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What is ADHD?
What is ADHD?
According to the Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain manages attention, activity level, and impulse control. People with ADHD might:
get distracted easily and have trouble staying on task.
having difficulty following instructions.
feel like they need to move around a lot or have trouble sitting still.
make decisions quickly without thinking about the consequences.
have trouble staying organized.
have issues managing their time.
ADHD is not caused by poor parenting, lack of discipline, laziness, or too much screen time. It’s related to how the brain develops and works, and it often runs in families. ADHD symptoms can look different from person to person and may become more noticeable as a child grows. It’s estimated that about 5%-9% of children and 3%-5% of adults in Canada have ADHD. Having ADHD doesn’t mean someone isn’t capable or motivated, they may just need different supports, strategies, and understanding.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
How is ADHD diagnosed?
The DSM-5-TR is a manual used by doctors and psychologists to identify the symptoms and criteria for diagnosing ADHD. It groups ADHD symptoms into two categories:
📘 Inattention: Trouble focusing, being forgetful or disorganized, avoiding challenging tasks, losing things, and making careless mistakes.
⚡ Hyperactivity & Impulsivity: Fidgeting, talking a lot, interrupting, always being “on the go,” difficulty sitting still, and trouble waiting or playing quietly.
Based on these symptoms, there are three types of ADHD:
Predominantly Inattentive: Mostly challenges with focus and attention.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive: Mostly challenges with movement and impulse control.
Combined Type: A mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms (the most common).
How can you help?
How can you help?
ADHD is not a flaw, it’s a different way of thinking and processing the world. Embracing these differences helps children build confidence and feel valued for who they are. Recognizing their strengths can lead to better self-esteem and more effective support strategies. Learn more here: Lighten Up! Your Quirky Spouse or Child May Be Happy Just The Way They Are.
Sharing stories of successful people with ADHD, like entrepreneurs, artists, or athletes, can inspire children and show them what’s possible. These role models help normalize ADHD and demonstrate that challenges can be turned into strengths. Learn about some famous people with ADHD.
Treatment Options for ADHD often includes a combination of strategies: medication, behavioural therapy, lifestyle changes, and educational support. Every child is unique, so it’s important to find the right balance that works for them.
Good nutrition, regular exercise, and consistent sleep can significantly impact ADHD symptoms. Healthy habits support better focus, mood regulation, and overall well-being for children with ADHD.
Clear and predictable routines and schedules help children with ADHD feel more secure and stay organized. Schedules can reduce stress and improve time management by setting expectations and structure throughout the day.
Visual tools like charts, calendars, and color coding are powerful for children with ADHD. They help make abstract concepts more concrete and assist with remembering tasks, routines, and responsibilities.
Executive functioning skills like planning, organizing, and managing time are often areas of difficulty for kids with ADHD. These skills can be strengthened over time with practice, support, and tools like timers, checklists, and planners. Find out more here: Building Executive Functioning.
In the classroom, children with ADHD benefit from accommodations like movement breaks, flexible seating, and clear instructions. Teachers play a vital role in creating inclusive environments that support focus and learning.
Daily everyday activities such as chores, hygiene, and mealtimes can be learning opportunities. With patience, structure, and creativity, these routines can help build independence and responsibility in children with ADHD.
Children with ADHD may struggle with impulse control and reading social cues. Teaching social skills directly, using role play or stories, helps them build positive relationships and navigate social situations with more confidence.
Practical life skills like money management, time awareness, and self-care are essential for long-term independence. These skills often need to be taught in a step-by-step, hands-on way for kids with ADHD.
Helping children name, understand, and regulate their emotions is key. Emotion coaching involves validating their feelings and guiding them through emotional responses, which builds emotional intelligence and resilience.
Children with ADHD are at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Supporting their mental health means promoting open communication, emotional support, and professional help when needed.
Use an approach that involves working together with the child to identify challenges and find solutions. Instead of punishment, focus on understanding unmet needs and building problem-solving skills collaboratively. Find more information here: Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Model.
Find out more about ADHD:
Watch:
Listen:
Read/Learn:
Resources
Resources
ADHD Information Guide
An accessible text-only version of this document can be found here:
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada. (n.d.). What is ADHD. In General info. Retrieved August 14, 2025, from https://caddac.ca/about-adhd/in-general/#:~:text=In%20Workplace-,What%20is%20ADHD,3%25%2D5%25%20of%20adults.
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