Resources

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects a child’s ability to control attention and behavior. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, and/or being overly active. These attention and behavior challenges can lead to problems at home, school, and in relationships.

Learn more about ADHD, symptoms and causes, testing and diagnosis, and treatment options.

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in helping their child succeed in school, relationships, and life. For parents and caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it can be very challenging to find ways to help their child succeed. However, with the right resources and support, parents and caregivers can begin to make positive changes in their child’s life.

Learn how to help your child with the Seven Ways to Start Making Positive Changes.

Teachers and educators serve a direct role in fostering the academic and social-emotional skills necessary for students to succeed in school and beyond. Students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may show symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or a combination of both. While many young students can sometimes have difficulty paying attention or sitting still, students with ADHD display these behaviors beyond what is considered age-appropriate. Learn more about how ADHD affects students in the classroom.

Resources

• US. Department of Education - Teaching Children with ADHD: Instructional Strategies and Practices
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) - For Educators
• Intervention Central: Intervention Central provides information about classroom behavior management strategies and progress monitoring tools
• Understood: Understood provides resources about students with learning and thinking differences for educators, such as:
  • 504 Plans: A Guide for Teachers
  • For Teachers: How to Read an IEP
  • For Teachers: What to Expect in an IEP Meeting

Alongside other professionals, clinicians identify children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and coordinate care to ensure proper treatment and management of ADHD.

ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood, occurring in in 5-8% of school-age children, and is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with daily life functioning or development.

The Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines the criteria used to make a diagnosis of ADHD.

Learn more about diagnosing ADHD, clinical practice guidelines, and co-occurring conditions.

The PASS Video Series is a collection of short, educational videos presented by study team members on topics related to ADHD and useful services for families of children with ADHD.

Resources

• Center for Management of ADHD
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ADHD
• National Institute of Mental Health - ADHD
• Education Law Center of Pennsylvania
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
• National Alliance of Mental Illness

In the Media

• Reducing Disparities in Behavioral Health Treatment for Children With ADHD in Primary Care