Supporting Children with ADHD

Almost every child or young person will have times when their behaviour appears to veer out of control. Other times are characterised by "daydreaming" or an inability to complete a task.

For some children, these occurrences are more than frequent: so much so that daily routines and everyday tasks are disrupted, as are the relationships with those around them. In fact, impulsive behaviour could put themselves and others at risk of harm.

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.

Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school.

Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood.

People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.

Symptoms of ADHD:

The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be categorised into 2 types of behavioural problems:

inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
hyperactivity and impulsiveness

Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)

The main signs of inattentiveness are:

having a short attention span and being easily distracted
making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
appearing forgetful or losing things
being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
constantly changing activity or task
having difficulty organising tasks
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness

The main signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are:

being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
constantly fidgeting
being unable to concentrate on tasks
excessive physical movement
excessive talking
being unable to wait their turn
acting without thinking
interrupting conversations
little or no sense of danger

These symptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such as underachievement at school, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and problems with discipline.

For more information, please click on the link below:

NHS ADHD

If you have a child with ADHD or suspect your child has ADHD, please discuss your situation with friends, family, educational people or medical professions.