Understanding ADHD For Young People and Parents and Carers
ADHD means: Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
It is a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. This means:
- That those who have ADHD have a brain that works differently to those who don’t have ADHD.
- ADHD is usually spotted in childhood, and individuals will experience it throughout their teenage and adult years too.
- Having ADHD means children and young people learn and behave differently compared to others.
- For example, those with ADHD have a hard time concentrating, have lots of energy and may behave without thinking about the consequences.
Everyone experiences these difficulties sometimes, although people with ADHD experience them more frequently, and more intensely which can make concentrating in school or on activities really challenging.
Despite struggling with some things people with ADHD are also capable of things others find tricky! ADHD cannot be prevented or cured.
But it is considered to be highly treatable, spotting it early having a good treatment to identify strategies to support the child’s or young person’s difficulties.
Despite ADHD being characterised by what individuals find challenging, living with ADHD enables children to have a variety of skills and abilities beyond those without ADHD. Although it is important to manage symptoms of ADHD, it is also crucial to not lose sight of their strengths.
WELL KNOWN FIGURES WITH ADHD:
With the appropriate support, individuals can enjoy successful lives and careers.
For example, many well-known public figures, celebrities and athletes have achieved high levels of success by overcoming their difficulties and exploiting the positive features of ADHD.
- Michael Phelps
- Walt Disney
- Simone Biles
- Sam Fender
- Emma Watson
- Ant McPartlin
DIAGNOSIS AND ASSESSMENT
The diagnosis of ADHD requires a detailed assessment made by specialists who utilise a variety of methods. There is not one single test for ADHD.
An ADHD assessment can include:
- Gathering a detailed report of the child’s development history from parents/carers and medical records with consent.
- Conducting interviews and obtaining reports from those that work closely with the child, including parents and teachers.
- Use of standardised questionnaires for home and school.
- Carrying out an observation of the child in school and or in clinic to see what their symptoms are like in different settings.
This variety of different clinicians, all trained within their own field, are united in the process to provide the best support for both child and family. An ADHD assessment is usually only considered in children over 6 years old, due to the developmental stage of children below this age having common features of ADHD.
What Treatment Is Available?
Psycho-education (providing education and information) and parent training programmes focused upon behavioural approaches are considered in the first instance when an ADHD diagnosis is given.
Many psychological therapies are effective in treating additional problems which commonly co-occur with ADHD, such as anxiety.
Medical treatment is not considered for school age children presenting with mild symptoms.
Medication is only considered for those over 6 if:
- Their ADHD symptoms are severe enough to significantly impair functioning across more than one setting, despite environmental modifications.
- Parents have been educated on ADHD.
- A baseline assessment has been completed.
Websites, Resources and Books
ADHD information for young people
ADHD information for parents and carers
Parent and Carers Resource Pack
ADHD Foundation Booklet for Teenagers
Stories-That-Never-Stand-Still
How can I support a child with ADHD? – Support for Parents from Action For Children
Help Your Child With ADHD | Parents Guide to Support | YoungMinds
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