Understanding ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects parts of the brain which controls your attention, impulses and concentration. It can have an impact on school, friendships, self-esteem and family life without the right help.

The common signs are:

• the inability to focus
• being unable to sit for long
• losing possessions or forgetting where things are
• starting a task before finishing the previous one
• sensitivity to criticism or rejection
• not listening to instructions and failing to finish schoolwork or chores.

Children and young people with ADHD can also:

• be extremely passionate about what interests them
• have high energy, with great enthusiasm
• be detail-orientated and pay attention to the finer details
• have a naturally curious mind
• have higher levels of social intelligence, humour, and recognition of feeling, or empathy
• be very creative and can spot new solutions and come up with amazing ideas before others!

These signs are not a definitive list of every child or young person with ADHD. Every child with ADHD is unique and has an amazing brain!