ADHD SUpport for teachers

Do you have a diagnosis or suspect you have inattentive ADHD?

I understand the unique challenges you face, from difficulty focusing and organizing tasks to managing stress and maintaining productivity. I will be curious, listen, and not judge. I offer a tailored coaching service designed to help you leverage your strengths and develop practical strategies for overcoming these obstacles. With personalized support and techniques to enhance time management and organizational skills, I can provide the guidance and encouragement you need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Let me help you turn your challenges into opportunities and achieve your fullest potential. While I can't diagnose or fix ADHD, I can help you identify strategies to manage it effectively both personally and in the workplace. I can also explore the areas where your workplace and expectations could be adapted to be more inclusive of your needs.

Understanding Inattentive ADHD

Inattentive ADHD, one of the three main types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is characterized primarily by difficulty sustaining attention, organizing tasks, and managing time. Unlike the hyperactive type, individuals with inattentive ADHD may not display outward signs of hyperactivity but struggle with forgetfulness, distraction, and inattention. Often sufferers can be judged as lazy, where this could not be further from the truth. ADHD symptoms can significantly impact professional performance, especially in roles such as teaching and school leadership.

People with ADHD can and do make excellent teachers and school leaders.

Facts and Figures About ADHD in Adults in the UK

ADHD is often perceived as a childhood condition, but it affects many adults as well. In the UK, there is an increasing number of adults being diagnosed with ADHD, with many more cases undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Research shows that adults with ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in the workplace, including higher rates of job turnover and lower overall job satisfaction.

Symptoms in Adults

In adults, ADHD symptoms are often more subtle and varied than in children. Key symptoms include:

• Carelessness and lack of attention to detail

• Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones

• Poor organizational skills

• Inability to focus or prioritize

• Continually losing or misplacing things

• Forgetfulness

• Restlessness and edginess

• Difficulty keeping quiet, speaking out of turn

• Blurting out responses and often interrupting others

• Mood swings, irritability, and a quick temper

• Inability to deal with stress

• Extreme impatience

• Taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety

Personal Reflections: School Reports

For a diagnosis, ADHD symptoms must have been present from an early age. Reflecting on my school years, my reports often highlighted untapped potential and inconsistent effort. Phrases like "erratic," "easily distracted," "makes careless errors," and "not consistent enough" were common. Despite this, there were occasional flashes of perception and understanding. These early observations mirror my adult symptoms of inattentive ADHD, illustrating the lifelong impact of the condition – I would argue that the list of comments below could have been written at any stage in my life.

Professional Journey and Insights

As a teacher and headteacher, I thrived in supportive and collaborative environments where autonomy and clear expectations were provided. I believe some teachers and leaders need to have the workplace and expectations modified to function to their best capacity. I suspect there could be countless staff managing day to day with ADHD by masking their condition, so as not to be ‘found out’ as it is seen as a weakness and not becoming of a professional. Staff with ADHD could be more susceptible to burnout, anxiety, and increased procrastination - they need support, not further scrutiny or being managed out of the role through an action plan. My greatest sense of achievement has come from helping students and staff overcome challenges, barriers, and disabilities, or excel unexpectedly.

My Commitment

I am dedicated to providing ADHD support that empowers teachers and school leaders. By focusing on strengths and offering practical strategies, I aim to enhance your professional performance and personal wellbeing. Let’s work together to create a supportive environment where you can thrive and make a positive impact on your students’ educational journeys.

Contact

If you’re ready to explore how our coaching services can support you, get in touch for a chat.

What my school reports said about me:

Untapped potential

Erratic

Makes steady progress

Satisfactory

Poor presentation

Not consistent enough

Easily distracted

Wastes a lot of time

Lacks self-reliance

Potential

Untidy

Careless / makes careless errors

Inconsistent test results

Fidgety

Does bare minimum to get by

Does not apply himself – far too casual

Key words: satisfactory and average referring to his exams, attitude and behaviour

Lacks consistency

Cruising

More ability than prepared to show

Underachieving

Can do better

No real effort

Not doing his best – too easily satisfied

Always appeared very content to be rather inconspicuous

Very much ‘in the middle’

Output has been of variable quality

Attitude to work is casual and passive

Does not venture an opinion

Should ‘pull up his socks’

Drifts along without too much exertion

Fair standard, respectable mark

Could be a good all rounder if pushed himself a little

Needs to persuade himself to come alive and make a positive effort

Mediocre – occasional flashes of perception

Passive

Work consists of a mass of facts, some of which are relevant to the question and a lot which are irrelevant

Misunderstands simple concepts

Less erratic work, more consistent effort

Modest effort, reasonable standards, fair understanding

Complacent attitude could prove disastrous

Comfortable

Not working hard enough

Inadequate knowledge

Tries hard

Rather worrying

Settled back comfortably