An Examination of Social Work Students' Knowledge of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurological disorder that many citizens of the United States of America know little about. About 3% to 5% of school age children are diagnosed with ADHD (Segal, 2001; Sprich, Biederman, & Crawford, 2000). Due to the prevalence of ADHD, individuals who work with children diagnosed with ADHD must understand the implications of this diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to explore social work students' knowledge of ADHD. To examine their knowledge, 48 social work students completed a research packet that asked them what they knew about ADHD. The findings of this study were unanticipated. For example, only three (6%) of the 48 students who completed the research packet knew how pervasive ADHD was in the general population. However, 33 (69%) of the participants knew someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD. As social work practitioners work with individuals, families, agencies, and communities, there is a strong probability that they will encounter clients who have been diagnosed with ADHD. The findings of this study suggest that schools of social work need to consider integrating relevant information about ADHD into their curriculum.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2004

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Turnage, Barbara

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Health and Public Affairs

Degree Program

Social Work

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Health and Public Affairs; Health and Public Affairs -- Dissertations, Academic; Attention deficit disordered youth -- Education; Social work education

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0021872

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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