Understanding ADHD and Supporting Children’s Wellbeing

Children’s Mental Health Week occurs each February and is a powerful opportunity to focus on the emotional wellbeing of children and young people - including those who experience the world differently due to ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental differences in childhood. Yet many children with ADHD go unrecognised or misunderstood, which can significantly affect their mental health, confidence, and self-esteem.

By raising awareness and encouraging early understanding, Children’s Mental Health Week can help ensure children with ADHD feel supported, accepted, and valued.

Why ADHD Awareness Matters for Children’s Mental Health

ADHD is not simply about attention or activity levels. It affects how children regulate emotions, manage impulses, and cope with everyday demands.

When ADHD is not recognised, children may:

• Feel “different” or misunderstood

• Receive frequent negative feedback at school

• Struggle with friendships

• Experience anxiety, low self-esteem, or emotional distress

  
  

Early awareness and understanding of ADHD can reduce these risks and protect long-term mental wellbeing.

Common ADHD Traits in Children

ADHD presents differently in every child. Some children are highly energetic and impulsive, while others may appear quiet but struggle internally with focus and organisation.

Common ADHD Traits May Include:

• Difficulty sustaining attention

• High levels of restlessness or impulsivity

• Emotional sensitivity or big emotional reactions

• Challenges with organisation and routines

• Forgetfulness or difficulty following instructions

These traits may affect a child’s learning, relationships, and self-esteem, particularly if they are misunderstood as behavioural issues rather than signs of neurodiversity. Recognising these traits early allows children to receive appropriate understanding and support, helping to protect their mental health and support positive development over time.

The Importance of Early Identification

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 highlights the importance of early identification playing a crucial role in supporting a child’s overall development and wellbeing. When ADHD is recognised early, children are more likely to receive appropriate support and understanding that helps them succeed both academically and socially.

Early identification of ADHD can:

• Improve access to appropriate school support

• Help children understand themselves positively

• Reduce feelings of failure or shame

• Support emotional regulation and resilience

• Strengthen relationships with peers and adults

  
  

When children understand why things feel difficult, they are more likely to develop confidence and self-compassion.

Without identification, ADHD-related behaviours may be misunderstood as laziness, defiance, or lack of effort, which can negatively affect a child’s self-esteem and relationships.

Early identification helps parents, teachers, and caregivers better understand a child’s needs, leading to more consistent and compassionate responses across home and school environments. This can reduce stress, frustration, and conflict for the child and those around them.

Importantly, recognising ADHD early can help protect a child’s mental health. Children with unidentified ADHD are at higher risk of anxiety, depression, and feelings of failure due to repeated challenges and unmet needs. Early support helps children build coping strategies, develop confidence, and understand their neurodiversity in a positive way, laying the foundation for healthier long-term outcomes.

ADHD, Co-Occurring Conditions, and Emotional Wellbeing

Research shows that ADHD often co-occurs with other neurodevelopmental differences, such as autism, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties.

This overlap means children may need personalised, expert assessment to fully understand their strengths and challenges. A holistic approach ensures no child is overlooked and emotional needs are properly supported.

Supporting Children with ADHD at Home and School

Children with ADHD thrive when adults around them understand their needs and adapt environments accordingly.

Helpful Support Strategies Include:

• Clear routines and predictable structures

• Positive reinforcement and strengths-based approaches

• Emotional validation and calm communication

• Flexible teaching strategies and reasonable adjustments

• Open conversations about feelings and differences

  
  

Supportive environments play a crucial role in protecting children’s mental health.

A Message for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

At Jacobs Clinic, we offer a comprehensive assessment and treatment program for children with ADHD. All our initial appointments will be face to face with our specialist doctor in our clinic based in a child-friendly GP Practice in Sale. Our clinicians use NICE-approved tools such as QbTest, alongside detailed questionnaires, to build a clear picture of each child’s needs.

Children’s Mental Health Week reminds us that ADHD is not a failure of behaviour or effort, it’s a difference in how the brain works.

With understanding, early support, and compassion, children with ADHD can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

Every child deserves to feel understood.

Every child’s mental health matters.

Read more about what to expect from an ADHD assessment at Jacobs Clinic.