The Future of Education

It is estimated that 5% of school- aged population has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This student population faces significant impairments in emotional, social and academic functioning. Research show students with ADHD are more likely to be suspended and expulsed (Schultz, Wvans, & Serpell, 2009), are more likely to be socially rejected, have a higher absenteeism rate and are at a greater risk of dropping out of high school compared to their peers without ADHD (Barbaresi et al. 2007). Challenges faced by students with ADHD can be attributed to deficits at the behavioral, neuropsychological, and brain level. According to Weijer-Bergsma et al. (2012) at the behavioral level, ADHD is associated with symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, at the neuropsychological level it is associated with lack of executive functioning and at the brain level it is related to the reduced size and functioning of neutral networking.  Mindfulness training is one intervention that has the potential to address deficits in all three areas. Bishop et al. (2004) have operationally defined mindfulness as consisting of two components: self-regulation of attention and an attitude characterized by curiosity, openness, and acceptance of one’s experience. At the behavioral level, mindfulness training can help increase the ability to pay attention and reduce automatic responses. Neuropsychological, it can improve executive functioning by regulating emotions, enhancing working memory and other cognitive functions (Weijer-Bergsma et al. 2012) and at the brain level it can change the level of neural activity and connections as found in the recent neuro-imaging studies (Howells et al., 2012 & Siegel  2007).

This presentation will present findings of a research study done by the author on effectiveness of Mindfulness Trainging on students with ADHD. In addition, current research on effectiveness of mindfulness training will be synthesized and translated into practical steps that participants can implement with their students.