Jersey primary school recognised for ADHD support work

The initiative at Springfield School is not the only work being undertaken on the island to help people with ADHD

A Jersey school has been recognised by a charity for its work in supporting children with ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].

Springfield Primary School is the first in the Channel Islands to be given the ADHD Friendly School Award.

Students are being taught to embrace management techniques and the positives of the condition.

Deputy head teacher Anthea Carrol, who has ADHD, said she wanted children to think of it as their "superpower".

'Brain breaks'

She said: "We tend to be very empathetic and caring towards others. The detail we're able to get and the focus we're able to achieve is at much higher levels than someone who would be neurotypical."

ADHD is a condition that affects people's behaviour.

People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.

To qualify for the award, from UK charity the ADHD Foundation, Springfield fulfilled six pledges, including: holding an assembly on ADHD, hosting information evenings for parents, and providing evidence that children were given "brain breaks and fidget toys".

Ms Carrol said: "Allowing children to go out and release some of that pent-up energy and then they can come back and re-focus, that's really helped.

"Because they feel accepted here, all of our attendance with our ADHD students is in line with our neurotypical population, so we're really proud of that."

The initiative at is not the only work being undertaken in Jersey to help people with ADHD.

Education Minister Inna Gardiner said she wanted to reduce waiting times for ADHD medication by letting GPs take over the prescribing of ADHD medication.

The transition would allow clinicians at the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) more freedom to focus on diagnosing the condition.

Deputy Gardiner's report on her plans for 2023 said the work had been delayed and she hoped it would be finished by the end of March.

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