Teacher training 'should include ADHD section', says academic

Better training should be provided to teachers to prevent job pressures getting in the way of them supporting pupils with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it has been suggested.

The Times Educational Supplement reports that a survey conducted by Dr Julie Kos on a number of teachers found that a large proportion were not confident dealing with these students, due to a lack of time.

She told the British Educational Research Association conference in Edinburgh today that reforms must be made to reverse this trend.

Compulsory specialist coaching as part of teacher training could help prevent pupils with ADHD being neglected in the classroom.

And trainee teachers should also "be exposed to pupils with ADHD during their placements to maximise chances for gaining experience," the paper reports her as saying.

Funds of £10 million will be provided to special education needs coordinators annually, junior schools minister Andrew Adonis announced earlier this year.