In his paper Exclusion from school and attention –deficit/hyperactivity disorder Fintan O’Regan presents an opinion of the ways in which schools should consider the management of pupils who challenge the education system. In so doing he focuses upon "within pupil" problems and suggests that there is a specific population that presents difficulties to school. This paper challenges O'Regan's views and places an alternative emphasis upon ecological factors which, if addressed may lessen the perceived difficulties presented by some children