ADHD Causing Expulsion, Divorce and Low Self-Esteem

Condition is real and needs to be addressed says charity

A new survey into the effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) paints a distressing picture of misunderstood children and parents at breaking point. Over a third of parents of children with ADHD have seen their child excluded from school, and in 1 in 10 cases the expulsion was permanent, according to a survey by The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADDISS)

Attention Deficit Disorder is a chronic medical condition that affects the part of the brain that deals with attention, impulses and concentration. It is a neurobiological condition thought to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals affecting specific parts of the brain and is known to have a strong genetic basis.

It is estimated that between 3% and 7% of school age children in the UK have ADHD. It was thought that children ‘grew out’ of the condition by the time they reached adolescence; however, it is now suggested that for up to half of children with ADHD, symptoms continue into adulthood.

Children are not being catered for adequately in school according to parents. Almost two thirds of parents said their child’s ability to achieve at school was ‘very affected’ by their ADHD and 67% felt they miss out on positive learning experiences. A staggering 80% felt that their child with ADHD had low self-esteem compared to other children according to the survey of 500 parents of children with ADHD

The condition is having a devastating effect on family home life. Nearly two thirds of parents questioned had divorced, separated or experienced marital distress and nearly half had received treatment for depression as a result of their child’s ADHD. It also makes normal family life difficult. Over half of parents revealed it impacted on the family’s ability to go on holiday, 76% on their ability to visit friends and 82% on their ability to go shopping.

Early identification of ADHD is critical and those parents that have sought help for their children have reaped the benefits. 80% of parents felt their child’s relationships with other children have improved as a result of receiving treatment and 9 out of 10 felt their performance at school has improved.

For more information visit The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service website at www.addiss.co.uk

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