What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental or neurodivergent condition. It affects the way someone thinks, feels and behaves. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

If your child has ADHD, they may struggle with remembering and organising things. Or with regulating their attention and energy. They may also show strengths such as being especially energetic, spontaneous or enthusiastic about a hobby or interest. Helping your child to manage ADHD at home and school can be challenging as a parent or carer. But the right diagnosis and support can make a big difference to your child’s learning and relationships, as well as making family life easier.

Common signs of ADHD

A child with ADHD may find it difficult to manage their attention, which can look like:

• being easily distracted
• finding it difficult to start or finish tasks
• feeling unable to concentrate sometimes
• finding it hard to process or remember what someone is saying
• finding it hard to follow instructions
• forgetting things or being late

They may also show differences in their energy, including:

• often fidgeting, squirming or moving around
• finding it hard to stay still when asked to
• being very talkative or noisy, or interrupting conversations
• seeming impulsive or risk-taking – for example a younger child might find it hard not to climb on things that aren’t safe
• often being ‘on the go’ or seeming full of energy

Remember that these behaviours can be normal for younger children, especially if they’re under 5. Children and young people can also behave in these ways when they’re tired, stressed or have been through something traumatic.

ADHD signs often start in early childhood. But they may become more noticeable during big changes, such as starting or moving school. Age and gender can also affect how someone with ADHD behaves. This can make it harder to spot some of the signs. For example, ADHD symptoms in girls are more likely to be missed or wrongly diagnosed as something else.

• ADHD Support for your child