ADHD in Children: Tips for Coping

ADHD in children manifests itself in attention problems, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

These children have difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or responding in a controlled manner, especially in situations requiring a high level of self-control, such as in the classroom.

Although the exact cause of ADHD is not fully understood, genetics and environmental factors likely play a role.

ADHD is usually diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 18 and can have a major impact on school life and social interactions.(1)

In this blog, we discuss the most important characteristics of ADHD in children and provide 8 practical tips for parents to better support their child.

Whether a child has ADHD often becomes apparent at a young age. The first symptoms usually become apparent when the child is 3 or 4 years old.

However, sometimes the characteristics of ADHD can emerge earlier or later in children.

Not so long ago, there were only two types of ADHD, namely ADD or ADHD.

The condition is now simply called ADHD and a distinction is made between three types, each with its own characteristics.

These are the three types of ADHD:

1. ADHD-H - Hyperactive and impulsive.
2. ADHD-I - Primarily Inattentive (formerly ADD)
3. ADHD-C - A combination of both.

Of the three subtypes of ADHD, ADHD-I is the most common, followed by the hyperactive subtype (ADHD-H) and the combined subtype (ADHD-C).(2)

A child with type H will therefore behave very differently from a child with ADHD-I.

The characteristics of ADHD that occur in children therefore depend greatly on the subtype.

Here hyperactivity and impulsiveness are prominent, without the strong inattention problems of the other subtype.

• Constantly moving or fidgeting
• Running and climbing in situations where this is inappropriate
• Trouble sitting still in class
• Quickly shout out answers in class before questions are fully asked
• Trouble waiting their turn during games or in line

This subtype is characterized mainly by problems with attention and concentration .

• They often don't seem to listen when spoken to
• Make careless mistakes in schoolwork
• Have difficulty completing tasks or following instructions
• Often lose items needed for tasks
• Avoid tasks that require prolonged attention, such as homework

People with this subtype exhibit symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

• Show both inattention and hyperactive behavior
• Have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork and are often physically restless
• Make mistakes due to lack of attention and at the same time show impulsive behavior, such as running or shouting

For a long time it was thought that ADHD only occurred in children, but we now know that adults can also have ADHD.

If you are diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, chances are you had it as a child.

You have often found ways to cope with the symptoms, or developed strategies to make them less noticeable.(3)

That is why it is usually more difficult to diagnose ADHD in adults.

Although the characteristics remain largely the same, there are some important differences between ADHD in children and adults.

• In children, the symptoms are more visible (physical hyperactivity), while adults often mask their symptoms and experience hyperactivity more internally.
• Inattention in adults is more focused on work and daily responsibilities, while in children it is most noticeable at school and on tasks .
• Impulsivity in adults often manifests in work and financial decisions, while children are more likely to be socially impulsive , such as interrupting others or ignoring rules.(3)

Children with ADHD have different needs than their peers without ADHD.

As a parent or caregiver, you can take specific needs into account:

1. Clear expectations - Children with ADHD have a greater than average need for clear and consistent expectations about their behavior and tasks.
2. Support for emotions - Children with ADHD may have difficulty with emotional regulation and need guidance in dealing with frustration or stress.
3. Social skills - Children with ADHD often need extra support in developing social skills and relationships with peers.

Sources used

1. Rocco, I., Corso, B., Bonati, M., & Minicuci, N. (2021). Time of onset and/or diagnosis of ADHD in European children: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry , 21 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03547-x 
2. Ayano, G., Demelash, S., Gizachew, Y., Tsegay, L., & Alati, R. (2023). The global prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. Journal Of Affective Disorders , 339 , 860–866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.071
3. Hagan, S. (nd). The difference between child and adult attention-defect/hyperactivity disorder. https://sadag.org/images/pdf/MHM_Difference-between-Child-and-adult-ADHD.pdf