Explaining to your child they have ADHD - CHADD's ADHD Pare...

CHADD's ADHD Parents Together

22,739 members6,090 posts

Explaining to your child they have ADHD

Gelz68 profile image
15 Replies

Any ideas on how to explain to your child (ours is 7 years old) that they have ADHD in a way they can understand and feel comfortable about it?

Written by
Gelz68 profile image
Gelz68
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
15 Replies
Gelz68 profile image
Gelz68

Thanks! That was great. He will love it.

Pennywink profile image
Pennywink

We also initially used the race car analog at @ age 6. Our son was really into Lightning McQueen, so that made it easier. We mostly talked just about symptoms & helping them. Only more recently (now he’s almost 8) have started using the term ADHD. He’s heard it at school with other kids, so it clicked with him.

Gelz68 profile image
Gelz68

Thank you!

RCJH8610 profile image
RCJH8610

I was honest with my 8 year old daughter and explained to her exactly what ADHD is and how it effects people. She was comfortable about it more specifically because I have ADHD as well and was able to show her that I take the same medication to be able to concentrate at work.

Cjkchamp profile image
Cjkchamp

My son loved trains. At occupational therapy they talked to him about the engine in his body and how it would run fast. When he would get too amped up we would talk to him about his engine and it worked pretty well.

dubstepMaul profile image
dubstepMaul

When my son was 6, I bought him the book Shelley the Hyperactive Turtle. Probably really dated at this point as that was over 20 years ago. But it opened the conversation about ADHD and how his brain worked differently. He was fine with it and had a good understanding from early on.

Gelz68 profile image
Gelz68 in reply to dubstepMaul

I will look into a book too. That is a good idea. Thanks!

Ldydy24 profile image
Ldydy24 in reply to Gelz68

I did the same. I bought the book on Amazon and had my son share it with his class so they would also understand why he sometimes got impulsive or had too much energy. Definitely age appropriate for 7 year olds.

Gelz68 profile image
Gelz68 in reply to Ldydy24

To share with his classmates is a great idea! Thx!

Klmamma profile image
Klmamma

The Cory Stories is a great book too!!

Gelz68 profile image
Gelz68 in reply to Klmamma

I saw those too. Thx!

Klmamma profile image
Klmamma in reply to Gelz68

Check out your library. There are some amazing books geared right to that I year old reading level. There is one I liked in particular, I'll see it if j can find the title. It went over everything from school to home to friendships. It explained things and also had very helpful tips and tricks.

Gelz68 profile image
Gelz68 in reply to Klmamma

Thanks! I think it is helpful for others also so that they can understand that he doesn't want to do some things that he does it is just that he cannot help it. We have an appt tomorrow to see if we can get him on some meds as was suggested by the psychologist in his eval. Here's to better days ahead :-)

Klmamma profile image
Klmamma in reply to Gelz68

We do not use the phrase cant help it in our house. Kids with ADHD tend to not be great with accountability of their own actions. My son will apologize for the thing he did by saying sorry sometimes I struggle with.....I'm working on it.

Klmamma profile image
Klmamma in reply to Klmamma

CBT is also beyond helpful. My son is only 5 so we haven't gone the meds route yet.

You may also like...

How long has your child been diagnosed with ADHD?

series asks about when you first discovered your child had ADHD. How long has your child been...

Does the school need to know if your child is on ADHD medication?

My stepdaughter took her 5 year old son to a psychiatrist who evaluated her son and put him on...

What are some ways that you provide encouragement and praise for your child with ADHD?

With this in mind, how do you provide encouragement and praise for your child with ADHD?

Explain diagnosis to child?

and how did you explain to your child about an ADHD diagnosis? He takes medication, I’ve explained...

Dealing with Autistic/ADHD child

and anything else they can think of. He hasn't been in school a month and they have suspended him...