Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Musical Behaviour – the Significance of Context and Implications for Pedagogy

The focus for the presentation is in (a) reporting the nature and incidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), (b) offering an understanding of how engaging successfully in music can modify and reduce ADHD behaviour and (c) exploring the implications for music pedagogy in general and singing in particular.

According to the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, August 2023), the global prevalence of ADHD in children is estimated as around 5%, although US studies report a higher incidence of 8-10% of young people.

Concerning the nature of ADHD, it tends to be reported more in boys than girls - a sex ratio that is in line with other types of special needs, such as autism­. In adults, the reported proportion tends to be lower at 3-4%, and still with a bias towards males of 3:1. The incidence is also reported to be associated with poverty, lower family income and social class. In adults, it is more prevalent in the unemployed, those with disabilities and those with mental health issues.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Of these three types, the inattentive subtype accounts for 20-30% of cases, and the hyperactive-impulsive subtype accounts for around 15% of cases, whereas the combination of all three accounts for 50-75% of cases (BMJ Best Practice, 2023). Negative impacts of ADHD are often reported in academic performance, emotional and cognitive functioning, and peer relationships.

The presentation will report evidence of recent research into ADHD and music education, highlighting the potential benefits of structured personalised music education (Wilde & Welch, 2022) and also music therapy (Martin-Maratinos et al, 2023). The research findings suggest that, notwithstanding ADHD-related symptoms, individuals can engage successfully in music and acquire musical skills. Moreover, ADHD is not a static condition in music, but variable according to pedagogical and musical context.