Founder of private teaching agency urges caution following NHS report into prevalence of ADHD.

A recent report into the prevalence of ADHD by the health watchdog NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) has said that at least 7,000 children are suffering from the most severe form of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Scotland without having been diagnosed. Currently, there are 4,539 children diagnosed with the behavioural disorder in Scotland, but the report estimates that more than 33,000 children below the age of 18 may be suffering from ADHD at varying levels of severity. However, this report has raised concerns for Adam Caller, founder of Tutors International.

Tutors International sources full-time private tutors for families all over the world, many of whom have sought a private teacher as their child has been diagnosed with ADHD. Adam commented; “We can provide highly trained full-time private tutors who are very experienced in teaching children with a wide range of behavioural disorders, including ADHD. In many cases, children who have previously been diagnosed with mild ADHD respond very well to private tuition. However, I believe this is because a private teacher gives them the attention they need, which they hadn’t received before that point. For me, the fact that children respond in this way demonstrates that medication is not necessary in many cases.”

Adam continued; “Whilst it’s good that people are being urged to be vigilant for the signs of ADHD, I fear reports like this will increase the rate of incorrect medication for an underlying behavioural disorder that the child simply doesn’t have. In these cases, behaviour can be improved by giving that child the time and attention they need without any need for drugs. Children with severe ADHD do need specialist help, however, unnecessary medication for ADHD is something that we at Tutors International often see, and is unlikely to end any time soon.”