ADHD is often misunderstood as merely being overactive or easily distracted. However, it involves a spectrum of challenges and strengths that impact daily life and learning much more than you might see!
What is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects how well someone can sit still, focus, and pay attention. People often think of ADHD as just being very energetic, but there are actually three different types that can affect people in different ways.
ADHD is divided into three types to help us better understand and identify symptoms of ADHD, but keep in mind that the symptoms can vary from person to person. This is why each type is described as 'primarily'—indicating that while certain symptoms are more dominant, they can overlap with characteristics of the other types of ADHD.
1. Primarily Inattentive ADHD (Formerly Known as ADD)
People with this type of ADHD aren't overly active. Instead, they may seem to daydream a lot and find it hard to focus on one task at a time. They might get easily side-tracked, forget what they were supposed to do, or struggle to follow instructions. This type is less obvious than hyperactive ADHD because these individuals aren’t disruptive and might just seem quiet or a bit disorganised.
2. Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
This type is what many people picture when they think of ADHD. Individuals with this form are often very active and may find it hard to control their impulses. For example, they might run around a lot, talk excessively, or have difficulty waiting their turn in games or group situations. They’re the ones who seem to be always "on the go" and can act without thinking things through.
3. Combined Type ADHD
As the name suggests, this type combines elements of both of the other types. Individuals with Combined Type ADHD show six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity. They might have a hard time focusing and, at the same time, feel the need to move around a lot. This makes it particularly challenging for them in different settings, like at school or while doing homework.
It’s important to understand that regardless of the type, ADHD can make school and everyday activities challenging. But with the right support and strategies, people with ADHD can manage their symptoms successfully.
The importance of learning more
Knowing about the different types of ADHD helps guide you in finding the right support and teaching methods for students with ADHD. This support can make learning less stressful for children with ADHD, as well as make teaching less stressful for teachers.
By learning all about ADHD, we develop empathy and an ability to help students thrive, no matter how they learn. Let's change how we think about ADHD and work together to support and understand our classroom better. ✏️
Easier said than done right? How are you supposed to bring this into the real world...Try this free guide we made to help you start taking action today:
On that note...
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Learn More, Teach Better
If you are looking to dive deeper into ADHD, our self-paced courses on support strategies, interventions and the roadmap to help you thrive in working with children with ADHD at home and in the classroom you can explore our courses to help you master ADHD here.
Happy Learning from The Team at Education Elephant! 🐘
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