May 1, 2019 — The Australian
Reports on high rate of suspensions for Australian students with ADHD, featuring PAAA’s ADHD & Schools survey results. PAAA gains widespread coverage of such an important issue for our kids.
“Australian researchers described ADHD as one of the most prevalent but unsupported developmental disabilities affecting school-aged children, and one which often leads them being unfairly labelled naughty, lazy or slow.
“These kids commonly get in trouble for not following instruction; they have low or poor working memory,” said lead author, Professor Linda Graham, from the Queensland University of Technology.”
“We believe the children are exhibiting behaviours associated with their disability, and they are being disciplined for that,” said Louise Kuchel, a spokeswoman for Parents for ADHD Advocacy Australia.
Ms Kuchel said suspensions failed because they were designed to let students reflect on changing their behaviour, which was impossible when the issue was neurological.”
“A NSW Department of Education spokesman said significant support was provided to students with disability and additional learning and support needs, including attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), in public schools across NSW.”