Understanding ADHD: Current Research and Practice (FutureLearn)

Through the course you will learn about ADHD as a developmental disorder, considering controversies related to the condition. You will learn about the diagnosis and best practice treatment of ADHD as you build your empathy towards people with ADHD. You will also learn practical strategies to help the educational and personal development of people with ADHD.

What topics will you cover?

- What ADHD is, and the controversies raised by the concept of ADHD

- Latest neuroscientific and psychiatric research base on the mechanisms, symptoms and impairments of ADHD

- ADHD as a developmental disorder throughout the lifespan: genes, environments (protective and risk factors)

- Latest neuroscientific and psychiatric research base on the various means of screening and assessing for child ADHD

- Latest neuroscientific and psychiatric research base on the mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD

- Understanding best practice in treatment for ADHD Mechanisms and efficacy of psychosocial tretments, pharmacological treatments supporting positive outcomes for those with ADHD and their families

Learning on this course

You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

- Discuss the prevalence and impact of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults.

- Discuss ADHD as a disorder and how it differs from normal behaviour.

- Be able to critically assess key factors in the conceptualisation and understanding of the disorder.

- Discuss the core challenges faced by those with ADHD, their families and relevant professionals.

- Discuss wider issues related to ADHD, such as labelling and stigma from multiple perspectives.

- Demonstrate an empathic understanding of the experiences of people living with ADHD.

- Describe core principles, tools and techniques used in the screening and diagnosis of ADHD, and the factors that may impact on the accuracy of a diagnosis.

- Explain how ADHD is distinguished from, and relates to, other common neurodevelopmental, behavioural and mental health problems.

- Reflect upon and discuss current evidence for the genetic and environmental vulnerability for ADHD, and associated neurological mechanisms for ADHD.

- Critically discuss the current evidence base for both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions for ADHD.

- Evaluate the rationale, mechanism, and limitations of the primary medical and psychosocial treatments for ADHD.

- Evaluate practical strategies to support the educational and personal development of those living with ADHD.

- Be able to identify resources and relevant support services for those living with ADHD.

- Evaluate the biological and environmental risk factors for ADHD.

Who is the course for?

This course is for people with ADHD and anyone working with children and adults with ADHD. This includes parents and close family members, teachers, and educational (learning disability) assessors in schools and higher education and occupational therapists.