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Information & advice
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts an individual in terms of focus, attention, hyperactivity, behaviour, communication, mood and impulsivity. A person with ADHD may experience and process the world differently which can influence the way they respond and behave.
This guide is here to help you learn more about ADHD – the signs to look out for, how diagnosis works, and practical ways to support children and young people with ADHD.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterised by traits of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, as ADHD brains process information differently from others.
While ADHD can bring challenges, there are also many strengths. Many children with ADHD are creative, energetic, notice patterns and details that others may miss, and can focus deeply on things that interest them. Every child is unique, and ADHD can show up in different ways depending on personality, feelings, and environment.
There are three distinct subtypes of ADHD:
If your child has ADHD, they may show signs of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Not every child may experience all of these traits and they may show more signs of some symptoms than others.
Signs of inattention:
Signs of hyperactivity, impulsivity:
ADHD is often more frequently diagnosed in boys, partly due to gender differences in how symptoms appear and historical bias in research. It may present differently in girls, which can make it harder to recognise.
Many children and young people with ADHD also have trouble with sleep, whether it’s falling asleep or keeping a regular sleep schedule. Find out more in our ADHD and Sleep guide here.
ADHD is diagnosed through careful evaluation by a trained health professional (usually a psychiatrist or paediatrician with an ADHD specialism). There isn’t a standard test. Instead, the specialist will perform a comprehensive clinical assessment using symptoms described in either the DSM-5 or ICD-10 (US and UK diagnostic manuals).
The assessment and resulting diagnosis are based on recognising patterns of behaviour that have been present over time (were also present before the age of 12) and have occurred in more than one setting, such as at home and at school.
If you think your child may have ADHD, a GP or your child’s school can help with a referral to a specialist. Often, the first step is observing and recording your child’s behaviours. It’s important that traits appear in multiple environments, as this helps rule out other factors – such as stress at home or challenges in the classroom- that might be causing similar behaviours.
It’s also worth noting that some children may learn to “mask” their traits in social situations where they feel uncomfortable. This can make identifying ADHD more challenging.
The type of specialist your child sees for an assessment will depend on their age and the services available in your local area. Assessments may include:
After a diagnosis, you might discuss potential treatment options, which could include strategies, support plans, or medication to help manage some of the challenges your child or young person faces.
Here are a few practical techniques to help make daily routines a little easier and support your child at home. It is important to remember each child and young person is an individual with their own needs, so exploring different techniques can help you find what works best for your child.
Taking a flexible approach is also key – some techniques may work and some may not. Some children with ADHD may also have other co-existing conditions, and other treatments and approaches may be needed alongside those used to manage ADHD.
Here are some frequently asked questions around ADHD.
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document designed to give children and young people with SEND, up to the age of 25, the extra support they need to thrive at school or college. It sets out the help your child requires to learn, develop, and succeed. You can apply for an EHCP even if your child doesn’t yet have a formal diagnosis.
Whether your child requires an EHCP or not will depend on many things but is not tied to them having ADHD. The challenges your child experiences may arise because of ADHD, but there are many ways to support these needs including getting an EHCP. It will depend on your child’s unique situation and what support is already in place locally or in school.
To get a private ADHD diagnosis in the UK, you can book an appointment with a private doctor, psychiatrist or specialist. You don’t need a referral from your GP for private care, but it’s a good idea to inform them so they can update health records. Private assessments may be quicker than the NHS but can be expensive.
Hyperactivity means having lots of energy and finding it hard to sit still. Children with ADHD who are hyperactive may fidget, feel restless, move around, or talk a lot. They often need to keep busy and might struggle to relax.
There is evidence that a significant proportion of children and adults with ADHD have sensory processing differences. This means that their brains may process sensory information differently from others.
Some individuals may be hyper-sensitive, meaning they are more sensitive to sensory inputs, or they can be hypo-sensitive which means being less sensitive and potentially needing more input to those senses.
Many children may be hyper-sensitive to noises, crowds, or lights but may also enjoy some hyper-sensitivities like smells or touch. Some children’s hyper-sensitivity can lead to ‘sensory overload’ which may affect their behaviour and can cause discomfort or distraction – these behaviours may be misinterpreted as ‘naughty’ if it isn’t clear that the child is having a sensory reaction.
For example, a loud room might feel overwhelming, or certain clothes might feel uncomfortable so a child may shout, run, or tear their clothes off. Some children with hypo-sensitivity may also experience this in terms of how their body feels in relation to the world around them and may seek out pressure or movement (slamming into furniture, jumping around, or going on a trampoline).
Children with ADHD may have a mixed sensory profile, experiencing mix of being over or under-stimulated across different senses.
ADHD is a lifelong condition, but ADHD symptoms can change over time. Some children find their symptoms improve as they get older, especially hyperactivity. However, challenges with attention and organisation may continue into adulthood. Each person with ADHD is an individual and will experience it differently.
There are various ways and methods for managing ADHD symptoms including medication and lifestyle changes – each person is different, and some methods may work for some but not others. Symptoms may also fluctuate, and they may experience them to a lesser or larger extent at different points in their lives. With the right support and strategies in place, people with ADHD can and do manage their symptoms well.
The NHS Right to Choose scheme allows patients to choose where they receive care, including mental health services like ADHD assessments. If your child has been waiting a long time for an NHS diagnosis, you can ask your GP to refer you to a different provider that may have a shorter waiting list.
ADHD is often linked with other coexisting conditions such as anxiety, depression, dyslexia, and autism. Some children with ADHD may also have learning difficulties or sleep problems. These conditions can sometimes make it harder to manage ADHD, but with the right support, they can be addressed together. If you suspect your child may be experiencing symptoms of other conditions, it is important to seek help from professionals such as your GP or any other professionals you are in contact with (health visitors, school special educational needs coordinator etc).
Research into the causes and connections between neurodiverse conditions is ongoing. Some studies suggest that individuals can often have more than one neurodiverse condition – for example, autism and ADHD, or ADHD and dyspraxia. If you’d like to learn more about other neurodiverse conditions, you can find additional information on this page: Related Conditions – a guide for all audiences.
ADHD UK is a national charity supporting children, adults, and families affected by ADHD. They offer information, resources, and guidance to help understand ADHD and manage its challenges, as well as connecting people with local support groups and expert advice.
Further guidance on ADHD, including symptoms, assessment, treatment, and support for children, young people, and their families
A video explaining what ADHD is in simple terms, co-produced by children with ADHD, their families and carers, and health professionals.
