What is ADHD? 
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference. ADHD is characterised by difficulties and difficulties with executive functioning.

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Executive functioning is a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. These skills allow us to plan, focus attention, remember, and juggle multiple tasks.

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ADHD can present as:

• Predominantly inattentive

  • This is when the child or young person presents primarily with differences with focus, attention and concentration. ​

  • This was previously known as "ADD" 

  • This can look like:

    • Daydreaming 

    • Making silly mistakes in schoolwork (2+2=5)

    • "Zoning out" when someone is speaking to you

    • Struggling to get ready in the morning 

    • Getting distracted easily

    • Losing your belongings

    • Being disorganised (leaving the house for school without your school bag)

    • Having difficulties following multiple-step instructions

    • Having difficulties finishing tasks

    • Showing a reluctance to do things that take mental effort (reading a book, doing homework)

• Predominantly hyperactive/ impulsive​​

  • This is when the child or young person presents primarily with hyperactive and impulsive behaviours.

  • This can look like: 

    • Interrupting others ​

    • Fidgeting and moving around a lot

    • Struggling to sit when it is expected (for example, at dinner)

    • Often being "on the go" (described as an "energiser bunny")

    • Talking a lot

    • Running around when it's inappropriate 

    • Feeling "restless"

    • Having difficulties waiting their turn

• Combined presentation

  • The most common presentation

  • This is when a person has both the inattentive traits and the hyperactive/impulsive traits.​

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Most people with ADHD have traits from both the inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive sides.

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ADHD is NOT

• Being "lazy"​

• Being "stupid" or "not very smart"

• Being naughty

• Caused by sugar 

• Caused by "bad parenting"

• Something you grow out of (but how it presents can definitely change)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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