ADHD in Children: Symptoms and Treatment

A short attention span and high energy level don’t necessarily mean your child has 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 the possibility of ADHD.

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

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.

Characteristics of ADHD

Children can have one of three types of ADHD:

• Predominantly inattentive presentation: These children struggle to focus and stay on tasks. They often appear to be daydreaming and may have trouble staying organized.
• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation: These kids are impulsive and find it difficult to sit still. They may squirm, fidget, and seem to have boundless energy.
• Combined presentation: This type involves both attention difficulties and hyperactivity.

For an ADHD diagnosis, symptoms must disrupt a child’s daily life. For instance, an inattentive child might not pay attention in class, leading to challenges with understanding homework. A hyperactive child may struggle to complete their work because they can’t 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

ADHD is a form of neurodivergence. It’s recognized as a disability because our neurotypical society doesn’t accommodate ADHD traits well.

While people with ADHD face challenges due to a neurotypical-centered society, they also have many strengths.

Those with ADHD need accommodations for their traits and support to use their strengths effectively.

Children with ADHD may respond in specific ways due to inadequate accommodations, unmet needs, communication issues, or trauma. Understanding a child’s neurotype, strengths, and needs helps parents support their child better.

ADHD Evaluation

If you or your child’s teacher suspects ADHD, it’s important to seek an evaluation if accommodations are needed. Early intervention can help prevent additional distress.

There’s no specific lab test to diagnose ADHD. Instead, a pediatrician or mental health professional can assess a child’s traits to see if they meet the criteria. Various methods gather information about a child’s behavior.

It’s important to understand that these methods use a traditional medical approach, seeing ADHD as a condition needing treatment. They view ADHD traits from a neurotypical perspective.

• Teacher report forms gather details about a child’s behavior and attention in school. They help determine the child’s challenges in staying focused and seated compared to peers. Teacher feedback on peer interactions can also highlight social difficulties.
• Parent report forms assess behavior at home. A mental health professional may ask about following directions, playing quietly, or waiting their turn in conversation.
• Parent and child interviews provide insights into the child’s development and family history.

While these tools are standard, consider an evaluation with a neurodiversity-affirming practitioner. They can offer support without labeling ADHD traits as problematic.

What to Bring

You may also be asked to bring the following items with you to the evaluation:

• Your child’s medical records, your contact information, and contact information for your child’s pediatrician
• Names and contact information for teachers and any other adults involved in a supervisory role with your child, such as in after-school programs
• Any prior testing results such as IQ testing, achievement tests, personality assessments, and any previous ADHD evaluations, as well as the contact information for and names of the professionals who conducted them
• Report cards and notes from your child’s school
• Individualized education plans (IEPs), if applicable
• Insurance information

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.

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 different types of medications (such as Concerta, Clonidine, and Strattera) available for ADHD.

There are also many other types of support that 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 or mental health professional may be able to make suggestions to assist teachers in providing a child with a learning environment that can reduce symptoms of ADHD.

Parenting Strategies

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 few behavior modification strategies that are often taught in parent support programs:

• Provide positive attention. Positive playtime reduces attention-seeking behavior. Positive attention helps parents create healthier relationships with kids, and a stronger bond means that kids are more likely to respond to praise. 
• Give effective instructions. Gain your child’s full attention before giving directions. This can look different for each child. Ask them what helps them focus and follow directions and accommodate their neurotype. Some examples include writing down detailed instructions, showing them how to do the task, body-doubling, and flexible scheduling.
• Praise your child’s effort. Catch your child being good and point it out. Praise can promote secure attachment with your child, and frequent and specific feedback is important.
• Establish rewards. Reward systems can be a great way to help kids with ADHD stay on track. Establish a few target behaviors, such as staying at the table during a meal or using gentle touches with a pet.

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:

• Accommodations: Extra time to complete tests or having a seat placed in a quiet area can increase a child’s chances of success.
• A behavior management plan that carries between home and school: A child may receive points or tokens from their teacher that can be exchanged for privileges at home, such as watching TV or using a computer.
• Structure in the home: A consistent homework time (with scheduled breaks) and a homework area that accommodates their ADHD brain can help your child get their work done. This may include fidgets, visual timers, game-ifying tasks and homework, or other things that are unique to each child.

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.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADHD in the classroom: Helping children succeed in school.

5. 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

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How to use rewards.

7. 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

Additional Reading

• 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

By Keath Low

 Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD.

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?

Helpful

Report an Error

Other