Elementary School Teachers' Knowledge of Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, & Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Effects of Teacher Training

This study examined elementary school teachers' knowledge about Tourette syndrome and the related conditions of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) before and after a 2-h teacher training workshop. Teachers (n = 134) from five schools participated in the knowledge assessment. Fifty two (52) teachers completed a post-test 6 weeks later. At Time 1, teachers' knowledge about Tourette syndrome and related conditions was variable. Knowledge did not appear to be affected by teachers' age, gender, years of teaching or prior experience with these disorders. Teachers who attended the workshop showed an average 5% increase in knowledge (p < .001). Teachers who scored below the median on pretest showed a 12% increase on the post-test. That the 2-h workshop showed greatest benefit for teachers who scored lower on pre-test, suggests that staff training could be guided by pre-test results.