Children with mental health disorders will be evaluated in a nationwide research programme to improve care in schools and increase understanding among teachers.
Research is under way by the Ministry of Health and Prevention to create new care solutions for children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Children with ADHD often have problems paying attention in class, fidgeting with hands and feet and struggling to complete assigned work.
Symptoms can be difficult to diagnose, with children often passed off as naughty, rather than accepted as having a mental disorder.
The ministry launched a research agenda for 2018-19 to glean a greater understanding of the impact of ADHD in schools, and how teachers can be better educated to spot the signs.
“Research like this was started in the UK 50 years ago, so it is something that is needed to get an accurate reflection of ADHD in the UAE,” said Dr Haneen Jarrar, a child psychologist at the Camali Clinic in Dubai.
“Schools in general are becoming better at realising these children need help but things can always improve.”
Studies aim to determine how common ADHD is in the UAE and how accurately the condition is diagnosed by physicians.
Three research projects began this year and will run until the end of 2019, with specialists, physicians, and researchers collaborating with Al Amal Hospital and the Ministry's Statistics and Research Centre.
“To improve mental health services, the agenda seeks to provide solutions that can detect mental disorders at an early stage,” said Dr Youssef Al Serkal, assistant undersecretary for the ministry’s hospitals sector.
“We will aim to update our statistical databases and promote scientific research through diagnostic surveys and providing care based on best clinical practices.”
Dr Al Serkal said any research carried out would ensure the privacy of child patients and their families.
ADHD occurs when the frontal lobe of the brain that is responsible for planning impulse control and emotional relations is under developed.
About 3-5 per cent of American children are thought to have ADHD, although exact numbers of how many children in the UAE may have the disorder are not available.
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“This research will ensure more patients are identified and treated, enabling them to lead as fulfilling and inclusive lives as possible,” said Dr Walid Abdul-Hamid, psychiatrist and clinical director, at the Priory Wellbeing Centre, Dubai.
“Research has shown children are more at risk of developing ADHD if they have relatives — such as a parent or a sibling — with ADHD or another mental health disorder.”
ADHD is a long-term mental health problem that usually starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood.
At least 25 per cent of children with ADHD will still have symptoms by the age of 30.
Its effects are far-reaching and can negatively impact relationships, work and school performance, in turn leading to low self-esteem and feelings of failure.
Medication can decrease hyperactivity and increase attention.
Ritalin and Dexedrine are common drugs prescribed by doctors, but users have reported side effects including anxiety, insomnia and mild depression.
Speech therapy, occupational therapy and learning support are also offered to children diagnosed with ADHD at the Camali Clinic.
“Currently, a child will be referred to us by the school rather than a GP,” said Dr Jarrar.
“This usually happens when a child is not learning in school, or has problems with attention or aggression.
“We will do an assessment to see if the child’s functioning is affected and may require medication or another course of therapy.”
Medication is closely monitored to ensure a child is not being given too much, or too little dosage and to ensure side effects are not outweighing the benefits.
Results of the nationwide research will be publicly available on the ministry’s website when the work concludes.
“ADHD can be managed and lived with, and should not become a major issue if treated correctly,” Dr Jarrar said.
“We need to teach a child how to function in a school and society.
“Teachers are becoming much better at recognising if a child has a difficulty, rather than just being naughty.”
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In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
RESULTS
2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Masaali, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m. Winner: Almoreb, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m. Winner: Imprison, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m. Winner: Raahy, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m. Winner: Cross The Ocean, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m. Winner: Sa’Ada, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash.
Results
2.30pm: Dubai Creek Tower – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Marmara Xm, Gary Sanchez (jockey), Abdelkhir Adam (trainer)
3pm: Al Yasmeen – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: AS Hajez, Jesus Rosales, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.30pm: Al Ferdous – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Soukainah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
4pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah – Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: AF Thayer, Ray Dawson, Ernst Oertel
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup – Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: George Villiers, Antonio Fresu, Bhupat Seemar
5pm: Palma Spring – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Es Abu Mousa, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
RESULTS
5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA) Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA) Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB) Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Boerhan, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA) Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA) Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Messi, Pat Dobbs, Timo Keersmaekers
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA) Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
