ADHD in Children
A difference in brain development that makes focusing, sitting still and waiting harder than for other kids the same age, at home and at school. ADHD kids often bring energy, curiosity and big ideas too. Understanding, the right adjustments and sometimes medicine make a real difference.
The ADHD support ladder for kids
These supports stack rather than replace each other. For children under 6, parent programs come first. Most school-age kids do best with a mix of home, school and, for many, medicine. For the big-picture overview, see our ADHD fact sheet.
- Step 1 · HomeUnderstanding, routines and sleepExplain ADHD to your child as a different kind of brain with strengths, not a flaw. Picture routines, movement breaks and a steady bedtime.
- Works
- Not well tested on its own, but low risk and it makes every other step work better
- Cost
- Free
- How long
- Ongoing, adjusted as they grow
- Watch for
- Trouble sleeping, loud snoring or anxiety: all common alongside ADHD and all worth raising with your GP
“Your brain has a powerful engine and brakes that are still being built” lands better than “try harder”.
- Step 2 · Allied healthParent and carer programsPractical coaching on clear instructions, routines, praise and calmer ways through meltdowns.
- Works
- First choice for children under 6. Behaviour improves moderately in trials, mostly as reported by parents
- Cost
- Some programs are free through community health; a private psychologist is about $200–300 a session, with Medicare rebates on a GP mental health plan
- How long
- Usually 8–12 weekly sessions
- Watch for
- Expecting change without practising at home between sessions
Coaching for a harder-than-average job, not a verdict on your parenting.
- Step 3 · SchoolClassroom adjustments and a learning planSeating away from distractions, tasks broken into chunks, written checklists, movement breaks and extra time, set out in an individual learning plan.
- Works
- Little formal trial evidence, but recommended in guidelines and often what makes school workable
- Cost
- Free. Australian schools must make reasonable adjustments for students with disability, and ADHD counts
- How long
- Reviewed each term or year with the family
- Watch for
- Losing recess as a punishment for restlessness. Movement is part of the fix, not the problem
A wobble cushion is cheaper than a weekly detention.
- Step 4 · PrescriptionStimulant medicine (methylphenidate first; dexamfetamine or lisdexamfetamine)The first-choice medicine from age 6, when ADHD still gets in the way despite the steps above. See methylphenidate and dexamfetamine.
- Works
- In the largest comparison of ADHD medicines (133 trials), methylphenidate was the best first choice for children. About 7 in 10 respond well to the first stimulant tried
- Cost
- $25 per script on the PBS when criteria are met ($7.70 concession)
- How long
- Works within about an hour; the dose is fine-tuned over a few weeks. Some families skip weekends or holidays, with the doctor’s OK
- Watch for
- Smaller appetite, trouble falling asleep, stomach aches. Height and weight are checked every 6 months; a heart check first if there are heart symptoms or a family history of sudden cardiac death
Breakfast first, tablet second. Hungry brains don’t focus either.
- Step 5 · PrescriptionNon-stimulant medicine (guanfacine or atomoxetine; clonidine for sleep or tics)When stimulants don’t suit, don’t help enough, or as an add-on. See guanfacine and clonidine.
- Works
- About half respond well; on average about two-thirds as effective as stimulants
- Cost
- $25 on the PBS for eligible children ($7.70 concession)
- How long
- Taken every day; several weeks to work fully
- Watch for
- Sleepiness, dizziness, low blood pressure. Guanfacine and clonidine must not be stopped suddenly
Less on–off switch, more dimmer that stays on.
- Step 6 · SpecialistPaediatrician or child psychiatristMakes the diagnosis and looks at the whole picture, including autism, learning difficulties, anxiety, tics and sleep.
- Works
- Not a treatment as such: gets the diagnosis right and rules out look-alikes such as hearing problems, sleep apnoea, anaemia, thyroid problems and absence seizures
- Cost
- Public clinics are free but waits are long; private fees vary, with Medicare rebates on a GP referral
- How long
- Waits are often many months. Get on the list early
- Watch for
- GP prescribing rules are changing in some states, so ask your GP what applies where you live
Join the waitlist now. You can always cancel; you can’t un-wait.
Save your money
Popular, heavily marketed or often asked about, but the evidence is weak or says no.
- Banning sugarBlinded trials show sugar doesn’t cause hyperactivity. Birthday parties are exciting with or without the cake.
- Brain scans, EEG (“qEEG”) or gene testsAustralian guidelines found they don’t improve diagnosis. ADHD is diagnosed from a careful history and reports from home and school.
- Neurofeedback and brain-training gamesBenefits are small and inconsistent when tested fairly, and courses are expensive. Kids mostly get better at the game.
- Fish oil and “focus” supplementsAny effect in trials is tiny. Not a substitute for proven support.
- Elimination dietsNot recommended as routine treatment, and strict diets can leave growing kids short of nutrients. Talk to your GP before cutting foods out.
What you can do
- Give one short instruction at a time, close up, then ask them to tell you what they’re doing next.
- Notice and praise effort straight away. ADHD kids hear “no” and “stop” far more than other kids do.
- Break homework into 15–20 minute chunks with a movement break between.
- Share the diagnosis and what helps with the school, and ask for an individual learning plan.
- Feed their interests. Sport, music, building or art are great outlets, and the ability to hyperfocus on something they love is a strength.
- Plan food around medicine: breakfast before the dose, and a decent snack or dinner when appetite returns.
- Look after yourself too. ADHD runs in families, and many parents recognise themselves; see ADHD in adults.
See your GP if
- Trouble with attention, restlessness or impulses has lasted 6 months or more, shows up at home and at school, and is more than other kids the same age
- School reports keep saying “capable but distracted”, or your child is struggling with friends or feeling bad about themselves
- There are sleep problems, loud snoring, anxiety, low mood or tics
- Your child is on ADHD medicine and losing weight, sleeping badly, seems flat or unusually emotional
Call 000 (or your local emergency number) for chest pain, fainting, or a racing heart that won’t settle. See a doctor the same day for hallucinations, severe agitation or very low mood on ADHD medicine. Kids and teens can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (24/7, Australia).
Common questions
What are the signs of ADHD in children?
Signs fall into two groups. Inattention: drifting off, losing things, not finishing tasks, seeming not to listen. Hyperactivity and impulsivity: fidgeting, running or climbing at the wrong times, talking a lot, interrupting and struggling to wait. Many children have both. Lots of young kids do these things sometimes; in ADHD they’re more frequent and get in the way at home and school.
How is ADHD diagnosed in a child?
There’s no blood test or scan. A paediatrician or child psychiatrist takes a detailed history and gathers reports from parents and teachers, often with questionnaires. Signs need to have started before age 12, lasted at least 6 months and show up in more than one place, such as home and school. Hearing, vision and sleep are usually checked too.
What causes ADHD?
Mostly genes: it often runs in families. Being born early and brain injury raise the chance. It isn’t caused by bad parenting, sugar or screens.
Will my child grow out of ADHD?
Some do, partly. Hyperactivity often eases in the teens, but trouble with attention tends to stay. In one long-term study, about 1 in 7 still had full ADHD at 25 and about two-thirds had some ongoing symptoms. Skills and support built in childhood carry forward.
Do ADHD medicines affect growth?
Stimulants can reduce appetite and slow weight gain in some children. That’s why height and weight are checked every 6 months. If growth slows, the dose, timing or medicine can be changed.
Should I say “has ADHD” or “is an ADHDer”?
Either is fine. Some people prefer person-first language (“a child with ADHD”); many in the ADHD community prefer identity-first (“an ADHDer”, “an ADHD kid”), because ADHD is part of how they think, not something they carry around. We use both. If you’re not sure, ask the person what they prefer.
Helpful resources
- Raising Children Network: Supporting children with ADHDPractical home and school strategies, from a government-funded parenting site. Free, Australia.
- ADHD AustraliaNational not-for-profit with information for families and schools, plus an online community. Free.
- Kids HelplineFree, private counselling for kids and teens by phone (1800 55 1800) or webchat, 24/7. Australia.
Evidence and more information
- AADPA: Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for ADHD (2022)
- Summary of the Australian ADHD guideline (prevalence, diagnosis, monitoring)
- NICE: ADHD diagnosis and management (NG87)
- Raising Children Network: Managing ADHD, 5–11 years
- NHS (Royal Wolverhampton): What is ADHD? A parent’s guide
- Lancet Psychiatry (2018): Comparing ADHD medicines in children and adults
maladywise.com/adhd-kids/