Educators' knowledge of and attitudes towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder impacting academic settings.
• Educators are vital in identifying and supporting children with ADHD.
• Adequate educator knowledge and positive attitudes are crucial for effective ADHD management in schools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate educators' knowledge and attitudes towards children with ADHD.
• To compare knowledge and attitudes between public and private school educators in South Africa.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional analytical study involving 100 educators from public and private schools in Tshwane, South Africa.
• Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and the ADHD-specific Knowledge and Attitudes of Educators scale (including SASK and Scale of ADHD-Specific Attitude).

Main Results:

• Educators demonstrated a high level of ADHD knowledge (mean SASK score = 70%).
• Private school educators had significantly higher knowledge than public school educators.
• Attitudes towards ADHD-associated behaviors were unfavorable and did not correlate with knowledge or experience.

Conclusions:

• Educators possess adequate ADHD knowledge but report negative experiences and challenges in managing ADHD behaviors.
• A significant need for effective classroom management strategies and targeted training for educators was identified.
• Educators remain committed to supporting learners with ADHD, emphasizing the importance of continued professional development.