Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristics of ADHDADHD EvaluationTreatment OptionsParenting StrategiesSchool StrategiesNext in ADHD GuideSymptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Table of Contents
Characteristics of ADHD
ADHD Evaluation
Treatment Options
Parenting Strategies
School Strategies
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A short attention span andhigh energy leveldon’t necessarily mean yourchildhas ADHD—there are many reasons why kids may be hyper or have trouble concentrating. However, some kids struggle more than others to sit still and pay attention, and it causes problems for them in their daily lives if it is not accommodated properly.
If you have a child who seems to bounce off the walls or who can’t focus long enough to get work done, it’s wise to be curious about thepossibility of ADHD.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
At a GlanceADHD does not need to be “cured” or “fixed.” Instead, it is important that it is accommodated and supported. If parents and children have enough affirming and accepting information about ADHD, they can work together for the child to thrive.
At a Glance
ADHD does not need to be “cured” or “fixed.” Instead, it is important that it is accommodated and supported. If parents and children have enough affirming and accepting information about ADHD, they can work together for the child to thrive.
Just like adults, children may present with one of three types of ADHD:
To meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD, symptoms must interfere with a child’s daily life in some form.For example, an inattentive child may struggle to understand homework assignments because they weren’t paying attention in class. Or a hyperactive child may have difficulty finishing their classwork because high energy levels make it hard to sit still.
ADHD may be diagnosed as early as preschool. By definition, characteristics must be present prior to the age of 12 years.
ADHD Is a Form of Neurodivergence
It is important to understand that ADHD is a form of neurodivergence. While it is recognized as a disability, this is due to the fact that the neurotypical society in which we live does not appropriately accommodate ADHD characteristics.
While people with ADHD experience challenges because society is neurotypical-centric, ADHD brains possess many strengths.
Folks who have ADHD need accommodations for the disabilities from their traits and get the support they need to utilize their strengths most effectively.
Kids with ADHD may respond in certain ways because of poor accommodations, unmet needs, communication problems, and trauma responses. By better understanding their child’s neurotypes, strengths, and needs, parents can provide better support to help their kids flourish.
If you or your child’s teacher suspects your child may have ADHD, it’s important to seek an evaluation if accommodations are needed. Early intervention may potentially prevent the emergence of further distress and trauma for the child.
There isn’t a specific lab test that is used to diagnose ADHD. Instead, a pediatrician or mental health professional can evaluate a child’s traits and determine if the criteria are met. Several methods are often used to obtain information about a child’s behavior.
It is important to note that these approaches take a traditional medical approach that sees ADHD as a condition that requires treatment. These assessments focus on viewing ADHD characteristics from the lens of a neurotypical perspective.
While these tools are commonly used, consider seeking an evaluation from a neurodiversity-affirming mental health practitioner. A provider who has an understanding of ADHD or who has lived experience as an individual with ADHD can provide affirming support without pathologizing the characteristics of ADHD.
What to Bring
You may also be asked to bring the following items with you to the evaluation:
Any adult in a supervisory role to your child may also be asked to fill out forms, which you should bring with you to the evaluation if asked. You may be asked to provide your doctor with written consent to contact these individuals as well.
How Is ADHD Diagnosed?
Supporting Children With ADHD
Sometimes parents are hesitant to discuss concerns about ADHD because they fear children will be put on medication with terrible side effects. The good news is there are several differenttypes of medications(such asConcerta,Clonidine, and Strattera) available for ADHD.
There are also many othertypes of supportthat don’t involve medication.Parent support can be very effective. This involves helping parents learn more about neurodiversity and how to accommodate their child’s brain and traits.
School accommodations can also be helpful for your child.Sometimes, simple strategies—such as having a child sit near the front of the classroom to reduce distractions—can be beneficial.
A school psychologist ormental health professionalmay be able to make suggestions to assist teachers in providing a child with a learning environment that can reduce symptoms of ADHD.
The 7 Best Online Therapy Programs for Kids
Raising a child with ADHD can be stressful. Because society does not accommodate ADHD, parents often have to put in more effort to get school accommodations for their children. Parenting a child with a different neurotype can also create stress when parents don’t have the information they need about how to best support their child.
Children with ADHD also tend to have higher rates of accidental injuries.They might get injured from falls off furniture after climbing, falling, or jumping out of windows or off decks, unbuckling restraints and standing up in the car or stroller, or even accidentally drinking poison, resulting in more emergency room visits.
They often require constant supervision and more structure than other children. Here are a fewbehavior modification strategiesthat are often taught in parent support programs:
9 Fun Activities for Kids With ADHD
Strategies for School
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s important for parents, teachers, and healthcare providers to work together to help the child succeed in school.Here are some other tools that could be helpful:
It may also be helpful to create checklists that remind them of what they should pack in their backpack each day. Then, they’ll require fewer reminders from you to be responsible.
Your child’s teacher, guidance counselor, and therapist may be able to assist you in developing the best plan to help your child succeed academically.
Parents With ADHD Raising Children With ADHD
7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kieling R, Rohde LA.ADHD in children and adults: Diagnosis and prognosis.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2012;9:1-16. doi: 10.1007/7854_2010_115Hamed AM, Kauer AJ, Stevens HE.Why the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder matters.Front Psychiatry. 2015;6:168. Published 2015 Nov 26. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00168Posner J, Polanczyk GV, Sonuga-Barke E.Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.Lancet. 2020;395(10222):450-462. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)33004-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.Fleming M, Fitton CA, Steiner MFC, et al.Educational and health outcomes of children treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(7):e170691. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0691Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use rewards.Pfiffner LJ, Haack LM.Behavior management for school-aged children with ADHD.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014;23(4):731–746. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2014.05.014Additional ReadingWolraich ML, Hagan JF, Allan C, et al.Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2019;144(4). doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kieling R, Rohde LA.ADHD in children and adults: Diagnosis and prognosis.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2012;9:1-16. doi: 10.1007/7854_2010_115Hamed AM, Kauer AJ, Stevens HE.Why the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder matters.Front Psychiatry. 2015;6:168. Published 2015 Nov 26. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00168Posner J, Polanczyk GV, Sonuga-Barke E.Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.Lancet. 2020;395(10222):450-462. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)33004-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.Fleming M, Fitton CA, Steiner MFC, et al.Educational and health outcomes of children treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(7):e170691. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0691Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use rewards.Pfiffner LJ, Haack LM.Behavior management for school-aged children with ADHD.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014;23(4):731–746. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2014.05.014Additional ReadingWolraich ML, Hagan JF, Allan C, et al.Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2019;144(4). doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kieling R, Rohde LA.ADHD in children and adults: Diagnosis and prognosis.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2012;9:1-16. doi: 10.1007/7854_2010_115Hamed AM, Kauer AJ, Stevens HE.Why the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder matters.Front Psychiatry. 2015;6:168. Published 2015 Nov 26. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00168Posner J, Polanczyk GV, Sonuga-Barke E.Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.Lancet. 2020;395(10222):450-462. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)33004-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.Fleming M, Fitton CA, Steiner MFC, et al.Educational and health outcomes of children treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(7):e170691. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0691Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use rewards.Pfiffner LJ, Haack LM.Behavior management for school-aged children with ADHD.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014;23(4):731–746. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2014.05.014
Kieling R, Rohde LA.ADHD in children and adults: Diagnosis and prognosis.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2012;9:1-16. doi: 10.1007/7854_2010_115
Hamed AM, Kauer AJ, Stevens HE.Why the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder matters.Front Psychiatry. 2015;6:168. Published 2015 Nov 26. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00168
Posner J, Polanczyk GV, Sonuga-Barke E.Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.Lancet. 2020;395(10222):450-462. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)33004-1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.
Fleming M, Fitton CA, Steiner MFC, et al.Educational and health outcomes of children treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(7):e170691. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0691
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use rewards.
Pfiffner LJ, Haack LM.Behavior management for school-aged children with ADHD.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2014;23(4):731–746. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2014.05.014
Wolraich ML, Hagan JF, Allan C, et al.Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.Pediatrics. 2019;144(4). doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528
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