Teacher support for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a special needs school.

Abstract

Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often experience academic and social problems at school because of their behaviour. The teacher becomes the main figure who can help students with ADHD in the school through the implementation of different support strategies to make teaching and learning easy for a student with ADHD in a special needs classroom. The study aimed to explore Teacher Support for Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Special Needs School. The study was conducted in a special needs school in Kwamashu, Durban. Six participants were selected purposely for this study. Pseudonyms were used in this report to protect the identities of the participants and the school. This study employed the qualitative approach and an interpretivist paradigm, as it was grounded in the world of lived experiences. Data was produced using interviews and observation. The study was based on Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, offering valuable insights into child development and the crucial role teachers play in supporting students with ADHD to facilitate effective teaching and learning. Collaborating with the community and parents, teachers help children succeed in school by building a strong foundation through ecological systems. According to the data collected from the participants, it was evident that some teachers possess a strong understanding of ADHD support strategies, while others lack this knowledge. This disparity poses a significant challenge for teachers when it comes to providing adequate support to students in special needs classrooms. Based on the data, it was found that certain teachers did not receive adequate training on ADHD and support strategies for students with ADHD during their university education. This lack of detailed coverage of ADHD in the curriculum has resulted in teachers being less proficient in developing intervention support strategies for ADHD students. There is a need for teachers to receive more training on ADHD support strategies to be able to support their students in their classrooms. The government can also play a major role by providing special needs teachers with workshops to educate them more about support strategies.