Category: Early Childhood Development

Home is where children with ADHDspend the majority of their time —and where the right strategies makethe most significant difference todaily family functioning. The homeenvironment can either amplify thechallenges of ADHD or significantlycompensate for them — depending onhow it is structured and how parentsrespond to ADHD-related difficulties. This article covers what the researchshows about the…

ADHD and anxiety frequently occurtogether in children — and the combinationpresents specific challenges thatdiffer from either condition alone.Research finds that approximatelyfifty percent of children with ADHDalso have a significant anxiety disorder —making this one of the most commoncomorbid presentations in child mental health. Understanding how ADHD and anxietyinteract, what the combination lookslike, and what the…

When a child is diagnosed with ADHDthe question that follows almostimmediately is: what do we do now?Treatment for childhood ADHD is oneof the most extensively researchedareas in all of child mental health —and the research provides specific,evidence-based guidance about whatworks, what the options are, andhow to make the best decisions foran individual child. This article…

Parents of very young children whoare concerned about their toddler’sactivity level, attention, and impulsivityfrequently wonder whether what theyare seeing is ADHD — or simply normaltoddler behavior. This is one ofthe most important and most nuancedquestions in early childhood development —because getting it right mattersenormously in both directions. Missing early signs of ADHD meansmissing the opportunity…

Boys with ADHD are diagnosed significantlymore often than girls — and yet manyboys with ADHD are still missed,misunderstood, or misattributed tobehavior problems, immaturity, orsimply being a “typical energetic boy.”Understanding what ADHD actually lookslike in boys — the full range ofsymptoms, not just the most obvioushyperactive presentation — is essentialfor parents who want to recognizeit accurately…

ADHD in girls is one of the mostsignificantly underdiagnosed conditionsin childhood — and the consequencesof missed diagnosis are serious andwell-documented. Research consistentlyfinds that girls with ADHD are diagnosedsignificantly later than boys — oftennot until adolescence or adulthood —and that this delay produces yearsof unnecessary struggle, academicunderachievement, and emotional distress. The reason for the diagnostic gapis…

Recognizing the signs of ADHD inchildren is one of the most important —and most commonly delayed — stepstoward getting a child the supportthey need. Research consistently findsthat children with ADHD wait anaverage of several years betweenthe first appearance of symptomsand receiving an accurate diagnosis —and that this delay significantlyaffects outcomes. This article covers the completerange…

Parenting a child with ADHD involvesa significant learning curve — andsome of the most natural, instinctiveparenting responses turn out to beamong the least effective, or evenactively counterproductive, for childrenwith ADHD. Understanding what notto do — and why — is as importantas understanding what to do. This article covers the most commonparenting and management mistakeswith ADHD…

One of the most challenging momentsin parenting a child with ADHD isthe moment of emotional explosion —the meltdown, the tantrum, the intenseanger or distress that erupts withwhat feels like no warning and resistsevery calming attempt. Understandingwhy children with ADHD struggle sosignificantly with calming down —and what the research shows actuallyhelps — is one of the…

ADHD and behavior problems frequentlygo together — and the combinationis one of the most exhausting andmost misunderstood parenting challenges.The child with ADHD who is alsodefiant, aggressive, or disruptiveis not simply a difficult childwho needs firmer discipline. Theyare a child whose neurological differencesproduce behavior that looks intentionalbut is significantly driven by impairedself-regulation — and who needsa…