What is ADHD?

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.

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.​

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

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)