Understanding ADHD

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition where the brain works differently to most people. It is a neurodevelopmental condition — meaning it affects how the brain develops, particularly the parts responsible for focus, planning, and self-control. These are also known as executive function skills.

    It is important to understand that ADHD is not a reflection of your child's intelligence, character, or your parenting. ADHD is not another word for a naughty child, and it is not caused by poor parenting. It is a recognised neurodevelopmental condition that affects children all over the world, and with the right support, children with ADHD can thrive.

  • Symptoms of ADHD involve a person's ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive), and their ability to control their impulses (being impulsive). Most children show a combination of all three, though some lean more heavily towards one type.

    You might notice your child:

    • Struggling to concentrate or finish tasks, making careless mistakes, or appearing to "switch off" during activities that don't hold their interest

    • Finding it very difficult to sit still, fidgeting constantly, or getting up when they are expected to remain seated

    • Acting before thinking — blurting out answers, interrupting others, or taking risks without considering the consequences

    • Losing things frequently, forgetting instructions, or struggling to organise themselves and their belongings

    • Finding it hard to wait their turn or manage frustration when things don't go their way

    It is important to recognise that people with ADHD can also have many strengths, such as creativity, energy, and an ability to express themselves quickly and freely.

    • Talk to your child's doctor and describe what you are observing — be as specific as possible, noting when and where behaviours occur

    • Speak to your child's teacher or school SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), as the input of teachers as observers in a structured school environment is crucial to the assessment process

    • Request a formal assessment — the diagnosis is made by a qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in ADHD, such as a paediatrician, psychiatrist, or clinical psychologist

    • Don't wait for a formal diagnosis to seek support — many strategies can be put in place at home and school in the meantime

  • ADHD does not define your child's potential. Many people with ADHD go on to be creative, energetic, passionate, and highly successful in fields that play to their strengths. With the right understanding, support, and strategies in place, children with ADHD can build the skills they need to manage their challenges and flourish — at school, at home, and in the world around them.

How ABA Therapy can Support

  • Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that focuses on understanding why behaviours occur and using that understanding to teach new skills and support positive change. It works by breaking skills down into small, manageable steps, using positive reinforcement to encourage progress, and practising across real-life settings so that skills are maintained.

    ABA therapy is highly individualized, but commonly addresses areas like:

    • Communication — helping your child learn to ask for what they need, respond to questions, and eventually hold conversations

    • Social skills — taking turns, making eye contact, playing alongside or with other children, and reading social cues

    • Daily living skills — toileting, dressing, eating, brushing teeth, and building independence in routines

    • Reducing behaviours of concern — behaviours like tantrums, aggression, or self-injury are understood as communication. ABA helps identify what your child is trying to express, and teaches safer, more effective ways to meet that need

    • School readiness — sitting, attending, following instructions, and engaging in group settings

    • Play and leisure — learning to play meaningfully, imaginatively, and with others

  • Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is perhaps best known for its use with autism, but its underlying principles — understanding behaviour, teaching skills systematically, and using positive reinforcement — translate powerfully to supporting children with ADHD as well.

    ABA therapy's evidence-based strategies have been successfully adapted to assist children with attention difficulties such as those associated with ADHD, through personalised interventions focusing on building essential behavioural and executive functioning skills.

  • Many parents picture ABA as rigid and repetitive — sitting at a table doing drills. Modern, evidence-based ABA looks quite different. Sessions are often:

    • Play-based and child-led, especially for younger children

    • Built around your child's interests and motivations

    • Focused on natural, everyday situations — not just structured exercises

    • Warm, positive, and relationship-driven

    Your therapist will use strategies like positive reinforcement (celebrating and rewarding progress), breaking skills into small, manageable steps, and practicing in real-life settings so that skills generalize beyond the therapy room — at home, at school, and in the community.

  • You are the most important person in your child's life, and ABA works best when families are involved. Your therapist will regularly share what they're working on and teach you strategies to use throughout the day — during mealtimes, bath time, outings, and play. This consistency between sessions is one of the biggest factors in your child's progress.

  • Every child is different, but many families begin to notice meaningful changes within the first few months of consistent therapy. The earlier intervention begins, the greater the potential impact — though children of all ages can benefit from ABA support.

  • When looking for support, you want a program that:

    • Is led or closely supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

    • Creates a truly individualized plan based on your child's specific needs and your family's goals

    • Values caregiver involvement and keeps you informed every step of the way

    • Uses a compassionate, strengths-based approach — celebrating what your child can do, not just focusing on deficits

    • Measures and tracks progress regularly, and adjusts the plan accordingly

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