Teachers Reaction to a Tailored Incredible Years Classroom Management Programme for Children with ADHD Symptoms in Addis Ababa

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a persistent pattern of behaviours characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Teaching children with ADHD is more stressful than teaching children without the disorder. This study examines teachers reaction towards a tailored Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management programme aimed to enhance classroom management skills of a group of 10 teachers of children with ADHD symptoms in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is the first study to evaluate the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management programme in African context. A one-group posttest-only experimental design was implemented. Ten teachers received the tailored Incredible Years Teacher training in a full-day session once a week for six weeks. The teachers drafted intervention plans at each session and implemented the strategies the following weeks in their classrooms. The teachers participated in an individual coaching sessions every week to help with implementation of the learned strategies and assess their level of performance. The teachers completed various structured and semi-structured questionnaires at the end of the intervention. The result of the study indicated that teachers were satisfied with the delivery of the programme; its content and practicality. Teachers reported that they were happy with the effects of the programme on children’s behaviour in the classroom. The teachers also indicated that they would recommend the programme to other colleagues. In light of the findings, teachers’ reaction, limitations and implications for future research were discussed.