The wide-scale problem of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and its controversial diagnosis and treatment was examined during a public lecture held at the British University in Dubai (BUiD).
ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioural disorders of childhood and can persist through adolescence and into adulthood. A child with ADHD can suffer with a chronic level of inattention, impulsive hyperactivity or both, such that normal daily functioning is compromised.
It is estimated that 3-7 percent of all children suffer from ADHD with approximately three times more boys diagnosed with the condition than girls.
Dr. John Visser, a leading expert in childrens’ behaviour and an associate professor at the University of Birmingham in the UK, gave a lecture entitled ‘ADHD Myths and Realities’ at BUiD’s Knowledge Village campus in Dubai on October 30.
“Working with leading international experts allows us to benefit their expertise and to examine modern educational theories and approaches here in the UAE to the enormous benefit of our staff and students,” said David Lock, BUiD’s Registrar and Acting CEO.
Dr Visser, an executive member of the International Observatory on Violence in Schools and a consultant in special education to schools and governments both nationally and internationally, explored the controversy surrounding ADHD and argued for greater caution to be shown when examining the results from research studies.
“There has been an exponential growth in the number of children being diagnosed with ADHD and being prescribed very strong drugs for its treatment. My view, which is controversial here in the UK, is that far too many children are being labelled with this condition and there is a fundamental misunderstanding about what ADHD really is,” said Dr Visser.
“I hope that discussing the issues concerning the diagnosis of ADHD of children in the Middle East with academics and research students in Dubai has been beneficial,” he added.
BUiD is the Middle East’s first research-based postgraduate university. BUiD’s Institute of Education offers full-time and part-time Masters Degree programmes in Education (MEd) in association with the University of Birmingham, UK. Students are able to specialise in three areas: International Management, Special Education and English Language teaching.
About British University in Dubai
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) is the Middle East’s first research-based, postgraduate university. The University was established to facilitate access to world-class education, training and research in the Middle East. BUiD aspires to the highest, internationally recognized British standards as reflected in its partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University and now the Cass Business School at City University, London. Each has a five or five-star rating in the UK national Research Assessment Exercise that signifies research of international standard.
The not-for-profit university offers full and part-time Masters Degree programmes and Continuing Professional Development courses in Information Technology, Project Management, the Built Environment, Finance and Banking, Education and IT Management.
All BUiD’s current Masters Programmes have received Accreditation Eligibility Status from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Commission for Academic Accreditation.
The founders of the University are the Al Maktoum Foundation, the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, Rolls-Royce, the British Business Group and the National Bank of Dubai. The University is governed by a Council under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The Emirates Group, DUCAB, Atkins, Dubai Duty Free, Hyder Consulting, the Emirates Foundation and DUGAS are supporters of the university through financial contributions or the provision of scholarships.
