Condition Basics

What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, which is a difference in how a person's brain develops and works. It affects how the brain manages attention, impulse control, activity level, and executive functioning. Executive functions include skills like planning, organizing, starting tasks, managing time, regulating emotions, and finishing tasks.

ADHD may begin in early childhood and continue into adulthood. While symptoms can change in adulthood, a person never completely outgrows the condition.

In the past, ADHD was called attention deficit disorder (ADD). Today, ADHD is the correct and inclusive term.

What causes it?

The exact cause of ADHD is not clear. Research shows that:

Is gender a factor with ADHD?

ADHD can look different depending on a person’s gender.
ADHD is often noticed more in boys because they may show more hyperactive symptoms.
Girls and gender-diverse young people often show quieter or less obvious symptoms—such as stress, anxiety, or feeling a strong need to be perfect. This means they are diagnosed later or sometimes not at all.

Symptoms

ADHD symptoms are generally grouped into 3 areas:

Inattention

• Trouble focusing or staying on task.
• Losing things or forgetting instructions.
• Trouble organizing schoolwork or daily activities.

Hyperactivity

• Fidgeting or always moving.
• Feeling restless or unsettled.
• Trouble doing quiet activities.

Impulsivity

• Interrupting others or talking too much.
• Trouble waiting.
• Making quick decisions without thinking of the consequences.

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What Happens

ADHD most often starts in childhood and can last into adulthood.

It can be hard to tell the difference between normal behaviour and ADHD symptoms in young children. But after a child starts school, ADHD becomes more noticeable. It is most often diagnosed in children ages 6 to 12. During this time, it can disrupt many aspects of a child's life. Learning, adjusting to change, sleeping, and making friends are all areas where children with ADHD may need extra help.

Adults with ADHD may continue to have trouble focusing, organizing, and finishing tasks. But they are often able to adjust to the workplace better than they did in the classroom as children.

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When to Call a Doctor

Early support can make a big difference in a person's long-term well-being. Get professional support for your child if ADHD symptoms are:

• Affecting their learning, relationships, or self-esteem.
• Causing stress, anxiety, or frustration.
• Leading to behaviour challenges or making school harder for them.
Before meeting with a healthcare provider, think about when you started noticing ADHD symptoms in your child.

You and other caregivers can help by recording when the behaviours happen and how long they last.

An important part of checking for ADHD is thinking about the kinds of problems the behaviours are causing. For example, how do these behaviours affect your child’s time at school or their social life?

Examinations and Tests

There is no single test for ADHD. To diagnosis the condition, a healthcare provider will:

• Talk with the person and ask questions about their symptoms.
• Talk with parents, caregivers, and teachers.
• Use behaviour ratings scales.
• Learn about the person’s medical history.
• Find out if others factors (like anxiety, trauma, or learning differences) are causing symptoms.

Treatment Overview

Treatment and management for ADHD will depend on the age of the person. It may include behaviour and skills-based supports and medicines. It may also include supports for learning, accommodations for school, and other strategies.

The goal is to help the person with executive functioning challenges. Executive functioning is a set of mental skills that allow a person to:

• Start a task.
• Plan and set priorities.
• Manage time.
• Remember information for a short time to do a task (working memory).
• Regulate emotions.
• Finish what has been started.

Behaviour and skills-based supports

School and learning accommodations

Helpful supports may include:

• Chunking assignments into smaller steps.
• Extra time for tests or assignments.
• Flexible seating or movement breaks.
• Wearing noise-reducing headphones.
• Visual schedules and reminders.
• Reduced workload with clear priorities.
• Consistent routines.
• Scheduled breaks (including November or mid-year breaks to reset).

Other evidence-based strategies

Many young people with ADHD benefit from:

• Working with or at the same time as a buddy.
• Working for short periods of time with planned breaks.
• Using reset moments for things like movement, breathing, and drinking water (hydration).
• Having clear visual plans rather than spoken instructions.
• Spending quality time with parents and caregivers.
• Having carefully planned screen time, with clear goals and time limits.

Caring for a Child Who Has ADHD

There are many things you can do at home to help your child who has ADHD.

You can help your child build social skills. Consider working with a specialist or taking classes to learn behaviour management methods that you can use with your child. Behaviour therapy and social skills training can help your child be less aggressive and impulsive, manage anger, and behave in a more socially acceptable way.

You also can help your child build self-esteem. You can do this by encouraging a sense of belonging, confidence in learning, and an awareness of your child's own contributions.

Model patience, persistence, and creative thinking. It can help your child learn skills for doing tasks at home and at school.

It's important to remember to take care of yourself too. Caring for your own physical and mental health is an important part of helping your child. And it will help you have the energy you need to take care of your child.

Caring for your teen

Regular, open communication with your teen and your teen's teachers and doctors is the first step in helping your teen with ADHD to thrive. And being aware of what's happening in your teen's life will allow you to work together to solve problems that might occur.

The teen years present many challenges. These include more schoolwork and the need to be more attentive and organized. Making good decisions becomes more important during these years when peer pressure, sexuality, and other issues surface.

Work with your teen to create reasonable goals. And use the right consequences when goals aren't met. That may include losing privileges or having more chores at home. Allow your teen to help decide rewards when the goals are met.

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Self-Care for Adults Who Have ADHD

• Learn all you can about ADHD. This will help you and your family understand it better.
• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. If you think you are having a problem with your medicine, call your doctor or Health Link at 811, or speak to your pharmacist. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
• If you miss a dose of your medicine, do not take an extra dose.
• If your doctor suggests counselling, find a counsellor you like and trust. Talk openly and honestly. Be willing to make some changes.
• Find a support group for adults with ADHD. Talking to others with the same problems can help you feel better. It can also give you ideas about how to best cope with the condition.
• Get rid of distractions at your work space. Keep your desk clean. Try not to face a window or busy hallway.
• Use files, planners, and other tools to keep you organized.
• Limit use of alcohol, and do not use drugs. People with ADHD tend to develop substance use disorder more easily than others. Tell your doctor if you need help to quit. Counselling, support groups, and sometimes medicines can help you stay free of alcohol or drugs.
• Get at least 2½ hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week. Exercise may help manage the symptoms of ADHD. For many people, walking is a good choice. You also may want to do other activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis or team sports.

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Medicines

Medicines are used to help manage the symptoms of ADHD.

Children should be closely watched after they start medicines. The doctor can assess if your child is getting the right dose.

Be sure that medicine for ADHD is taken on schedule. You'll also need to keep track of the effects of the medicine. Talk often with your child's doctor.

Medicines to treat ADHD include:

• Stimulants. Examples are amphetamine (such as Adderall or Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (such as Concerta or Biphentin).
• Non-stimulants. Examples are atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine, and guanfacine (Intuniv).

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