Child & Teen ADHD

ADHD and tics can occur together in children, but one doesn’t automatically explain the other. Around one in five children with ADHD also have Tourette syndrome or a persistent tic disorder, while more than half of children with Tourette syndrome also have ADHD. Understanding the difference between...

A toddler who kicks and spits isn’t necessarily showing signs of ADHD. Hitting, kicking, biting and spitting can happen when a young child feels overwhelmed and hasn’t yet developed the impulse control to stop themselves; according to the NHS, aggressive behaviour can include hitting, spitting, kick...

Defiance isn’t always deliberate. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) involves a persistent pattern of emotional and behavioural symptoms lasting at least six months, which can disrupt family life, school or social activities. Oppositional defiance and ADHD can occur together; impulsivity linked wit...

A child’s refusal may be a response to anxiety, not deliberate defiance. Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is widely considered a profile on the autism spectrum, and demand avoidance is understood as a response to anxiety. These top 10 tips for parents of a child with demand avoidance offer practi...

What if the "defiance" you encounter every day isn't a choice or a lack of discipline, but a neurological SOS for safety and autonomy? If you're living with someone who seems to recoil from the simplest requests, you likely know the chronic exhaustion that comes from constant negotiation. You might...

What if difficult behaviour is not simply something to stop, but a signal that your child needs help with something they can’t yet explain? If you’ve found yourself asking, “what do you do when your child has bad behaviour?”, you’re not alone. Repeated arguments, outbursts or refusals can leave you...

What might a child miss out on when ADHD needs go unrecognised or unsupported? The cost of not treating childhood ADHD isn’t simply about schoolwork. Ongoing difficulties with attention, organisation or impulsivity can affect a child’s confidence, friendships and family life, particularly when their...

What do you do when your child picks their skin till it bleeds? It’s understandable to feel alarmed and want the behaviour to stop straight away. A calm response can help you care for the wound without adding shame or pressure. Skin picking can happen for different reasons. Your child may be reactin...

Imagine your child finally finding focus at school, only to face a difficult "crash" of irritability and sleep disturbances the moment they step through the front door. For many parents, the traditional path of stimulants feels like an uneasy trade-off between academic success and evening peace. Sti...

What if the pupil who constantly disrupts your lesson isn't actually trying to be difficult, but is instead struggling with a brain wired to process the world at a different frequency? It's a question many educators face as they strive to balance the needs of neurodivergent children with the relentl...

What if the relentless cycle of "no" and the explosive reactions you encounter daily aren't signs of a "bad" child or a failed parenting strategy, but rather a biological reflex? For many families and professionals in the UK, the term opposional defiance carries a heavy weight of stigma and exhausti...

Did you know that up to 50% of individuals diagnosed with ADHD also develop a substance use disorder? It's a staggering figure that highlights a hard truth: your teen's choices might have less to do with rebellion and everything to do with a brain that's desperately seeking the dopamine it lacks. Di...

What if the "lie" your child just told wasn't a deliberate choice, but a neurological survival strategy? It's a heavy burden to carry when you feel you cannot trust your child's words, and the exhaustion of constant "detective work" at home can leave any parent feeling depleted. You might worry abou...

What if the hours your child spends behind a screen aren't a sign of defiance, but a frantic search for the dopamine his brain is naturally lacking? It is exhausting to feel like the 'bad guy' every time you try to set a boundary, only to be met with another explosive argument. You may find yourself...

You see their potential. You know they are bright, inquisitive, and capable. Yet, the daily reality is one of friction and frustration. Perhaps your son is constantly in trouble at school, labelled as ‘disruptive’ or ‘naughty’ for being unable to sit still, his report cards a litany of unmet potenti...

This UK-focused parent guide explores teenage phone addiction and its impact on mental health, sleep, learning, and family relationships. Written with professional, evidence-based insight, it explains why teenagers are vulnerable to excessive smartphone use and offers practical, calm strategies parents can use to set boundaries, reduce conflict, and help teens develop a healthier relationship with technology at home.

This UK-based guide explains how parents can secure reasonable adjustments at school for a child with ADHD. Written with doctor-informed insight, it covers the legal duties of schools under the Equality Act 2010, practical examples of effective adjustments, how to work collaboratively with SENCos and teachers, and when to seek further support. Clear, reassuring, and evidence-based, it empowers parents to advocate confidently for their child’s educational needs.

Supporting a child with ADHD at school can feel overwhelming — especially when parents are navigating homework struggles, emotional meltdowns, and meetings with teachers who may not fully understand ADHD. This Parent’s Guide to ADHD at School in the UK explains how ADHD affects learning, what reasonable adjustments your child is entitled to under UK law, and how parents can work with schools to help their child thrive academically and emotionally. Understanding ADHD in UK Sch