Hello everyone, I’m Dr Daniel Peyton, and today I’d like to talk about understanding ADHD in children — what the symptoms look like, and how to recognise when they may be affecting your child’s daily life.

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What ADHD Looks Like

ADHD symptoms tend to cluster into two main areas:

1. Inattention – difficulty concentrating, staying organised, or completing tasks.
2. Hyperactivity and Impulsivity – fidgeting, being constantly “on the go,” acting before thinking, or struggling to wait their turn.

Some children have mostly inattention symptoms, others have a lot of both inattention and hyperactivity symptoms, and some children have mostly hyperactivity without many inattention symptoms.

It’s important to remember that every child can be forgetful or restless at times. The difference in children with ADHD is that these behaviours occur much more often, are persistent for at least six months, and cause significant challenges in everyday life — whether that’s at school, at home, or socially.

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Common Signs of Inattention

Children with ADHD may:

• Struggle to pay attention or make careless mistakes.
• Lose focus easily, especially with longer or boring tasks.
• Appear not to listen when spoken to directly.
• Start tasks but fail to finish them.
• Have trouble organising schoolwork or personal items.
• Avoid or dislike tasks that require sustained mental effort.
• Frequently lose important things, or forget everyday activities.

Common Signs of Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

These children may:

• Fidget or tap their hands and feet constantly.
• Leave their seat at times when they’re expected to stay seated — like at the dinner table or in class.
• Run or climb excessively, especially in inappropriate settings.
• Be described as “always on the go” or as if “driven by a motor.”
• Talk excessively or blurt out answers before a question is finished.
• Struggle to wait their turn or interrupt others often.

When It Becomes a Significant Problem

ADHD isn’t diagnosed because a child is inattentive or restless. We all have different temperaments, with natural variations that exist in each child's strenghts and weaknesses - and that doesn't make it ADHD. We diagnose ADHD when these symptoms are frequent, long-lasting, and cause a significant impact.

For one child, that might mean struggling academically below their potential; for another, it might mean difficulties making or keeping friends, or having mental health problems because of their ADHD symptoms.

Understanding ADHD as a pattern of persistent difficulties, rather than occasional behaviours, helps parents see that their child isn’t being lazy or defiant — their brain simply works differently.

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Why ADHD Happens

ADHD is primarily genetic in origin. It’s not caused by poor parenting, diet, or too much screen time — although these factors can influence how symptoms appear day to day. A child with ADHD is born with a brain that processes attention, motivation, and self-regulation differently.

It’s never their fault. Just as we wouldn’t criticise a child with a weak ankle for limping, we shouldn’t criticise a child with ADHD for finding it hard to sit still, focus, or remember instructions. Their challenges are real and neurological — not a matter of willpower or choice. The key is to understand how their brain works and find ways to support them, rather than punish or shame them for things they can’t control.

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Final Thoughts

Children with ADHD experience the world differently. Their brains are wired for curiosity, energy, and rapid shifts in attention — qualities that can make life both exciting and challenging. Recognising ADHD early, understanding its causes, and responding with empathy helps children thrive in environments that suit their unique way of thinking and learning.

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