Former deputy head provides vital ADHD training

Mags Smith

Mags Smith, former deputy headteacher of All Saint’s Primary School, has entered a new profession. She is now training teachers all over the UK in how best to manage young children with ADHD.

She has qualified as a professional coach ADHD and trainer and now works with a colleague in running the up and coming business ADDsuccess in Manchester.

Ms Smith says that ADHD professionals are few and far between so her skills are much sought after.

She was an Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) for behaviour management so this move is a natural progression from her work in schools. She was ICT manager at two schools, so is using her computer skills to develop the business website.

She said: “The recent NICE report (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) bears out what we teach - which is management before medication – especially in young children with ADHD.

“We teach parents, families and professionals how to manage ADHD and how to make the best of the positive aspects of the condition. There are many strategies which can be used to maximise the potential of these children, which is huge.

"We are also ADHD coaches affiliated to IAAC, and we coach adults with the condition. It has been assumed until recently that children grow out of ADHD, this is not so. The condition is 80% hereditable so if you have a child with ADHD you usually have a family with ADHD, with several members of the family affected. There are many positive traits like resilience, lateral thinking and creativity.

"We teach professionals, adults, teachers and children how to maximise the positives and minimise the disadvantages which include distractibility, impulsivity and organisational difficulties. Whatever time in life you discover that you have ADHD there are many positive things which can be done to maximise your innate and incredibly creative potential.”

Mags was working recently in Portsmouth and her next seminar is in Romford, London.