ADHD 'could be more common' than thought

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could be more prevalent than first thought, it has been suggested.

Expert Dr Peter Gardner has suggested that between three and seven per cent of schoolchildren could suffer from the condition, which could potentially lead to the need for more SENCOs in classrooms in the future.

Special needs staff are often required to help deal with pupils who have ADHD, who display behaviour that can appear to be impulsive, overactive and inattentive.

Dr Gardner, who is the co-founder of Appleford School - which specialises in providing education to pupils with dyslexia and related learning problems - noted that children with this condition can be "difficult to manage in school".

"In school the hyperactive-impulsive behaviours can result in the child settling slowly to work, fidgeting, rushing through work, calling out in class and failing to check work before it is handed in," he added.

Last year one of the founders of ADHD charity Misunderstood, Jacqui George, noted that it is vital that children who suffer from the condition are given support by their school.

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