2009. www.emc.medicines.org.uk. 7.Equasym XL™. Summary of Product Characteristics. Shire Pharmaceuticals Ltd. June 2009. www.emc.medicines.org.uk. 8.Strattera®. Summary of Product Characteristics. Lilly. May 2009. www.emc.medicines.org.uk. 9.Medikinet®. Summary of Product Characteristics. Flynn pharma. Feb 2007. www.emc.medicines.org.uk. 10. A ACAP. Practice parameter for the use of stimulant medications in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002; 41(2 Suppl): 26S-49S. 11. M cCann, D et al. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2007; 370; 9598: 1560-1567. 12. R ichardson AJ. Omega-3 fatty acids in ADHD and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Int Rev Psychiatry 2006; 18(2): 155-172. www.livingwithadhd.co.uk Notes 23 Provided as a service to medicine by Item number: CON/10-0117-615519 Date of preparation: July 2013
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