Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

conceptions of future teachers

Abstract

Although the terms “learning difficulty” and “learning disorder” are not the subject of recent investigations, there are still some misunderstandings regarding these terms, including among professionals in the field of Education. In this sense, this study aimed to analyze the conceptions of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) of pedagogy students. To this end, a questionnaire was developed with questions that covered not only the scientific theme, but also the relationship with learning difficulties, notions of identification, the data collection instrument also allows the participant to mention how prepared they feel to work with a student with the disorder. 33 students participated in the study, being first- and fourth-year students, regularly enrolled in the Pedagogy course at a Public Higher Education Institution. The results demonstrate that students have difficulty in conceptualizing both what Attention Disorder (ADD) and what Hyperactivity is. The participants' responses were redundant, always bringing the aspect of difficulty in concentration and/or focus, nor a relational deficit in ADHD. as a Learning Disorder. Furthermore, 86% of these students did not yet feel prepared to work with this audience and had difficulty presenting possible strategies. Such data reinforce the importance not only of more studies in this area, but especially that the theme be included in Teacher Training, in order to alleviate such difficulties in conceptualization, as well as in planning actions with future students.