Identification of ADHD
1-minute summary: ADHD identification in schools often quickly identifies pupils who present disruptive and hyperactive, however, pupils who are easily missed are the dreamy, inattentive children who do not present with the expected stereotypical behaviour problems, often associated with ADHD. QbCheck, an FDA cleared, CE marked objective test, can help teachers, SENCOs and parents to minimise the time from first concern about ADHD to appropriate support.
School leaders across England have recently raised concerns that the current school system prevents some pupils from reaching their potential and 68% [1] of them indicated a serious lack of support to deliver the best outcomes for pupils with SEND, including those with ADHD.
And while most teachers have had some experience with the impact of ADHD on a pupil’s social, emotional and academic development, knowledge about and confidence to identify ADHD are variable, resulting in inaction and delay. When diagnosed and treated, the lives of pupils with ADHD can be transformed. QbCheck, an online objective test, is already helping more than 80 schools to streamline referrals and secure the support their pupils with ADHD need.
At the start of this summer term, a teacher generally has obtained valuable insights in a pupil’s development and concerns about behaviour or progress tend to become more apparent. It is therefore of great importance that this teacher – together with the SENCO and parents – acts during this period if there are concerns, to ensure that a child will be able to start the next academic year with the best possible opportunities.
Encouragingly, most teachers are quick to pick up and act upon pupils who present disruptive and hyperactive, however, pupils who are easily missed are the dreamy, inattentive children who do not present with the expected stereotypical behaviour problems, often associated with ADHD. It is particularly difficult to act when concerns between teachers and parents differ, although even when they are united, it can be challenging to ensure a successful referral to a specialist.
Some SENCOs report about restrictions and thresholds imposed by local services, such as CAMHS, and having referrals turned down has left them frustrated. On the other hand, health care services feel inundated with inappropriate referrals, many of whom referred for being disruptive in a classroom but did not necessarily meet the criteria for ADHD. Which in turn, has a huge impact on waiting lists faced by these services, further adding to the delay for pupils in need.
QbCheck, an FDA cleared, CE marked objective test, can help teachers, SENCOs and parents to minimise the time from first concern about ADHD to appropriate support. Used in over 80 schools, QbCheck is an online test, that objectively measures the three core symptoms of ADHD; activity, inattention and impulsivity. The result is available instantly and indicates whether ADHD is likely and if a specialist ADHD assessment should be sought, identifying those in need and supporting more streamlined and appropriate referrals.
QbCheck does not require special hardware but is, together with an e-learning platform, accessible online and easy to use, reducing workload and promoting timely decision making. Through QbCheck, school staff and parents will be informed to act in ADHD, supporting pupils to receive help and reach their potential.
For more information about QbCheck, visit www.qbcheck.com