ADHD: children are being labelled unruly but they need special care


  • English
  • Arabic

Jennifer Bell

ABU DHABI // Schoolchildren are wrongly being branded “naughty” and at risk of being expelled instead of being treated for a psychological disorder, according to health experts.

Half of the children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have yet to have the condition diagnosed, doctors believe.

This means they are getting into trouble rather than given the specialised learning they need.

ADHD makes it difficult for children to pay attention and control impulsive behaviour. Experts say there is a stigma attached, which exacerbates the problem.

“You have children failing school or getting expelled for bad behaviour,” said Dr Eeva Liisa Langille, the head of the paediatric department at Burjeel Hospital.

“It is a big problem. Not just for children who are missing education, but it is a big problem for society to have children missing learning.”

Dr Langille said more knowledge was needed on how to tell the difference between a child with ADHD and one looking to push the boundaries.

“If a child does not seem to be able to commit to any activity for any length of time, if a child wanders around and does not seem to be able to focus on what is at hand and have a randomness to their approach, if a child has difficulty accepting limits about what is acceptable. These are signs of ADHD,” Dr Langille said.

A screening questionnaire asking parents, family members and teachers simple questions can help to highlight indicators of ADHD, but an assessment by a psychologist or development paediatrician is needed to diagnose the condition, said Dr Langille, from Australia.

Dr Hamza Al Sayouf, a paediatric neurologist at Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai, agrees that a delay in diagnosis means children get into trouble in school, and can lag behind their peers.

“These kids who are not treated means their maximum potential will never be reached,” he said. “Say a child has the potential to be four out of four – without treatment he will only ever reach a three.”

Statistics about the prevalence of ADHD differ among international health bodies.

The American Psychiatric Association reports that 5 per cent of children have the disorder.

But figures released in November by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that one in 10 children between the ages of 4 and 17 in the US have ADHD.

Many medical journals put the international prevalence between three and five per cent.

There are no official figures for the UAE but Dr Al Sayouf, from Jordan, said 1 or 2 per cent of school-age children have had the disorder diagnosed, although he believes between 3 and 5 per cent of children have the condition.

He blames the disparity between the figures on “a lack of awareness, stigma and the fact that the family do not know of the benefits of treating kids with ADHD”.

“We only see the severe cases who have had ADHD for years.”

Dr Al Sayouf said that many people pictured a child with ADHD as out of control, bouncing off the walls and disrupting others.

But this is not the sole picture, he said. There are different types of ADHD marked by three primary characteristics – inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Some children with ADHD are hyperactive, while others are more sedate.

“There is a misconception,” Dr Al Sayouf said. “A lot of parents think this is a very serious disorder that verges more on the physiological rather than the neurological side of things.

“Especially the Arab culture, they believe their child is crazy or has problems with discipline.”

ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and into adulthood, according to the US National Institute of Mental Health. The average age when symptoms show is 7.

Dr Veena Luthra, a psychiatrist at the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology in Abu Dhabi, said ADHD could lead to pupils underachieving in school, especially as they move up the academic ladder.

This can affect their self-esteem, especially if their parents are unaware of their condition and lay extra blame on the child.

“Schools are becoming more aware of these problems and they refer these children to us for treatment,” Dr Luthra said. “Schools in the UAE do provide some support but need recommendations from a child psychiatrist or psychologist.”

Recommendations can include preferential seating close to the teacher, extra time on tests, taking tests in a quiet room free from distractions, help with organising material and writing down assignments, Dr Luthra said.

“Regular communication between the school and parents is absolutely necessary,” she said.

“Parents can use rewards for positive reinforcement. Good structure, clear rules and regular routine are needed at home.

“Medication is effective and improves concentration and decreases impulsive behaviour.”

jbell@thenational.ae

While you're here
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m

Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

MO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Ramy%20Youssef%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Amer%2C%20Teresa%20Ruiz%2C%20Omar%20Elba%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

The Matrix Resurrections

Director: Lana Wachowski

Stars:  Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick 

Rating:****

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
NBA Finals results

Game 1: Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114
Game 2: Warriors 122, Cavaliers 103
Game 3: Cavaliers 102, Warriors 110
Game 4: In Cleveland, Sunday (Monday morning UAE)

UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

The specs

Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm

Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)

On sale: Now

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha

Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Holiday destination: Sri Lanka

First car: VW Golf

Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters

Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now