If your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may want to find out about the educational options provided at school.

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, then it is very likely that their progress at school will be disrupted in some way. This may be because children with ADHD often fall behind with their school work or their behaviour causes problems for their teachers. Even so, there are things you can do to help your child at school.

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD it is likely that their school will try to improve your child's behaviour and ability to learn. For example, your child's teacher may be involved in your child's behaviour therapy. Behaviour therapy aims to improve behaviour through a system of rewards for good behaviour.

Your child's school may decide your child needs some extra help in the classroom. Here are some of the things it may do to help.

• Have a special-education co-ordinator. Some schools provide a special-education co-ordinator who works with teachers to meet the needs of children with ADHD. This means that your child can stay with classmates but get extra help

• Make special seating areas. Your child's schoolwork may improve if he or she can sit in an area that has few distractions but space to move around in and release energy

• Give your child extra breaks or special learning equipment such as computers.

• Give your child special instructions so that tasks are broken down into manageable steps.

• Encourage your child's teacher to work out a way to communicate with your child so that your child doesn't feel picked on.

Ask your child's teacher or head teacher for more information about how to help your child. Or you could contact your local education authority, the part of your local council responsible for education.

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