Counsellors’ position in the child–teacher-parent axis in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disorders

ABSTRACT

Turkish school counsellors (N = 113) were surveyed on their basal knowledge, resources for keeping up, and suggestions with respect to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LD). Suggestions were then subjected to thematic content analysis and classified as child-centred, teacher-centred or parent-centred approaches. Counsellors primarily suggested child-centred approaches for ADHD and teacher-centred approaches for LD. They highlighted the need for ensuring that schools accommodate to the realities of these students. Although some of the counsellors were more sensitive to abusive labelling and unnecessary medication, the majority of them were not against medication for ADHD. They felt less competent to cope with children with LD, and mostly suggested ways of keeping them from being alienated from family and friends.

KEYWORDS:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• learning disorders
• school counsellors
• labelling
• child-centred
• teacher-centred

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author [HD]. The data are not publicly available due to privacy of research participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hicran Doğru

Hicran Doğru, MD, is teaching staff in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department at Ataturk University School of Medicine, Turkey. Her research interests include neurodevelopmental diseases (ADHD, LD, autism etc.), community mental health, and forensic psychiatry. She is a principal investigator, co-investigator, and/or consultant on evidence-based clinical, preventive, and service interventions to improve child mental health services and access to care. e-mail: [email protected]

İbrahim Selçuk Esin

İbrahim Selçuk Esin, MD, is Head of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department at Ataturk University School of Medicine, Turkey. His research interests include basic neuroscience, neurodevelopmental diseases (ADHD, LD, autism etc.), and large-scale, community-based developmental epidemiology. He is the principal investigator, co-investigator, and/or consultant in projects entailing the evaluation of intervention outcomes in clinical trials and the dissemination of treatments into the community.