Carlos and Bella
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Carlos is ‘gifted’ but also has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a ‘life‐long disability’.
His mother Bella told the Royal Commission that knowledge about ADHD at Carlos’ school is ‘outdated and full of bias and stigma’.
Bella struggles to engage his teachers. She has provided the latest scientific-based research to the school but she’s unsure if it’s even being passed on to the teaching team.
She says that students with ADHD ‘thrive on challenge and can be easily motivated by interest’. But Carlos is ‘stuck in a class where the teacher thinks he doesn’t get maths so is only taught how to pass the test’. She sits at the front of the class and spoon-feeds the students. She won’t let Carlos ask questions during the class.
‘My child has ADHD – asking him to wait until the end will mean that he’s forgotten what question he wanted to ask!’
Bella has suggested Carlos attend more advanced classes, but he is prevented from doing so because he performs poorly on tests.
He performs poorly because during testing he can become distracted and lose concentration. Bella says the five-minute rest break allowed for national tests is not suitable for all students with cognitive disabilities.
‘No two ADHDers are the same … Accommodations should be tailored to suit each individual …
‘The government could help this situation by promoting and reframing the way ADHD is perceived,’ she says. Students with ADHD are seen as having ‘behavioural difficulties’. They are often treated as if ‘they are doing it on purpose’ and then suspended from school.
Instead, Bella says, ADHD behaviours should be understood as ‘symptoms of a neurodevelopmental disorder – something that they have no control over’.
‘ADHD currently is one in 20 primary aged students, therefore, on average there will be at least one ADHDer in each class. It is imperative that every teacher is given up-to-date training on how to cater correctly for them.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.