SAINT ROCH’S SECONDARY SCHOOL
Information on Additional Support Needs
This information leaflet aims to provide help in identifying some common factors which give rise to additional support needs in school as well as suggesting what to look out for, ways you can help and where to find more information.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder)
What is it? Children with ADHD have an unusually short attention span and become easily distracted (attention deficit). They are also overactive and restless
(hyperactive).
What do I look out for? You may notice that the child is constantly restless, irritable and emotionally immature. Aggressiveness and poor discipline are common.
The child may show no sense of danger, for example, climbing fearlessly and ignoring repeated warnings. Sometimes children with ADHD are also clumsy.
Learning is often slowed down by the lack of attention and concentration, and boys who are hyperactive and aggressive tend to become unpopular with other children.
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), however, can often go unnoticed because the child is dreamy and inattentive, but not disruptive.
ADHD can affect social skill development and problems with language and speech development are also common.
As the child grows older, he or she may engage in antisocial behaviour and be unaware of the consequences. But ADHD is not related to intelligence - children of all levels of ability can be affected.
How can I help and where can I get more information? http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/attention_deficit.html
DYSLEXIA
What is it? Difficulty in reading, spelling or written language. Numbers and organisational skills may also be affected.
For what to look out for and/or suggestions for helping dyslexic pupils, please refer to the leaflet called, How to Support your Dyslexic Students. The leaflet can be found in the staff shared area in the Support for Learning folder or you can collect a copy from
Support for Learning staff.
How can I help and where else can I get more information? http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/aboutdyslexia.html http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Dyslexia.html

DYSPRAXIA
What is it? Dyspraxia is an immaturity in the way the brain processes information and this results in messages not being properly or fully transmitted. Estimates put the number of children experiencing the Condition at between 2% and 10% of the population. Boys are four times more likely to be effected than girls.
In some cases Dyspraxia is not identified until the child reaches secondary School.
He/she may have managed to cope through their previous schools with only minor difficulties. However, the structure of secondary schools may prove to be too difficult for the child and it is at this point that problems show themselves especially in view of the organisational skills that are required in secondary education. If Dyspraxia is not identified and the child enters secondary education, low self esteem and behavioural difficulties can become big problems.
What do I look out for? Difficulties with physical activities such as in P.E. with the child having difficulty with eye hand and eye foot co-ordination (i.e. ball skills), running or using equipment easily. Poor posture, clumsiness and awkward movements. Poor short term visual and verbal memory - copying from the board, dictation, following instructions. Writing difficulties both with style and speed - frequently children have an awkward pen grip. Poorly developed organisational skills and difficulty with planning essays.
Children tire easily and may require longer periods of rest and sleep. Extremes of emotions, highly excitable at times and evidence of significant mood swings. Lack of awareness of potential danger, particularly relevant to practical and science subjects.
Often loners and have limited development of social skills.
How can I help and where can I get more information?
http://www.dyspraxiaireland.com/
BULLYING
What is it? Bullying can take many different forms but in whatever form it occurs it is always completely unacceptable because no one has the right to hurt other people by
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Hitting them
Calling them names
Spreading rumours about them
Doing anything that is deliberately to upset them
How can I help and where can I get more information?
Come to the Support Base to read leaflets on bullying. http://www.childline.org.uk/Bullying.asp http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/communities/onionstreet/liveguests/interviews/ howardmartin.shtml http://www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying/