Improving Educational Outcomes for Students with ADHD

ADHD causes serious and ongoing challenges for children at school. They struggle to pay attention which affects their ability to learn. They also experience great difficulties with organisation and time management. Social interactions can also be problematic. To further complicate matters, most children with ADHD will have at least one co-existing condition, such as anxiety, depression, a learning difficulty or a behavioural disorder. As a result, children with ADHD face academic underachievement. This seminar will present the research on educational outcomes for ADHD, and outline how schools and parents can work to improve them.

Professor David Lawrence, UWA:

Young Minds Matter, the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, examined academic trajectories for students with ADHD. The survey results showed the impact on learning trajectories for students with ADHD, and identified factors associated with better or poorer outcomes. Students receiving support services either through school or the health system did better, but the gaps do not fully close.

David Lawrence is Principal Research Fellow in the Graduate School of Education, The University of Western Australia. He is a statistician, survey methodologist and social researcher, working in the area of child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing. He currently leads Young Minds Matter: The Second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Over 6,0000 families from across Australia participated in the study, which was designed to provide up to date information on how many children and adolescents have what types of mental health problems and disorders, how these disorders impact them and their families, and the use of and need for services in the health and education sectors.

Ms Chantalle Chapman, School Psychologist:

What "help" can primary and secondary schools provide to ADHD students so that they reach their academic, emotional, social and moral potential? Chantalle will outline some of the strategies and resources that schools can provide to these potentially vulnerable young people. A case study will be presented showing how a student can be supported from identification through to ongoing management and on to graduation.

Chantalle is a Psychologist with a post-graduate qualification in Education. She has nearly 20 years experience working in primary and secondary schools. Although she currently works with adolescents in a Catholic setting, Chantalle has previously provided psychology consultation to government, Christian, Steiner, Islamic and Montessori schools. Chantalle spent seven years working in Sydney where she held the position of Head of Counselling Services at Kincoppal-Rose Bay - a P to 12 school. She concurrently convened professional development for Psychologists and Social Workers in independent schools in New South Wales. Currently the Psychologist at Iona Presentation College, Chantalle works as part of the Learning Enhancement Team at the College who identify, assess and manage students with learning and attentional disorders.

Ms Elena Trethowan, Provisional Psychologist:

Parents of children with ADHD are often required to act as their child’s primary advocate. However, advocating for your child in the school system can often feel overwhelming, with many different factors and opinions to consider. This talk explores different approaches parents can take to ‘build a village’ for their child and themselves through the school years, including; creating supportive relationships with teachers and the school, identifying and communicating your child’s specific learning needs, creating a ‘soft place to land’ at home and building connection and support networks for ourselves.

Elena was born and raised in Perth. She has an academic background in creative arts, medical science and psychology and a professional background in laboratory medicine, family support and counselling. Elena has been an active volunteer with ADHD WA for the past four years, manning the helpline, providing ADHD advocacy and facilitating parenting workshops for parents of children with ADHD. Elena is herself parent to a child with ADHD and is passionate about improving education around ADHD and services for people with ADHD and their families in WA.