ADHD Courses for Teachers

Teachers in South Africa lack adequate knowledge on ADHD. Teachers thus need to attend suitable, accredited courses available on ADHD in order to know how to deal with a child who has ADHD in their classroom. A study published in the South African Journal of Education stated that 200 teachers were examined on their knowledge of ADHD in South Africa (Health24, 2017). Only 45% of the teachers answered the questions on ADHD correctly (Health24, 2017). This indicates a lack of teachers fit to deal with children who have ADHD. Teachers in South Africa need to go for courses in order to equip them with techniques and resources and knowledge on how to deal with children who have ADHD in the classroom.

Teachers in South Africa can go for HANDLE training by Mindstretch. They are based in Cape Town but there are ways to get in contact with them. This includes email and telephone jen@mindstretch.co.za and 021 531 5899. They provide training for teachers who engage with children who have ADHD. The training includes workshops, lectures and longer course series based on ADHD. Their aim is to help with curriculum adaptation in South Africa.

NILD courses are offered to teachers in order to help them identify children who are vulnerable to failures later in life. TEACH is a programme offered to address any weaknesses present and uses learning theories to help address these weaknesses. TEACH focuses on visual, visual-motor, auditory, body image and intermodal. This will aid in helping children with ADHD as the teachers can focus on addressing the above mentioned areas children lack in. Non-NILD Educational Therapists will be able to attend the course for 5 days. This course is designed for teachers to use in the classroom for children with ADHD to succeed in the classroom as well as being able to become independent in life.

Calabash is a website which provides a course for teachers to watch videos on ADHD. This website provides knowledge and ways for professionals to access resources effortlessly. The talks cover ADHD and anxiety, medical treatment of ADHD: possibilities and limitations. This will inform the teachers about ADHD as many teachers are unaware of what ADHD entails. This will aid the teachers to alter their teaching ways and how they handle certain situations with the children in their classrooms.

Bellavista S.H.A.R.E training programme offers courses for teachers where they provide talks that teachers can attend. The scheduled talks vary based on the topic but they do cover ADHD. Teachers will need to have a look on their websites to see the available dates for the talks. The talks start on certain days and are covered over various other days thereafter.

Chevaune Lubbe

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“What is ADHD Coaching?”

As we all know, ADHD has the ability to negatively impact the lives of individuals who have been diagnosed with it. However, having that negative impact placed upon them does not mean that they cannot get help from a professional that would ensure growth, progress and ultimately, positive change in individuals with ADHD.
ADHD coaching is a process that involves sessions between an ADHD coach and an individual who has ADHD. It is important to keep in mind that individuals with ADHD have the same basic needs as anyone and that is why coaching would be beneficial. ADHD coaching will not only benefit the affected person but the people who have to care for them too. ADHD coaches design programmes that helps their clients build structures in certain aspects of their lives, it is a type of support system, they are taught the necessary skills and strategies are put in place that will allow the clients to lead a normal and fulfilling life, which of course includes being able to cope in mainstream schools.

ADHD coaching also allows clients to set goals and then achieve them as well as having the strength and the courage to overcome the challenges that they may have to endure. Another important aspect of coaching is that it may enhance the client’s self-esteem which allows room for an increase in confidence and better quality relationships with peers and family members. The process of coaching will not only lead to a greater self-esteem but it will allow the individuals to take ownership and responsibility for their actions. Coaching is concerned with the individual as a whole and not just the individual symptoms that may be present in the person.

Is ADHD Coaching Affective?

ADHD coaching most often includes one on one sessions, which means that the client will get all the attention that the coach has to offer. Studies have shown that ADHD coaching can be affective if it is done consistently and there is proof that children who have once had social problems can form better relationships with peers and caregivers. Coaching works the same for adults as it does for children. All individuals, young or old, will have the opportunity of adding value and meaning to their lives.

ADHD Coaching Near Me

It might come across as though ADHD coaching near us does not exist but that is only because it is highly unnoticed and not given enough credit. I hope the above clarifies the benefits of ADHD coaching for both the affected individual as well as those who are responsible for their well-being. There are various institutions and professionals around Johannesburg that offer ADHD coaching each with a different approach. Some use a cognitive approach whereas others use a cognitive behavioural approach, for example. It is best to do research on the affected individual’s symptoms before making a decision on which approach you think would be the best fit. This type of research on coaching includes contacting the various institutions and asking them to explain their approach in a bit more detail, in most cases the coach will use an approach that would work best for their clients.

By Tasneem George

REFERENCES:

Vilardo, Brigid A, MEd; DuPaul, George J, PhD; Kern, Lee, PhD; Hojnoski, Robin L, PhD.Child & Family Behavior Therapy; London Vol. 35, Iss. 1,  (2013): 63.

Hayden, D. C. (2016). What Is ADHD Coaching? Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com

Hallowell, E. M. & Ratey, J.J. (2011). Driven to distraction: Recognizing and coping with Attention Deficit Disorder. New York, NY: Anchor Books.

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