Children & Teens
ADHD
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects the brain's ability to manage attention, impulses and activity levels. It shows up differently across childhood and adulthood, and it responds well to the right combination of behavioural support, skill-building and, where needed, medication.
Also searched as: attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, focus problems.
What the evidence says
5%
of children are estimated to have ADHD worldwide
- Careless mistakes and difficulty attending to detail
- Trouble following instructions or finishing tasks
- Losing items needed for tasks or activities
- Fidgeting, restlessness or difficulty staying seated
- Interrupting others or blurting out answers
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can assess.
- Behavioural therapy to build focus, organisation and impulse control
- Psychiatric review and medication management where appropriate
- Occupational therapy for children, to support self-regulation
- Remedial education to adapt teaching methods to how the child learns
- Difficulty focusing on schoolwork or play
- Appears not to listen even when spoken to directly
- Constantly on the move; runs or climbs in inappropriate settings
- Excessive talking and trouble waiting for a turn
- Avoids tasks that need sustained mental effort, like homework
- Daydreaming or zoning out
- Impulsivity and difficulty with decision-making
- Trouble prioritising and sustaining attention
- Difficulty starting tasks; always feeling on the go
Not sure yet?
Check the signs in someone you love: ADHD: signs in my child
Think about your child over the last six months, at home and at school. How often do you notice each of these? Scored on your device only, nothing is stored, and it is not a diagnosis.
The care pathway
What each professional actually does here
Care for this concern is usually shared. Here is how each discipline contributes, so nothing feels like a black box.
Behavioural therapists work on organisational skills and impulse control through structured interventions, positive reinforcement and individualised behaviour plans, and train parents in strategies that work at home.
Explore this serviceA psychiatrist assesses whether medication, stimulant or non-stimulant, would help, and develops a treatment plan that combines medication with therapy, monitoring effects and adjusting as needed.
Explore this serviceFor children, occupational therapy builds focus, self-regulation and organisational skills through sensory-based activities and structured routines, working alongside parents and teachers.
Explore this serviceRemedial educators adapt teaching methods to a child's learning style, supporting both academic progress and confidence.
Explore this serviceWho you'd work with
The disciplines involved
You don't have to choose the right professional yourself — we match you after a first conversation.
Psychology
Psychology & Therapy
Evidence-informed therapy for adolescents, adults, couples and older adults- held in a space where you are understood as a whole person.
Learn morePsychiatry
Psychiatry
Careful psychiatric assessment and medication support, always coordinated with your therapist and wider care team.
Learn moreOccupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Supporting children and adults to build the everyday skills that make participation, learning and independence possible.
Learn moreRemedial Education
Remedial Education
Individualised academic support for children with learning differences, built on strengths rather than deficits.
Learn moreQuestions
ADHD: questions people ask us
Short, honest answers about who helps, what to expect and how care is coordinated.
Genetics, brain structure and environmental factors all contribute; the exact cause is complex and not fully understood.
Symptoms often continue into adulthood, though many people develop coping strategies over time that reduce their day-to-day impact.
Stimulant medications, when prescribed and monitored properly, carry a low risk of addiction in people with ADHD.
It can affect focus and organisation; academic support, accommodations and behavioural strategies can meaningfully improve performance.
Yes. Behavioural strategies, therapy and lifestyle adjustments can be effective on their own, though some people benefit from adding medication.
Take the next step
Tell us what's happening, we'll suggest where to start
You don't have to choose the right professional yourself- we match you after a first conversation.
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