ADHD in Kids and Teens

ADHD begins in childhood, a pivotal time for developing self-esteem and interpersonal skills. By helping kids understand their ADHD, they can learn to manage their challenges and nourish their gifts.

How ADHD Affects Kids and Teens

For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, a qualified healthcare practitioner must determine that they meet at least six of the criteria laid out by the American Psychiatric Association.

Symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity will look different depending on a person’s age and daily routine. For children, common experiences include:

Difficulty in school due to:

Fidgeting, restlessness, inability to remain seated
Talking too much, interrupting, blurting out answers
Excessive daydreaming, trouble paying attention to their teacher
Difficulty planning, starting, and/or finishing tasks (classwork, homework, etc.)
Lack of organization skills, regularly losing items

Difficulty making or keeping friends due to:

Missing social cues, going off-topic, oversharing / lacking a filter
Not taking turns, having trouble sharing
Extreme emotional responses, overreacting

Difficulty at home due to:

Intolerance for “boring” tasks like tidying and homework
Throwing tantrums, feeling easily angered and frustrated
Difficulty with transitions, like bedtime and getting ready for school

Although these are common experiences, ADHD is a complex condition that cannot be summarized by a list of symptoms alone. For example, a child who performs well academically and/or socially can still have ADHD. Conversely, a child who has academic and social challenges does not necessarily have ADHD. To determine whether a child has ADHD, parents/guardians should seek the advice of a qualified mental health professional who specializes in ADHD.

Treating ADHD in Kids and Teens

Children and adolescents with ADHD require treatment plans that are tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Many will benefit from ADHD coaching and therapy, and in some cases, medication.

Seeking the advice of a qualified ADHD specialist, such as a licensed therapist or physician, is the first step you can take toward helping your child manage the challenges of ADHD.

Learn more about the different types of ADHD treatment

Education and Support for Parents

As the parent of a child with ADHD, you play a critical role in your child’s progress. How you respond to your child’s behavioral challenges has a big effect on their ability to develop life skills and self-esteem. Although it’s not always easy, it’s important to provide the structure and support they need.

Parent Education and Coaching
One of the best treatments for ADHD is education. Parent coaches teach parents how ADHD affects the brain and provide practical strategies for how to reduce conflicts at home. They help parents understand why a child behaves the way they do so that they can take a proactive and empathetic approach to behavioral challenges.

Parent Support Groups
ADHD parent support groups are an opportunity to connect with other parents of children with ADHD and grow your support network. Support groups, held both in-person and online, can help you feel less alone in your journey and provide you with a community to turn to in challenging times. They are also a source of hands-on tactics and strategies that have worked for other parents.

Therapy for Parents
Raising a child who has ADHD can be exhausting and overwhelming. In tending to the needs of your child, it can be easy to neglect your own wellbeing. Making sure that you get the support you need isn’t only important for your own mental health, but for your entire family. Therapy can help you cope with the emotional impact of raising a child with ADHD.

Common Questions

Preschoolers as young as four years old can be evaluated for ADHD. The minimum age that a child can be prescribed stimulant medication for ADHD is six years old.
Please note, at our Hallowell Todaro Center in California, we don't diagnose or prescribe medication to children under 8 years old.
Learn more about the diagnostic process.
Learn more about diagnostic evaluations at the Hallowell Todaro Center.
As awareness of ADHD has grown, schools have become much better at supporting students with ADHD and other learning differences. Speak to your child’s school about their diagnosis and ask what systems they have in place for supporting kids with ADHD. Talk to the school about setting up a custom IEP (Individual Education Program) or 504 Plan so that they can receive accommodations, such as extra time for assignments, more breaks, and the ability to use technology to assist their learning.
Advocating for your child’s needs at school is an important part of ensuring they stay on track academically while also helping them feel confident and enjoy learning. For a child, having a positive association with school and learning is what’s most important. This outlook will serve them well as they grow into adolescence when tests and grades matter more.
As a parent, you can also help your child understand that everyone learns differently. Work with them to identify the ways in which they prefer to learn. Encourage and nurture their interests with learning activities outside of school, such as visiting museums, conducting home science experiments, or going on nature walks. Show them that learning can happen everywhere and cleverness is about more than straight As.
You may also choose to get additional educational support. Academic coaches and tutors are also a good resource for students with ADHD who benefit from learning outside of a classroom setting.
Talk openly with your child about the social situations they encounter. Let them take the lead and validate their feelings while offering simple, brief suggestions on ways they can approach similar situations in the future. If you witness your child being aggressive with another child, intervene and make sure they know that behavior is not OK. Be consistent and model appropriate behavior as best you can.
Look into structured social settings in which your child might thrive, such as sports teams, art classes, and outdoor camps. Let the coach/teacher/camp counselor know that your child has ADHD ahead of time so that they can better accommodate their needs.
If you haven’t already, consider having your child meet regularly with an ADHD coach and/or therapist who can help them work through both the practical and emotional components of making and maintaining friendships.
ADHD medication is considered safe and effective for children 6 and older. As Dr. Hallowell says, when used properly under medical supervision, ADHD medication “works as safely and dramatically as eyeglasses.”
Medication must be prescribed by a qualified physician or nurse practitioner who can determine the type and dosage that best suits the child. As with any new medication, children should be monitored to ensure the medication is working effectively with little or no side effects.
A parent decides whether medication is the right choice for their child. It’s helpful to seek the advice of healthcare professionals who specialize in ADHD and can walk you through the benefits and potential side effects of medication.
Although ADHD medication can be highly effective and life-changing for children and adults alike, ADHD treatment does not begin and end with medication. Experts agree that medication should be paired with ADHD education, behavioral coaching, and/or therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan
ADHD is a lifelong condition that continues into adulthood. However, throughout childhood and adolescence, many people with ADHD develop structures, systems, and strategies that allow them to live very successful, fulfilled lives. The odds of positive outcomes are increased greatly when a person receives treatment for their ADHD, such as coaching and/or therapy paired in some cases with medication.

Explaining ADHD to Your Child

✓ Let them know that ADHD doesn’t define them. “ADHD is like being left-handed—it’s just one part of who you are.”

✓ Answer their questions, but keep answers simple and brief. “No, ADHD isn't contagious. It's not an illness. It just means your brain works differently than others."

✓ Promote the positives and ensure your child feels good about who they are. “I love the way that you think differently.”