The UK’s ADHD foundation has pledged that it will offer free training to all SENco schools in Salford in November by offering a free one day course.

The aim of the free training package is to help teachers understand the impacts that ADHD has on a child.

An element to this process is to help teachers and parents collaborate to further understand that ADHD is not just about bad behaviour and there are many other factors involved.

Awareness will help provide the understanding that teachers and parents need to help the child with ADHD and further help their mental health.

Dr Tony Lloyd, CEO of ADHD Foundation UK said: “We need to try and encourage schools to better identify and understand developmental difficulties.

“If we reduce learner anxiety then it might result in better behaviour of these children and schools need to strategize this better.”

On November 27th, free training will be provided to all Salford SENco schools from 10am to 3:30pm.

The training will be open to teachers and school nurses to come along and learn more about ADHD by providing up to date research and classroom strategies.

The event will be free and be presented by ADHD Foundation CEO Dr Tony Lloyd, he will be joined by Colin Foley, the National Training director of the foundation.

The scheme has been backed by Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is a socialist Member of Parliament for Eccles and Salford.

The event will allow everybody in the community to come together and learn more about ADHD while raising awareness across the city of Salford and bring attention to mental health issues.

The training scheme will also provide support to those who may need it and will help people across the community understand how ADHD can have an impact on a daily basis.

Interestingly, in recent statistics by the Centre for Educational Neuroscience, ADHD diagnosis rates in the UK is at a stable level. It’s not on the rise or decreasing compared to other countries in the world.

Dr Tony Lloyd also went on to say: “When we discuss ADHD and the stigma attached, it needs to be communicated that ADHD has no class.

”It is discriminatory to even consider that ADHD is associated with class. It is found everywhere and it is something that needs to be communicated more.

”I dislike the term ‘poverty stricken’ and it’s not something that should be considered when we think about ADHD and who it affects.”

According to Healthline: “The average age a child is diagnosed with ADHD is at the age of 7 with symptoms appearing between the ages of 3-6.

”ADHD diagnosis has increased dramatically by 42% over the last 8 years.

‘What’s more is that males are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than females.

”3.62% of boys between 5 and 15 diagnosed with ADHD while 0.85% are girls.”

Dr Tony Lloyd said: “There’s troubling evidence to suggest that girls in particular are not diagnosed until they are around 13-14 years old when they have already shown symptoms of ADHD, such as eating disorders and even depression.

”We’ve reached a point in time where adults are even considering that they have ADHD now that it is much more discussed.

”Some of them even asking themsleves, do I have the symptoms? Is this why I underachieved at school.

”This is the reason why ADHD understanding and awareness is becoming increasingly important”.

October is ADHD awareness month with the theme of ‘setting the record straight’.

With the focus on helping those who struggle with mental health, the ADHD foundation are seeking to connect children, parents and teachers to collaborate to help children who may be finding school life difficult.

There’s still more to understand on ADHD and the effects that it has on human behavior.

The ADHD foundation are appealing to the Salford community to join in raising awareness to learn more about what ADHD is and how people can help others who may be struggling.

It is hoped that the scheme will be expanded so that there is training delivered for parents which Dr Tony Lloyd said: “Will hopefully improve understanding and ADHD awareness and to help improve home-school relationships.”

If you are struggling or know someone who is and needs advice then you can contact the George Day Centre in Salford who offer mental health advice.

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