More than medical answers

1. What educational research tells us about ADHD Brenton Prosser PhD School of Education More than medical answers

2. More than medical answers Introduction • About ADHD • ADHD Research Background • ADHD Research (Prosser) • Other Educational Research • Final Remarks • Discussion

3. More than medical answers About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD is the most diagnosed childhood disorder in Northern America and Australasia Defined by a physical difference that causes hyperactivity, impulsivity and/or inattention ADHD is diagnosed when these behaviours impair in home, school and work settings ADHD has moved beyond a diagnostic category and into popular culture ADHD vs ADD Medicine cannot answer all the questions about ADHD Educators are needed in the ADHD debate

4. More than medical answers ADHD Research Background ADHD is a physiological, genetic, condition (Barkley 1998) The ADD Brain (Zametkin 1990, MTA 1999) ADHD is the product of pressures on youth, parents and doctors (Diller 1998) Once medical technology for control exists, a social label emerges (Conrad 1976) USA has neglected social change, ADHD alienates educators (Ideus 1994) Need more sociological research to understand ADHD (Reid & Maag 1994) Educators are the major factor in student success (Reid & Prosser 1998)

5. More than medical answers ADHD Policy Research (Prosser & Reid 2002) Examine US and Australian context In Australia, ADHD falling through state and federal policy gaps Pressure to make ADHD a disability category No funding support for ADHD Policy may be encouraging medical responses How do we close the gap between policy and practice?

6. More than medical answers ADHD Medication Research (Prosser & Reid 2009) Looked at SAHC data 1990-2006 Look at new prescriptions (age, gender), duration, location New numbers vary, total numbers approx 3% Sharp up 1990-1995, decline 1996-2000, up 2000-2004, decline 2005-2006 - WHY? Starting age decline – fall from 9.35yrs to 8.84yrs – WHY? Duration shorten – from 2.5yrs to 2.0yrs – WHY? More likely in low SES – WHY?

7. More than medical answers Life with ADHD (Prosser 2006) Label has more stigma for adults Medication enables making choices The media is not helping I only have 'mild ADHD' School is the major place for problems

8. More than medical answers What Students say about ADHD (Prosser 2006) 'I want to do well at school' Teacher response is central The behaviour is the problem, not the label Remedial strategies can make things worse 'Medication helps me to choose at school' 'I get school work, but school does not get how I work'

9. More than medical answers Diagnostic Criteria Often talks excessively Often fidgets or squirms in seat Often does not follow through on instructions Often fails to finish school work Often blurts out answers Often is reluctant to engage in tasks with sustained mental effort Traditional Pedagogy (Prosser 2008) Sit still silently, listen attentively Learn from talk not action Follow detailed instructions systematically Maintain close attention to detail in work Wait patiently for teacher assistance Be motivated in challenging learning tasks

10. More than medical answers Findings of the pilot study Case Study 1 Year 8 Society & Environment class Redesigned curriculum content to connect with students lives and local histories A change in pedagogy was not attempted Student-centred curriculum project resulted in some engagement Engagement reduced behavioural issues Relationships and specific interactions made some difference Overall change not deemed to be significant

11. More than medical answers Findings of the pilot study Case Study 2 Year 9 Humanities & Social Science class Redesigned curriculum content to connect with students lives and community issues A change in pedagogy was attempted to focus on student-as-researchers Community issue-centred project resulted in engagement Engagement reduced behavioural issues Combined change resulted in greater work output and skill development New perspectives developed on student ability

12. More than medical answers Emerging Educational Research on ADHD Education is being welded on to the economy (Smyth, 2000) Our expectations on youth are competitive and converging (Carrington, 2006) The offline ways of schools increasingly clashes with the online world of our students

13. More than medical answers The online world... Your child is developing well… …would you like to send him an email? Cartoon

14. More than medical answers Emerging Educational Research on ADHD Education is being welded on to the economy (Smyth, 2000) Our expectations on youth are competitive and converging (Carrington, 2006) The offline ways of schools increasingly clashes with the online world of our students Youth cannot afford to be different – 'disorder is better than deviance' Behaviour management is becoming the feature of school relationships (Adams, 2006) A lack of room for diversity is hidden by a focus on individual behaviour (Slee, 2006)

15. More than medical answers Teaching & ADHD (Graham 2010) A History of ADHD ADHD and parenting ADHD and disadvantage The politics of ADHD ADHD and School Discipline ADHD and Pedagogy (Prosser) Education research leading the way

16. More than medical answers Final Remarks ADHD may be the tip of the iceberg There is more to ADHD than just medication Educators are needed in the ADHD debate Changing pedagogy can make a difference Don't underestimate your impact

17. More than medical answers Discussion Dr Brenton Prosser Senior Research Fellow Email: Brenton.Prosser@unisa.edu.au About Brenton's work www.unisa.edu.au (search 'Brenton Prosser') ADHD: Who's failing who www.finch.com.au Connecting Lives & Learning www.wakefieldpress.com.au