A DUMBARTON mum who says her young son has been targeted by school bullies has appealed to parents to educate their children on the behavioural impact of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Kirsteen Williamson’s son Steven - who attends St Peter’s Primary - has ADHD, and has been victimised and bullied throughout his time there, leaving him with no friends and feeling isolated.

But it was an incident last Wednesday afternoon, which left Steven with a bruise on his thigh after being kicked, that has prompted sparked Kirsteen to speak out about the need to educate parents and children on ADHD and the impact it has on children with the disorder.

Speaking to the Reporter, Kirsteen said that she believes Steven, nine, has been bullied because some children at St Peter’s see him as “different and an easy target”.

She added: “Steven came home from school on Wednesday crying because two children attacked him when he left the school. He has a massive bruise on his thigh.

“They call him names and, because he reacts in a different way to other children, and when goaded into a rage he can lash out.

“But this is because of his ADHD. It is out with his control and I have taught him that to hit other people is wrong and he must never raise his hands to anyone.

“So it shocked me when I found out that other children had hit him, I don’t think children fully understand what bullying does to a child and how it can hurt them.

“Steven feels like he can’t tell on them and he comes home in tears to me quite often.

“He doesn’t have a friend in the world, and in all his years at primary he has never been invited to a single birthday party. It is heartbreaking.”

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterised by a group of behavioural symptoms that include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behaviour and hyperactivity.

Teachers at St Peter’s Primary have been are great and supportive with at helping Steven when in school and if he has a “meltdown” they are on hand to calm him down, Kirsteen told the Reporter.

West Dunbartonshire Council said the school was working constructively with Kirsteen and Steven, but declined to comment further publicly.

Kirsteen says she is aware teachers are not always around and incidents can happen, and said the school is not at fault for this.

Writing an open letter to parents at Steven’s school on Facebook has helped Kirsteen try and spread the message about ADHD.

She posted: “I am writing this to appeal to you all as parents, to educate your children that other children whilst different may be different due to factors out with their control.

“Put yourself in my shoes and imagine now that your child doesn’t have a friend in the world, imagine them coming home from school every day with reports of mental and physical bullying from other boys and girls.

“Imagine they have a disorder that they cannot control, how then would you do your job as a parent, how do you protect your child from all the hurt?

“I implore you all to have a look at the links with regard to ADHD and have a chat with your child, show them Steven’s picture and ask them how they see him, then explain in the best way you can that Steven is not different because he chooses to be, he is different because his brain is wired in a different fashion.”

Kirsteen has also suggested she has a meeting with parents at St Peter’s to try and help everyone understand what makes her son different and how to help him.

ADHD is more common in boys than girls. It’s thought that around two per cent to five per cent of school-aged children in the UK may have the condition.

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “The council would not wish to comment publicly on what is a personal matter that is being progressed constructively between the family and the school staff.

“The council has clear guidelines for all its staff to ensure they are skilled and support promoting positive relationships, and address any pupil issues in schools.

“All schools have experience in helping and supporting pupils with ADHD to ensure they have a positive environment where they can learn and thrive.”