What Is It?
All kids find it a bit tricky to stay focused, listen carefully, sit quietly, or wait their turn. But for some kids, like those with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), these things can be hard most of the time.
But guess what? Kid’s with ADHD aren’t doing this on purpose! You see, ADHD is like a little puzzle inside their brains that can make it hard for them to pay attention and control their actions and words.
Is It Bad?
Not at all! Every child has unique strengths as well as areas that they find more challenging. Some children find it really easy to concentrate on one task for a long time. For other kids, their brain is incredible at noticing lots of things all at once!
Every child with ADHD will have some things they are really good at! In fact, the ADHD may be helping them to achieve in that area of their life.
If you have ADHD, it may be a good idea to ask the adults you trust, what strengths you have as well as the areas that you could work on.
Who Else Has It?
ADHD often runs in the family. Which means that there is a good chance that your mum or dad, or maybe an aunty or uncle may have ADHD as well.
In Australia 1 in 20 people live with ADHD. That means on average if you count 20 people when you are at school or at swimming lessons or at the shops, one of those people may have ADHD!
If you know someone who has ADHD, it might be a fun idea to talk to them about it. You might like to ask what they like it and what does their ADHD look like for them. They may even give you tips and ideas of how to best live with ADHD.
What If I Need Help?
Children with ADHD, may sometimes feel different from their siblings or other students at school. They may feel a little stuck and frustrated with how their brain works.
The good news is that there are people who can help!
- Family (mum or dad, grandparents, foster parents, family friends etc.)
- Medical experts (GP Doctor, Paediatric Doctor, Counsellor, Speech Pathologist etc.)
- Teachers at school (You and your family may be able to help your teacher understand how your brain works).
- Friends (Talking to friends with ADHD may help you feel less different or lonely).
Can I Draw It For You?
Often children with ADHD get told by adults what they will feel and experience. However, ADHD presents differently for each child.
Therefore, it can be a great idea for the child to draw their experience of ADHD. This might help them explain to adults their personal thoughts and feelings when it comes to living with ADHD.
You know how some people might need glasses to see better and others may need a pencil grip to help their hand writing?
Taking medication is a little bit like that. It is not that there is anything wrong with children who have ADHD. It is just that their brain works a little different.
And, sometimes medication helps their brain work more effectively.
Why do children with adhd sometimes take medication?
It is important to know that children should never take medication without a trusted adult knowing.
Trusted adults will make sure that you take the right amount at the right time of the day.
If you ever have any questions about medication, make sure you ask your parents or the doctor.
Curious -”eager to know or learn something.”
For children with ADHD, it can feel like their brain is a bee hive full of noisy bees! Or, it can feel like a fast race car, wanting to zoom around but stuck at a red light!
Sometimes for children with ADHD it is hard to sit still because there are so many fantastic ideas filling up their brain.
Children with ADHD are some of the most curious and inquisitive people that you will meet!
Inquisitive -”having or showing an interest in learning things.”
Why do children with ADHD sometimes find it hard to sit still?
Of course! All people get angry at things. Ask your parents if they ever feel angry?
For children with ADHD, they can sometimes feel annoyed because their brain feels like it is working much faster than those around them.
Anger is not bad. It is what we choose to do in our anger that is important. It can be harder making good choices when we are angry.
Talk to your trusted adults about what you could do next time you feel angry.
Do children with ADHD sometimes get angry?
