ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a lifelong condition. It can be diagnosed in children or adults. ADHD can show up in a variety of different ways.
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ADHD generally falls into one of three categories:
Someone with hyperactive and impulsive ADHD can be very physically active.
This can include:
Someone with inattentive ADHD finds it difficult to maintain attention
This might mean:
This type of ADHD used to be diagnosed as ADD.
Many people display symptoms of both types, and are likely to be diagnosed with Combined type ADHD.
Girls often show more symptoms of inattentive ADHD than hyperactive ADHD. This can make it harder to spot the signs.
As well as the signs above, ADHD in girls might mean your child:
Girls might be less likely to have behavioural issues.
As with the other signs, these things will not always mean your child has ADHD.
No-one knows exactly what causes ADHD, but some evidence suggests it may run in families. If your child has ADHD, biological relatives might consider their own diagnosis.
Some ADHD behaviours are a normal part of child development and learning. They do not always mean your child has ADHD.
It can be difficult to tell whether your child has ADHD, particularly when they are very young. It’s ok to take time to build up a full picture.
Try not to compare your child’s behaviour to other children’s when looking out for ADHD. Everyone develops in different ways. The behaviour you see in other children is also only a small part of what that child is experiencing.
If you still need more evidence of whether your child has ADHD, try keeping a record. Write down things that happen that make you think they might have ADHD. You can use this to spot patterns, and share it with medical professionals.
We have tips on supporting a child with ADHD. You don’t need a diagnosis to try things that might help your child’s emotions. Keep listening and talking to your child. A diagnosis might come later.
Your child’s behaviours might not be so obvious in school. This could be because they are not presenting what many think of as the ‘classic signs’ of ADHD. You might also feel that your child is hiding their symptoms when at school. This is known as masking.
If you think that the school is not picking up on the signs that you are, speak to the school. Ask them to make observations of these signs.
If you think your child is struggling in some of the above areas, you can speak to:
A doctor can refer your child for an assessment,if you both agree that your child needs one.
You can also try keeping a behaviour diary. You can use this information when you talk to your doctor.
If your child’s teachers or other professionals don’t see the same things that you are worried about, it can be harder to get a diagnosis.
If your child is still very young, you could keep a diary and revisit things with professionals when your child is older.
Otherwise, you could get a second opinion or a private diagnosis.
Organisations offering support with the diagnosis process include:
ADHD brains work differently. It’s important to understand why your child might behave a certain way, and what they need from you at home.
Read our advice on supporting a child with ADHD.
The ADHD Foundation also have advice on getting the right support.
This advice was written by our experienced Parent Talk coaches. Parent Talk is a free online service for parents and carers, provided by the charity Action for Children. For more advice, message our parenting coaches with our online chat.
