ADHD Support Pack

Attention Difficulties: A short attention span is a common sign of ADHD in young children. They may have trouble paying attention during activities, such as playing with toys or listening to stories, and can become easily distracted.

Hyperactivity: Younger children with ADHD may have more energy than their peers. They might run around excessively, even in situations where it's not appropriate, or have difficulty staying seated during structured activities like meals or circle time.

Impulsivity: They may act impulsively without thinking about consequences. For example, they might grab toys from other children without asking or interrupting others during conversations or games.

Social Challenges: Children might find it hard to play cooperatively with others due to their impulsivity or difficulty following social rules. They may struggle with taking turns or sharing toys.

Behavioural Issues: They may exhibit challenging behaviours such as temper tantrums, oppositional behaviour, or difficulty following directions from adults.

Academic Concerns: In preschool or kindergarten, signs of ADHD may manifest as trouble following instructions, difficulty completing tasks, or inconsistent participation in classroom activities.

Inattention: Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks that require concentration, such as homework or classroom activities. Often makes careless mistakes and fails to complete schoolwork or chores.

Hyperactivity: While hyperactivity may be less pronounced than in younger children, they may still appear restless or fidgety, especially in situations requiring sustained focus

Impulsivity: Acts without thinking about consequences, leading to interrupting others, blurting out answers, or engaging in risky behaviours.

Organisation and time management: Struggles with organising tasks, materials, and activities, often leading to messy workspaces, missed deadlines, and leaving tasks incomplete. Difficulty managing time effectively and planning ahead.

Academic challenges: Inconsistent academic performance despite having the ability to do well and difficulty with tasks that require sustained mental effort or problem-solving skills

Social difficulties: Trouble maintaining friendships due to impulsive behaviour, difficulty taking turns, or not understanding social cues, resulting in them being perceived as disruptive or having trouble fitting in with peers

Emotional regulation: May experience frequent mood swings or emotional outbursts, especially when frustrated or overwhelmed

Executive functioning: Challenges with executive functions such as planning, organization, and self-regulation, which can impact daily activities and school performance.

Behavioural challenges: Exhibits behaviours such as defiance, arguing with adults, or refusing to comply with rules or requests

Low self-esteem: Often feels frustrated or discouraged due to academic difficulties or social challenges and struggle with feelings of inadequate or being misunderstood by peers and adults

Irregular sleeping pattern: Often struggle to fall asleep, and can easily sleep in late and find it challenging to wake up on time.

Hyperactivity: Constantly fidgets or squirms in their seat. Often runs or climbs excessively in inappropriate situations.

Impulsivity: Acts without thinking, blurting out answers or interrupting others. Has difficulty waiting for their turn in games or group activities.

Inattention: Frequently loses focus on tasks, especially those that are not highly stimulating. Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities.

Difficulty Following Instructions: Appears not to listen when spoken to directly, requiring instructions to be repeated. Has trouble organizing tasks or completing assignments on time.

Restlessness: Has trouble staying seated, especially in situations where it is expected. Often appears to be "on the go" as if driven by a motor.

Excessive Talking: Talks excessively, and often interrupts others in conversations or activities.

Risk-Taking Behaviour: Engages in risky activities without considering consequences, such as climbing heights or riding recklessly.

Academic Challenges: Underachieves academically despite having the ability to perform well. Shows inconsistent performance and struggles with maintaining focus during lessons.

Emotional Outbursts: Displays frequent temper tantrums or emotional outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation. Difficulty managing emotions and may become easily frustrated or angered.

Social Difficulties: Struggles to maintain friendships due to impulsivity or difficulty understanding social cues. May be perceived as disruptive or intrusive in social settings.

Inattention: Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks, especially those that are not highly stimulating. Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork despite understanding the material.

Disorganisation: Struggles to keep track of schoolwork, assignments, and personal belongings. Has messy and unorganized workspaces, despite efforts to tidy up.

Forgetfulness: Frequently forgets daily routines, chores, or obligations. Loses or misplaces items needed for daily activities, such as school supplies or personal belongings.

Difficulty Following Instructions: Appears not to listen when spoken to directly, requiring instructions to be repeated. Has trouble following through on tasks or assignments, often starting projects but not completing them.

Procrastination: Delays starting tasks or assignments until the last minute, despite understanding the consequences. Struggles to initiate tasks or activities, feeling overwhelmed by even simple tasks.

Hyperactivity (often internalised): While not always outwardly hyperactive, may feel restless or constantly on the move internally. Talks excessively, especially when excited or nervous.

Impulsivity: Acts without thinking, blurting out answers or interrupting others during conversations or activities. Engages in risky behaviours without considering potential consequences.

Emotional Sensitivity: Experiences intense emotions, such as frequent mood swings or emotional outbursts. Easily becomes overwhelmed or frustrated in challenging situations.

Social Difficulties: Struggles to maintain friendships due to impulsivity, emotional sensitivity, or difficulty understanding social cues. May feel isolated or misunderstood by peers, impacting self-esteem.

Low Self-Esteem: Often feels criticized or inadequate, particularly in academic or social settings. Internalizes feelings of failure despite efforts to succeed academically or socially.

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Children with ADHD often expend significant energy attending to conversations, tasks, and social interactions. A hyperactive mind may jump between topics, making it hard to focus, even when trying to appear attentive. This mental effort, combined with physical restlessness and disrupted sleep patterns, can contribute to feelings of being constantly overwhelmed.

Preventing burnout involves practical strategies to help your child manage their energy and focus. Encouraging engagement with supportive activities, maintaining routines, and nurturing a sense of connection can make a significant difference. For some, simple tools like visual reminders or objects carried as cues, such as a stone in a pocket, can help anchor attention and reduce stress.

Creating “anchor points” in daily life can help them manage their anxiety and feel more in control. These small, meaningful strategies connect them to activities that provide comfort, purpose, and calm, which in turn can prevent burnout before it escalates.

Many people with ADHD may also experience alexithymia, a difficulty in recognising and expressing emotions. This can make it harder for your child to notice when they are approaching burnout or to communicate their feelings effectively. Supporting emotional awareness involves helping them identify and process their emotions, guiding them to recognise signs of stress or overwhelm, and providing strategies for managing those feelings.

For those who are naturally energetic, social, or seen as “entertainers” in groups, there can also be added pressure to maintain that persona. Supporting them to balance their natural tendencies with rest and self-care is crucial in preventing burnout.