ADHD Support at PVHS

ADHD awareness has grown from one day a year to the full month of October. ADHD, a brain disorder, affects around 9% of teenagers ranging from grades 9 to 10 in California. 

ADHD can affect a student’s ability to focus, pay attention and to make friends and social connections. 

“Depending on the type of ADHD the student has, their learning can be positively or negatively affected,” counselor Annie Yu said. 

“With the traditional school schedule, sitting down for hours can lead to a lack of focus, especially in students with ADHD. However, students with ADHD can often find something they’re passionate about and really hone in on that interest.” 

At PVHS, there are many resources to help support students with ADHD, their families and their teachers. 

PVHS has a lot of specialized support that can be tailored to the student’s needs. 

“The student can always let the school or counselor know if help is needed. They then can provide a strategy and further resources depending on the needs of the student,” Yu said. 

“Some examples of resources are SAGE counselors, school psychiatrists and, if needed, supplies to help direct focus more successfully in the classroom.” 

The SAGE program is a school-based therapy program with student support specialists. 

“SAGE can help with social and emotional issues that come up at PVHS,” SAGE counselor Lilie Frandsen said. 

“The program can also help students learn about their ADHD in a safe environment to provide resources and solutions.” 

PVHS also supports psychologists who can work on ADHD-specific strategies, based on what works for the individual student. 

“A session with me usually starts with a check-in if there is anything new to share or discuss,” school psychologist Thomas Nunan said. 

“It then varies depending on what is needed for the student, such as anxiety reduction, social or coping skills, etc. We then end the session with either a fun game or a random question to finish things off. I love seeing students grow and feel independent enough to eventually stop seeing me,” he said. 

As a school, we can raise awareness and remove the stigma around this issue by educating ourselves on ADHD to better help and understand this condition. 

“Part of it is for our school administration and counselors to educate students around ADHD,” Yu said, “and to let our community know that everyone is different and may need different kinds of support.”