What is ADHD?
ADHD is sometimes called "hyperkinetic disorder". It is also referred to as "attention deficit disorder" (ADD) when problems are mainly due to difficulties with attention rather than overactivity.
It is a behavioural disorder characterised by difficulties in the areas of attention, activity level and impulse control. These difficulties are present before the age of 7 and can affect many areas of the child's and family's life. Around 1.5% of 5–15-year-olds in the UK have ADHD at any given point, with prevalence rising to 4–8% in the general population and up to 20% in children and young people with intellectual disability. It is more common in boys.
Who came up with the term ADHD?
There are references to conditions with similar symptoms as far back as the 1700s. ADHD was defined more specifically in the late 1800s by Sir George Frederick Still, sometimes called the 'father of British paediatrics'. He described 43 children who had serious problems with sustained attention and self-regulation - children who were often aggressive, defiant, and resistant to discipline, excessively emotional, and unable to learn from the consequences of their actions, despite normal intellect.
It is only within the last 30 years or so that the American Psychiatric Association agreed 'ADHD' was the best term to describe the condition. It remains a relatively recent diagnosis, with considerable uncertainty and stigma still attached to it - which is why raising awareness and understanding of ADHD is central to the work of Nip in the Bud.
The symptoms of ADHD in children
The symptoms of ADHD fall into three main areas: attention, overactivity and impulsivity.
- Attention: Children with ADHD may have listening difficulties and find it hard to follow instructions. They may make careless mistakes in schoolwork, be easily distracted, daydream frequently, and lose things.
- Overactivity: A child with ADHD may squirm or fidget, leave their seat without permission, or talk excessively. They often move quickly and forcefully, with little awareness of their impact on those around them.
- Impulsivity: ADHD can make it difficult for a child to wait for things. They may interrupt conversations, struggle to take turns, be easily tempted, and take risks with little sense of danger.
What are the risk factors for ADHD?
ADHD is not caused by bad parenting. The precise cause in all cases is still unknown, but several factors may contribute:
- Genetics: ADHD tends to run in families, though inheritance is complex and unlikely to be linked to a single genetic fault.
- Brain function and structure: Some people with ADHD show differences in the size of particular brain areas or a chemical imbalance.
- Other factors: Being born prematurely, having a low birth weight, or brain damage — including damage caused by alcohol, smoking or drug use during pregnancy — may also play a role.
How to seek help for ADHD
Many children will show some level of inattentiveness, overactivity or poor impulse control, particularly when very young, anxious, or when they have special learning needs. However, when these symptoms are greater than would be expected for the child's age and stage of development, and are interfering with learning or other aspects of functioning at school, a referral to a specialist should be considered.
Even when tantrums and other disruptive behaviours are more evident than classic ADHD symptoms, it is always worth seeking a specialist assessment so that ADHD can be properly evaluated.
Who to refer to
A GP, school SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) or teacher can make a referral to the relevant local service — such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), a community paediatrician, or another appropriate local support service. Once accepted, the child will undergo an assessment to better understand their difficulties and identify the most appropriate treatment.
You can also visit our Where to Get Help page for further support.
