Classroom Behaviour Not an Indicator of Success

Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a term which has come in to use fairly recently to describe behavioural problems in children, but scientists in the United States now believe the condition may have genetic roots going back 10-40,000 years. Furthermore, the genetic variation that causes such behavioural problems may have benefited our ancestors in the evolutionary process.

The terms ADHD and ADD have come into common use since the 1960's. Symptoms range from short attention spans and liveliness to carelessness and aggression. It is classed as a learning disability and is estimated to affect between 5% and 20% of pre-school children. Orthodox treatment typically involves prescribing the drug Ritalin, while a more holistic approach might consider emotional factors, nutrition and even allergies. Even so, contemporary specialists now view the condition not so much as an affliction as a unique set of learning and developmental needs.

Many of us know individuals who, dismissed as "troublemakers" or "no-hopers" during early education went on to remarkable success later in life. UK entrepreneur Richard Branson was famously told by his headmaster on leaving school, "Branson, I predict you will either go to prison, or become a millionaire".

The report by scientists at the University of California identifies a gene (DRD4) responsible for the characteristics associated with ADHD and behavioural problems. Researchers claim the gene variation causes a "novelty-seeking" personality trait, which may have given early humans an advantage in mating and reproduction. However, whilst this entrepreneurial flair may be beneficial to our life-long success, it is not so compatible in an institutional setting or where socially expected behaviours are rigid.

"We speculate that the very traits that may be advantageous for individuals possessing this variant gene may predispose behaviours that are deemed inappropriate in the typical classroom setting, " commented Dr Robert K. Moyzis, leading the study.

"If so, then for some ADHD individuals, alternative methods of education may be more useful than medication".

So remember, should your child ever be sent home from school for misbehaving; maybe, just maybe there's a budding entrepreneur inside them just waiting to get out...

Saturday, 2 February 2002