This is a presentation on ADHD aimed at educating pre service teachers in primary schools about this common condition.

1. The Facts. Straight forward. Here and now. A presentation by Lou, Sean, Brendan, Laurenne and Jana…

4. Lets learn a little bit about what ADHD is and how it was discovered…

6. The prevalence of ADHD in young children is not known with great accuracy. According to the Howard Florey Institute (Australia’s Brain Research Institute), is it estimated that… *Between 3% - 5% of Australian Primary school children are affected with ADHD. *Australia has about 50 000 children taking medication for ADHD (the third highest consumer in the world after the US & Canada). http://www.florey.edu.au/the-brain/brain-disorders/adhd/ According to a 2002 ABS report, *When considering the prevalence of ADHD in terms of the difference in the sexes; more boys (13%) had this condition than girls (3%) *While ADHD only represents a small number of children, it is a condition which has been diagnosed more frequently during the last decade. http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192 af2/b96334a918f68329ca256b35001586da!OpenDocument

8. Being out of seat too frequently Not following instructions Calling out Being aggressive Short attention span Disruptive & distractive behaviours Day dreaming/ Disengagement Losing & forgetting equipment Handing in homework late/incomplete

9. Securing the child’s attention before giving directions Checking to ensure understanding Assigning preferential seating Reducing classroom distractions Providing peer- tutoring

10. Shortening activities/tasks and providing breaks Making activities/tasks more interesting and stimulating Providing reasonable choices Providing computer-assisted instruction Capitalising on strengths and avoiding weaknesses

12. http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/Pharmaceutical/adhd/links.asp - NSW Gov. website that offers information on ADHD and an extensive list of links (Nationally & Globally) http://www.healthyplace.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=78&catid=8 – provides a range of great videos based on ADHD. http://orsaminore.dreamhosters.com/handy/links/uk_various.html#adh – an extensive links page to other websites (global) with information on ADHD. http://www.adhdnews.com/ - provides detailed information about ADHD medication and other aspects of ADHD. http://www.addact.org.au/ - great “information handouts” on practical ways teachers can manage ADHD children in the classroom.