Abstract

Three hundred and eight pupils in the age group 12–18 years were interviewed and examined. They had been diagnosed as having attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD), and were attending a high school devoted to special education. Their classification into subgroups was as follows: ADHD – inattentive (I) = 22.1%, ADHD – hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI) = 12.3% and combined = 42.2%. Only 25% of them were treated by methylphenidate (Ritalin). Ninety-four percent of them were diagnosed with comorbidity of ‘learning disabilities’. Thirty-four percent of them reported being severely stressed when going to school and sitting in class. Their complaints were: tiredness and excessive needs to sleep, frequent quarrelling with close friends, feeling different from other classmates and having low self-esteem (SE). They complaint that their parents don’t understand them. Things that irritated them the most were being lied to and coercion by others. The authors suggest to consider ADHD/LD as neurobehavioral disability. It is mandatory to prepare them for adult life with proper social skills and a suitable occupation.

Keywords: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Learning disabilities (LD); Adolescents perspective

Article Outline

1. Introduction

1.1. Aims of the study

2. Methods

3. Results

3.1. Personal knowledge about ADHD/LD

3.2. Adolescent perspectives

3.3. How to help ADHD/LD adolescents

4. Discussion and conclusion

4.1. Discussion

5. Conclusions

5.1. Practice implications

References