Pupils’ Perceptions of Ad/Hd

This paper reports a small scale qualitative study of 16 pupils' perceptions of the experience of AD/HD. It considers their perceptions of their behaviour, their understandings of the nature of AD/HD and their experience, understanding of and attitudes towards intervention. The study concludes that pupils' responses are complex, in that they share both positive and negative attitudes towards AD/HD. Of particular concern, however, are recurring inaccuracies in pupils' perceptions of the nature of AD/HD as a solely biologically determined phenomenon. Whilst this view reflects popular misconceptions of AD/HD, it does not accord with the theoretical and research literature on the topic. It is, therefore, argued that pupils might benefit from being introduced to a view of AD/HD which represents its status as a phenomenon that results from interactions between biological, psychological and social forces. Additional informationNotes on contributorsPaul Cooper Paul Cooper is Lecturer in Education (Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) at the University of Cambridge School of Education. Trevor Shea Trevor Shea is studying for a PhD at the University of Cambridge School of Education.