Disability Specific Adjustments: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder¹. According to ADHD Australia over 1 million people in Australia have ADHD¹. Research indicates that ADHD is likely to be caused by biological factors that influence chemical messages (neurotransmitters) in certain parts of the brain. Recent studies suggest that brain experiences a delay in maturation, and this impacts executive functioning (reasoning, good decision-making, short-term memory, attention span, listening and following instructions and impulse control). The symptoms of ADHD vary from person to person and management of symptoms can vary depending on age at diagnosis, types of interventions and co-morbidities².

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ADHD is classified as having three major subtypes: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, and combined inattentive/hyperactive-impulsive. Many people still use the term ‘ADD’ — attention deficit disorder — to describe the predominantly inattentive ADHD subtype.

Common symptoms people experience may include:

trouble with concentration or staying focused
hyper-focus
disorganisation and forgetfulness
impulsivity
emotional difficulties
hyperactivity or restlessness.

ADHD may also have additional conditions which may make ADHD more difficult to recognise or diagnose. These include mental health conditions such Anxiety or Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; other learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, sensory processing or executive function disorders, and seizure disorders. Treatment tends to be multi-modal and may include family support, educational support, medication, counselling/behavioural management, and/or occupational therapy².

Impact of ADHD

People with ADHD can be creative problem solvers, good public speakers, energetic and enthusiastic, have good conceptual skills and intuition, and also have difficulty paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours and maintaining focus on tasks. They may also:

be creative and resourceful
be flexible and take initiative
be a visual learner
be energetic and engaged
experience unpredictable mood swings
make careless mistakes due to inattention
appear not to listen to instructions or directions
experience difficulties prioritising tasks and activities
be easily distracted whilst on task
fail to complete tasks due to time management
overly focused on certain tasks
perfectionistic
fidget and appear restless
talk excessively and often quickly
interrupt others’ conversation or activities.

Adjustments need to be tailored to meet the individual's needs. Students with ADHD are not all alike: the nature of the student’s disability and its impact on learning will vary significantly. Students who have a recent diagnosis may need additional help in developing strategies for study. As a disability practitioner or educator your first step is to discuss with the student their specific needs.

Disability Practitioner Strategies

In addition to teaching and assessment strategies there are a range of services and equipment that are commonly facilitated by Disability Practitioners as reasonable adjustments for students with ADHD:

access to peer or professional note takers
provision of recorded lectures or transcription of lecture recordings
access to Assistive Technology for written assignments
access to Assistive Technology or a scribe in examinations
identifying challenges within the learning environment and addressing these with adjustments or modifications where possible
arranging a case management service to support engagement with study, planning and time management, and assess regular progress
the use of organisational apps to assist students to set up weekly and semester planners to assist with planning for assessment submission
informing academic staff of the student’s preferred method of communication
providing an individual examination room to minimise distractions
providing additional time within tests and examinations to assist focus and concentration
meeting with lecturing/tutoring staff before the course commences, in order to provide the student with clear and detailed information about the structure of the course, practical arrangements, assessment requirements, expectations and deadlines. This information should be provided in written format after the meeting to ensure the student has an accurate record of the discussion.