Abstract
Objective:
In this study it has been aimed to investigate the knowledge level of teachers about attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ideal classroom applications towards these children, and also this study has been conducted to discuss the importance of teacher training in ADHD treatment.
Method:
A training programme was conducted for 104 teachers working in 3 primary schools in and around Adana city on definition and treatment of ADHD and ideal classroom applications. Before and after training, teachers were asked 30 questions in order to investigate their level of knowledge about ADHD and their attitudes to the disorder.
Results:
The average score of the correct answers to the questions before training was 26.3 ± 2.3, the average score after training has been found to be 27.8 ± 4.1. The difference was statistically meaningful (p=0.001).
Discussion:
It is important to cooperate with teachers for diagnosis, treatment management and follow up of patients with ADHD. In this study, we have suggested that there is lack of knowledge about ADHD among teachers working in primary schools and even a short time training programme could be very useful to overcome this problem. It is advised to give more importance to teacher training in ADHD treatment.
Keywords: ADHD, teacher training, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, classroom applications.
