# When Teachers Understand ADHD: New Evidence Shows Classroom Change Can Help Close the Care Gap

**Sydney, Australia** — New research from ADHD Lifespan Clinic & Academy highlights how evidence-based teacher professional learning can improve the recognition and classroom support of students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with implications for helping bridge the long-standing gap between education and healthcare.

At the upcoming **Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) Conference**, Amy Cheung, Co-Founder of ADHD Lifespan Clinic & Academy, and Professor Jeff Fletcher, Paediatrician and Clinical Director, will present findings from the organisation's **ADHD Training for Teachers** course.

Their presentation, **"When Teachers Understand ADHD: From Classroom Change to Closing the Care Gap,"** explores how ADHD-specific professional learning strengthens teachers' understanding, recognition and classroom management of ADHD while supporting earlier identification and more coordinated care for students.

Drawing on pre- and post-training survey data from approximately **500 Australian teachers**, the research examines how targeted ADHD education improves recognition of diverse and often overlooked presentations of ADHD, increases teachers' confidence in applying practical, evidence-informed classroom strategies, and strengthens their readiness to work collaboratively with families and clinicians.

Teachers are often among the first adults to observe the day-to-day learning, behavioural and social challenges experienced by students with ADHD. Improving teacher knowledge and confidence has the potential to support earlier identification, more effective classroom support, and better outcomes for children.

> "The classroom is where ADHD is often first observed in real-world settings," said Amy Cheung. "By equipping teachers with practical, evidence-informed knowledge and strategies, we can help create more supportive learning environments for students while strengthening collaboration between schools, families and healthcare professionals."

The presentation also explores the broader role schools can play in improving the ADHD support ecosystem. Rather than focusing solely on teacher knowledge, ADHD Lifespan's integrated model considers how professional learning can be complemented by ADHD coaching, digital learning tools and emerging virtual reality supports to help maintain student functioning, reduce escalation, and strengthen continuity of care between education and healthcare settings.

By embedding practical skills within classrooms and strengthening collaboration across education, families and clinical services, the model illustrates a scalable pathway from:

**Training → Mindset → Classroom Practice → Bridging the Care Gap**

This systems-based approach reflects growing recognition that improving outcomes for children with ADHD requires stronger connections between the people and services that support them throughout their learning journey.

Professor Jeff Fletcher said teachers play an important role in recognising when students may benefit from further support.

> "Teachers are often among the first to recognise patterns that may indicate ADHD. Providing educators with practical, evidence-informed training can strengthen collaboration between education and healthcare and support children to access appropriate care sooner."

For ADHD Lifespan, this work reflects a broader commitment to improving the ADHD journey for children, families and educators by building stronger connections between schools, healthcare professionals and community support services.

## About ADHD Lifespan Clinic & Academy

ADHD Lifespan Clinic & Academy provides multidisciplinary ADHD assessment, treatment, education and support services. Through its Clinic and Academy, the organisation works to improve understanding of ADHD across healthcare, education and community settings while promoting more coordinated support throughout the lifespan.

## Learn More

To learn more about ADHD Lifespan Clinic & Academy and the **ADHD Training for Teachers** course, visit:

https://adhdlifespan.com.au/academy/teachers-course-demo/