10 Positive Things to Tell Your Child About ADHD

ADHD is a brain disorder that affects your child’s behavior. It can be easy to focus on how difficult ADHD is, but using positive parenting and language helps your child feel good about themselves and learn how to manage their symptoms.

Learn about how ADHD affects your child and tell them the truth. Don’t just tell them they have a superpower or a gift, though. They will have to work hard at managing their ADHD, so it might not feel like a gift. It’s also important, though, to let them know it’s not their fault and that lots of kids and adults have ADHD. 

Telling your child they have a disorder can make them afraid. Instead, explain that everyone’s brain works differently and describe how ADHD affects your child. Use simple and positive language, like “ADHD makes your brain work faster”.

Your child isn’t their ADHD medical diagnosis, and they also will be more than their condition and symptoms. Help them understand ADHD is not who they are, but something they have.

Talk about ADHD medication as a tool that helps them manage their ADHD symptoms. Don’t tell them they need medication to learn or to “be good”. Assume they are already intelligent and good and talk about medication as a way to help them stay in control. 

ADHD causes challenging behavior that’s hard for your child to control. They might hear a lot of criticism, so it’s important to be positive. Build their self-esteem and praise them when they do something well. 

Explain that things they struggle with are normal for kids with ADHD, just like wearing glasses is normal for kids whose eyes work differently, or using a wheelchair is normal for kids whose legs work differently. Remind them they’re a regular person even if some things are harder for them.

Medical privacy is important, even for kids, but let them know that explaining they have ADHD might help others understand they don’t mean to interrupt or be disruptive. Teach them to say, “I’m sorry about that. I have ADHD and it’s sometimes hard for my body and mind to be still.”. 

Kids with ADHD have trouble linking behavior with consequences and often forget the rules, so they need to practice. Remind them of the rule and be clear. If they get frustrated, remind them that practicing helps with control. 

ADHD might feel frustrating to kids sometimes. Talking positively about ADHD can help your child have a growth mindset. You don’t need to pretend it’s wonderful when it’s hard work, but you can support them with positive language. If they get distracted, you can say, “That makes sense. ADHD gives you lots of new ideas, sometimes all at the same time”.

If your child is feeling frustrated with their symptoms, support their feelings. Let them know that you and their teachers can work together and help them.