‘Flick the switch’: how teachers can best support students with ADHD

Positive reinforcement, 'faking it till you make it' and music are effective strategies teachers can use to support students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new book.

Fiona Kearnan, a casual teacher based in Victoria, has dedicated her career to helping educators improve their understanding of ADHD and how it impacts their classrooms.

The author of 'Flicking the Switch' told Education Review that teachers need to move away from using a "negative and punitive" approach and prioritise using understanding and empathy.

"This will help students shift their focus and attention and behaviour onto what it should be," she said.

Around 5 per cent of students in Australia are estimated to live with ADHD.

The neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by prolonged inattention and hyperactivity, and can deeply affect a child's learning experience.

Kearnan joined Education Review to discuss the complexities of ADHD and ways teachers can work to establish a supportive environment for every student.

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