ADHD begins in childhood and approximately 5% of children are diagnosed. However, the number may be higher due to the condition going unrecognised and undiagnosed, especially in girls. Many children have the symptoms persist into adulthood. The symptoms are the same as in adults, however, in children it may look like naughty or disruptive behaviour, or as though the child is a day dreamer. 

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Treatment for children:

• Medication: a number of medications have been found to be effective in the short term. If medication is used then it is most effective when used in conjunction with psychological, social and educational supports. 

• Behavioural parent training: involves the parents learning about ADHD and to learn and use a range of positive and effective disciplinary strategies to address the day to day issues. This is due to children with ADHD receiving 20 000 more negative messages from parents, teachers, and other adults than their friends or siblings without ADHD.

• Social Skills training: training the adults in the child’s life to teach, model and encourage positive social behaviours and how to use these behaviours in relationships with peers.

• School based interventions: involve supportive strategies such as changing the layout of the classroom to reduce distractions, modifying work, emphasising behavioural goals that have fair, logical and immediate consequences for both appropriate and inappropriate behaviours.