Essentially, ADHD is dysregulation created by neurological differences. It can result in hyperactivity (the naughty boy falling out of his seat), but can equally be present in the quiet girl who seems focused but then does not understand what she has learnt. The shift between hyperactivity and inactivity, as well as between hyperfocus and inattention, represents the dysregulation observed in ADHD students, which makes working with them particularly challenging.

 

As teachers, we are faced with the fact that the ADHD student’s behaviour is not determined by choice but by physical differences in the brain. In the Cambridge study of 2013, Professor Trevor Robbins identified this as the main cause of ADHD.

 

To work better with ADHD learners, we must first come to terms with the fact that their behaviours may not be driven by choice but by physical differences. Telling an ADHD learner to “focus better” is as pointless as telling them to change their eye colour. What we need to do instead is understand the difference, allowing us to work with it. This is the purpose of Jackdawrooks.