All young children have a limited attention span and sometimes do things without thinking. If these are severe enough to interfere with their learning and social relationships, in more than one setting, they can be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This page is about ADHD in children. See also our page on ADHD in adults.
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On this page, you can find the following information:
- What are the names for ADHD?
- What is ADHD?
- How common is ADHD?
- What causes ADHD?
- What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD?
- How is ADHD diagnosed?
- Can children with ADHD sometimes have other problems?
- What should I do if I think my child might have ADHD?
- What treatments are available for ADHD?
- Animated videos to help children understand ADHD
Key points
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a developmental problem.
- Children with ADHD may have poor concentration, poor control of impulses and can be overactive.
- Children with ADHD need support and understanding from whānau, teachers and the community.
- Not all children who are inattentive, impulsive and overactive have ADHD-Aroreretini.
- Medicine, positive parenting strategies and school support can help children with ADHD and their whānau.
What are the names for ADHD?
- ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
- The Māori word for ADHD is aroreretini – attention goes to many things.
- Some people say ADD – attention deficit disorder.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a developmental problem. Children and young people with ADHD may have poor concentration, poor control of impulses and can be overactive. This interferes with their ability to learn and socialise and can affect family functioning.
Children with ADHD- may be labelled as naughty but this is not true. Children with ADHD need support and understanding from whānau, teachers and the community.
How common is ADHD?
At least 5 of every 100 children have ADHD. It's more common in boys than girls. Girls with ADHD show more inattention and are less disruptive. They are less likely to be diagnosed or may be diagnosed later.
It might seem like there are more children with ADHD now than in the past. This is probably because of better recognition of ADHD.
ADHD occurs in children and adults. ADHD symptoms usually improve with age. But a significant number of children with ADHD will continue to have symptoms as adults. They may need ongoing help.
What causes ADHD?
No one knows the exact cause of ADHD but it is likely to be a combination of factors. These include genetics – children with ADHD are more likely to have a whānau member with ADHD.
ADHD can also be associated with:
- alcohol, smoking or drug exposure in pregnancy
- being born prematurely or having a low birth weight.
There is no good evidence that ADHD is caused by children eating too much sugar or food additives, although this is a commonly held view.
What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD?
Children with ADHD have 3 types of main difficulties. Children with ADHD may struggle with 1 of these areas of difficulty or with all 3. As children get older, the symptoms can change.
Inattention (difficulty concentrating or focusing)
- Has difficulty focusing on just one thing.
- Is easily distracted.
- Forgets instructions
- Moves from one task to another without completing anything
- Doesn't listen when directly spoken to.
- Makes careless mistakes.
- Has difficulty organising tasks and activities.
- Daydreams a lot.
- Appears forgetful or loses things a lot.
Acting impulsively
- Talks over people
- ‘Butts in’.
- Loses control of emotions easily.
- Is accident prone.
- Has difficulty waiting for their turn.
- Acts without thinking.
- Has little or no sense of danger.
Overactivity or hyperactivity
- Is unable to sit still and constantly fidgets.
- Leaves their seat in situations where remaining seated is expected.
- Is unable to play quietly.
- Behaves ‘as though driven by a motor’.
- Talks too much.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
In Aotearoa New Zealand, a diagnosis of ADHD may be made by a paediatrician, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, or a psychologist.
Gathering information
The health professional will meet with you and your child. They will gather information from you and your child's school. This might include some questionnaires for you and your child's teacher to complete.
There is no single test to diagnose ADHD. Making a diagnosis may take more than one appointment.
Making a diagnosis of ADHD
For a diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms need to be obvious in more than one setting of a child's life (such as home and school or daycare).
The symptoms also need to be having an impact on day to day functioning. It's important to make sure the symptoms are not due to another problem like hearing difficulties, sleep problems, learning difficulties.
Can children with ADHD sometimes have other problems?
Yes, children with ADHD are more likely to have:
- learning difficulties
- anxiety
- depression
- disruptive behaviour.
If you're worried about other problems, talk to your healthcare provider.
What should I do if I think my child might have ADHD?
If you are concerned about your child, talk to your family doctor and teacher. Sometimes teachers may be the first to raise concerns and suggest that you and your child see your family doctor.
Your family doctor may arrange a referral to a paediatrician, child psychiatrist or psychologist to make an assessment.
What treatments are available for ADHD?
There is no cure for ADHD, but in most cases, symptoms can be managed.
In preschool children diagnosed with ADHD behaviour and parenting strategies usually help.
In school-aged children, behavioural strategies work best in combination with medicine. Your child may also be able to get extra support at school. Talk to your child's teacher.
Behaviour strategies can help
- Positive parenting programmes – having a child with ADHD can be more challenging as a parent. It helps to learn a range of strategies so that if the first thing you try doesn't work, you have other options in your parenting toolbox.
- Home and classroom strategies.
- Counselling.
Medicines
Stimulants are an effective treatment
In school-aged children, medicines called ‘stimulants’ are the most effective treatment for ADHD. For some children, a combination of behaviour therapy and medicine works even better.
Parents and teachers often notice that children with ADHD have a significant improvement in their symptoms when they start taking medicine.
How stimulants can help
Stimulant medicine can help your child with ADHD to:
- concentrate better
- be less impulsive
- feel calmer
- learn and practice new skills.
Stimulants are safe
While some parents may understandably feel cautious about starting their child on this medicine, it is important to know that stimulant medicines do not affect your child's personality or brain, and are not addictive. These medicines have been used safely for many years in children with ADHD.
Methylphenidate
The most common stimulant medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand is methylphenidate. This has a number of different names such as Ritalin or Rubifen. Methylphenidate comes in different forms. Some tablets release the medicine immediately (such as Ritalin and Rubifen) and others release it into the body more slowly over the day (such as Ritalin LA and Rubifen SR).
It may take some time for your doctor and you to find the dose and timing that works best for your child.
Common side effects of methylphenidate
Some side effects can be reduced by starting on a low dose. If your child develops any side effects, talk to your doctor.
Common side effects of methylphenidate may include:
- mild tummy discomfort
- mild headache
- loss of appetite
- difficulty getting to sleep.
Some children can become sad or withdrawn on methylphenidate. It's important to talk to your doctor if this happens to your child. They may need to try another medicine.
Other medicines
There are other stimulants such as dexamphetamine. Your doctor may suggest this if your child cannot take methylphenidate or if methylphenidate has not improved your child's symptoms.
If stimulant medicines don't work for your child, there are other medicines you can use. Your doctor can tell you more about these.
Animated videos to help children understand ADHD
You can watch a series of animated videos ‘Me and My ADHD’. They aim to help tamariki understand ADHD.
There is a parents' guide to the child video series.
That's Me, I Have ADHD!
(Centre For ADHD Awareness, Canada, 2019)
When my ADHD gets me into trouble
(Centre For ADHD Awareness, Canada, 2019)
My ADHD at school
(Centre For ADHD Awareness, Canada, 2019)
References
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents – clinical features and diagnosis UpToDate, 2022
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – diagnosis and management National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline, UK, 2019
- ADHD – clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents American Academy of Pediatrics, US, 2019
- ADHD – an overview The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Australia, 2019
- Te Reo Hāpai A Māori language glossary for use in the mental health, addiction and disability sectors
| Content shared between HealthInfo Canterbury, KidsHealth and Health Navigator NZ as part of a National Health Content Hub Collaborative. |