ADHD and school

Within the school environment, teachers are well placed to identify children who exhibit ADHD symptoms. Universal school-based screening for ADHD is, however, not recommended. Teachers’ ratings of children’s behaviour at age 5 have been found to predict later academic outcomes. Longitudinal research suggests that inattention is substantively and significantly associated with poor academic outcomes whereas hyperactivity is not significantly related to later academic attainment, and impulsivity might be advantageous. Symptoms of inattention remain largely stable over time but symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity change. Whilst the school environment can present significant challenges for children with ADHD, advice and guidance to teachers about how to help children with inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive behaviour to succeed in the classroom can facilitate more positive behavioural and academic outcomes. There is a need for research that assesses long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of school-based interventions as well as the impact of transition into secondary schooling.