How ADHD Can Affect Kids (and What To Do About It!)

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD struggle with various tasks and mental processes. These can include trouble focusing on tasks, difficulty staying organized, a tendency to fidget, and even a lack of an awareness of time or difficulty making decisions. All of this can lead to academic problems as well as social issues. Children with ADHD can also struggle socially.

According to the CDC, ADHD presents in either inattentive type, hyperactive type, or combined type. Inattentive symptoms include

“Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.

• Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
• Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
• Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g., school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
• Is often easily distracted
• Is often forgetful…