University of Calgary researchers are investigating positive factors attributed to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
“Children with this syndrome are sometimes seen as the more problematic kid at school or sometimes are more difficult, which makes them often misunderstood,” said Emma Climie, a researcher with the study.
Children with ADHD are often stereotyped by teachers and peers. The team’s goal is to reduce this stigma.
“I’ve always tried to take the best out of kids,” said Climie. “I’ve always looked at the positive side of things, and so in a population that sometimes has a little bit of difficulties how do we find the good things?”
The team works with children and their families to show that children diagnosed with this syndrome have the potential to succeed.
“You have to start small and try to understand little things and then gradually you will make a difference in the children’s lives,” she said. “Kids do really well with structure and expectations and when they know what’s coming up and what’s expected of them. They do well when they know that they have that support from home and their teachers have the understanding that it’s not just the child being bad, it’s neurologically that their brain is wired a little differently, so the way they see things is slightly different.”
The research team is supported by the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The team is looking to find “strengths in terms of creativity, emotional intelligence, multitasking, family support and family environment.”
“We’re trying to pull out the best pieces in kids and talk to teachers and parents, as well as create more programs and workshops that will help inform families,” explained Clime.
The research team wants to reduce the negative impressions of children and even adults diagnosed with ADHD.
The team has been conducting research for over six months and encourages other families to apply.