|
Free Fact Sheet for parents whose children have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Between 3% and 7% of local school children could have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to one of the UK’s foremost authorities on dyslexia.
Dr Peter Gardner, co-founder of Appleford School (a specialist school for children with dyslexia and related learning problems), says the condition may be more prevalent than first thought.
He has produced a free Fact Sheet for parents who think their child may have the condition.
ADHD refers to children, young people and adults whose behaviour appears impulsive, overactive and/or inattentive to an extent that is unwarranted for their developmental age and is a significant hindrance to their educational and social success.
Dr Gardner adds: “Most young children are at times impulsive, inattentive and overactive. ADHD defines a type of behaviour which is at the extreme end of the normal range of behaviour.
“Children with ADHD can be difficult to live with and difficult to manage in school. Most parents of an ADHD child recognise from an early age that their child is different but are often at a loss as to how to deal with such a child.
“It creates a lot of stress for parents. Some lose confidence in their parenting abilities; others become over-critical. Sometimes in such situations the behaviour of ADHD children worsens so that they can also show signs of an oppositional defiant disorder.
“In school the hyperactive-impulsive behaviours can result in the child’s settling slowly to work, fidgeting, rushing through work, calling out in class and failing to check work before it is handed in. The attention deficit problems affect organisational skills, listening skills, distractibility and short term memory.
“ADHD is often present together with other disorders such as specific learning difficulties/dyslexia, thus compounding the child’s problems,” he adds.
The free Fact Sheet is available by writing to: “ADHD Fact Sheet”, Appleford School, Shrewton, Nr Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 4HL. T: 01980 621020 E: secretary@appleford.wilts.sch.uk.
Further information is on the Appleford School website at: www.appleford.wilts.sch.uk To arrange an interview with Dr Peter Gardner, about the "Dyslexia in Girls” factsheet, please call him on 01275 472598.
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS:
Dr. Peter Gardner
B.A., DipPsych., M.A., Ed.D., A.F.B.Ps.S., M.I.Mgt., F.Inst.D.
Chartered Psychologist
Peter gained an Honours Degree in Psychology from Nottingham University, a post graduate diploma in Academic Psychology from University College London, a Master of Arts Degree in Therapy and Counselling from Antioch College, U.S.A. (London Branch) and a doctorate from the University of Bristol.
He has been a lecturer in a number of universities and was a tutor at the Child Guidance Training Centre, London, responsible for post-graduate training of educational psychologists on a British Psychological Society – and Department of Education and Skills – accredited course.
He is a Chartered Educational Psychologist, a Chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Chartered Counselling Psychologist of the British Psychological Society. He is a Full Practitioner Member of the British Psychological Society Division of Neuropsychology. He is a registered Psychotherapist (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and was a committee member of the Psychology and Psychotherapy Association.
Much of his work is legal work, including the preparation of detailed court reports and submission of oral evidence, working for Crown Courts, Magistrates Courts and Guardian ad litem panels. He acted as an expert witness in the precedent-setting Phelps v London Borough of Hillingdon education negligence case in the High Court in July 1997 and was described by Mr. Justice Garland as “particularly well qualified, careful and fair.” His legal work is split roughly 50:50 between Claimant and Defendant work.
He is a co-founder of both Appleford School and of Daneswood, Shipham, near Cheddar, a care home for young adults with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, which is registered with and approved by CSCi.
|
|
|
|
