Citation

Honkasilta J, Vehkakoski T. Emot. Behav. Diffic. 2019; 24(3): 273-286.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13632752.2019.1609269

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study presents co-narrated school experiences of a young Finnish girl diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and those of her parents. The discourse analysis of the family interview focused on the discrepant ways family members gave meanings to and mobilised the ADHD categorisation while narrating their broken school trajectory. The results showed that the ADHD diagnosis was laden with the promise of the whole family being recognised differently by the school. However, this cultural promise proved disillusioning as daughter's support needs and parents' expertise were not recognised nor did the diagnostic category emancipate from stigmatising identities and blame. Interestingly, the parents leaned more on the diagnostic categorisation while accounting for the disillusion of these promises, whereas the daughter aimed at distancing herself from the ADHD category and behaviour characteristics related to it. The discussion concludes by comparing the viewpoints of cure and care when catering to children's needs.

Language: en

Keywords

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); child; discourse analysis; parent