We’re here for you.

Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.

ADHD

Understanding ADHD in Your

Child
By The Understood Team
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.
What You'll Learn
Signs of ADHD

Finding Out Your Child Has ADHD

How Professionals Can Help With ADHD

How You Can Help Your Child With ADHD

ADHD is a very common condition in kids and adults. But

kids who have it are often misunderstood. You may not yet
know if your child has ADHD (also called ADD). But if your
child has trouble with focus, or is hyperactive and
impulsive, there are many ways to help at school and at
home.

One of the myths about ADHD is that it’s not a “real” thing.
Some people think kids are just being lazy or lack
willpower. But ADHD is a biological condition caused by
differences in certain areas of the brain. It also runs in
families.

Get a one-page fact sheet on ADHD.

This overview can help you learn the basics about ADHD
and lead you to more in-depth information. If you’re
concerned your child has ADHD, here are steps you can
take. And if your child was just diagnosed with ADHD, find
out what to do next.
 Signs of ADHD
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.

Everyone shows signs of ADHD at one time or another. But

kids with ADHD struggle a lot more with them than other
kids their age. The key symptom is trouble with focus. Many
kids also struggle with self-control or are hyperactive.

Explore a day in the life of a child with

ADHD.

ADHD is a problem with a group of skills called executive

function. These skills include organization and managing
emotions, which are usually a struggle for kids with ADHD.

ADHD doesn’t look the same in all kids. And signs look
different at different ages. Some may even disappear as
kids get older, even though ADHD doesn’t go away.

There’s one confusing sign of ADHD. Kids who have trouble

focusing most of the time can often “hyperfocus” or focus
very well on things they find really interesting. For example,
they might focus for hours on playing a sport but for only a
few minutes on doing homework.

Here are some signs of ADHD you might see in different

grades.

Preschool–Grade 2

Ignores directions or doesn’t follow them

Grabs things without permission
Needs to be frequently reminded to stop and listen
Gets up, fidgets, or talks when expected to be quiet
 Grades 3–7
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.

Seems daydreamy and distracted, and easily loses

focus
Often loses or forgets things
Is often restless
Doesn’t think about consequences before doing
things

Teens

Has trouble getting organized and prioritizing things

Acts impulsively or does risky things
Fidgets and talks too much
Has trouble meeting deadlines and finishing tasks

Find out what hyperactivity can look like in teens with

ADHD.

Dive Deeper

See a full list of signs of ADHD in kids of different

ages.
Experience what ADHD is like for kids.
Learn how boys may experience ADHD versus how
girls often experience it.

Finding Out Your Child Has

ADHD
There aren’t any medical tests for ADHD. So evaluators use
other methods to diagnose it. They ask parents to fill out
detailed questionnaires about their child’s behavior.
(Teachers may also get a questionnaire.)

Evaluators also interview kids and their parents or

caregivers. They ask for a detailed history of the child’s
health. They also ask about how the child functions at
school, at home, and in social situations.
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.

Watch as TV star Wendy Davis talks

about raising a child with ADHD.

There are different types of professionals who diagnose

ADHD in kids. They mostly work outside of schools, and
many can look for other conditions that kids with ADHD
often have. Two of the most common are anxiety and
learning differences.

Kids can also get a free evaluation at school. This type of

evaluation won’t lead to a diagnosis of ADHD. But it can
pick up on some of the challenges that kids with ADHD
have.

Dive Deeper

Watch as an expert explains how ADHD is diagnosed.

Learn what goes into an ADHD evaluation.
Read about the connection between ADHD and
anxiety.

How Professionals Can Help

With ADHD
There are a few treatment options for ADHD. Different
professionals help with different ones.

Health care providers can prescribe and monitor

medications for ADHD. They also fine-tune or switch
medications until they find the right prescription for a
child. Experts agree that medication is the most effective
treatment for most kids with ADHD.
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.

Meet Pierson, a 12-year-old boy with

ADHD who loves to dance.

Mental health professionals help kids and families

understand and cope with ADHD. Some may do behavior
therapy. This is a reward system to help turn negative
behaviors and habits into positive ones.

And school psychologists can help create plans to give

kids with ADHD extra support at school. For example, a
child might get accommodations to make it easier to focus
in class.

Dive Deeper

Read about ADHD treatment.

Learn about alternative treatments for ADHD.
See a list of professionals who help with ADHD.

How You Can Help Your

Child With ADHD
Kids can learn to manage ADHD symptoms and thrive.
Supporting your child starts with understanding what
ADHD is and what it isn’t.

You can also:

Discover simple ways to improve your child’s focus.

Find a fidget that fits your child’s needs.
Get tips for helping your child follow directions.
Help your child manage screen time and cell phone
use.

For more ideas, explore ADHD strategies to try at home.

 And find out what a mom wishes others knew about
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.
parenting a child with ADHD.

There’s an important piece of supporting your child that

doesn’t have to do with skills. ADHD can have a big impact
on self-esteem. You can help your child feel better about
having ADHD, and be optimistic that things can get better.
Just knowing you’re there to help can make a big
difference.

Key Takeaways
ADHD is common in kids.

ADHD isn’t a problem of laziness or willpower.

With the right support, kids with ADHD can thrive.

Share

About the Author

The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers, editors,

and community moderators. Many of them learn and think
differently, or have kids who do.

Did you find this

 Yes No
helpful?
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.

Stay informed
Sign up for weekly emails containing helpful resources for you
and your family.

Email address
We’re here for you. Find our latest COVID-19 resources that can help at home, at school, and at work.

Subscribe

By signing up, you acknowledge that you reside in the United States and are at least 13 years old,
and agree that you've read the Terms and Conditions. Understood.org does not market to or
offer services to individuals in the European Union.

About us Our mission Join our team Our experts

Media center Contact us Our partners

Privacy policy Terms of use Sitemap

Follow Us

Copyright © 2014–2020 Understood For All Inc. All rights reserved. “Understood” and
related logos are trademarks of Understood For All Inc. and are used with permission.
This website provides information of a general nature and is designed for information
and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.
Understood is a nonprofit initiative. Understood does not and will not take money from
pharmaceutical companies. We do not market to or offer services to individuals in the
European Union. For more information, please review the Terms and Conditions.
 “Understood” as used above includes Understood For All Inc., and their officers, affiliates,
parents,
We’re here for you. Find ourand related
latest entities, and
COVID-19 their respective
resources that canemployees, contractors,
help at home, or other
at school, and at work.
personnel.

Understood For All Inc.

145 Hudson Street, Suite 5B
New York, NY 10013–2150
Media inquiries: media@understood.org (preferred) or (516) 654-7584