--- title: 'Our community weighs in: Explaining ADHD to your child' description: When is the right time to tell kids they have ADHD? What’s the best way to explain the ADHD diagnosis? Get suggestions from parents who’ve been there. slug: explaining-adhd-to-your-child author: Tara Drinks published: '2019-10-16T12:10:24.911Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/2xRqa4S6UR0q3HM9DTrAeK/aea01cf90b69ebe85fc50dc2d540edbf/G83585634.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/explaining-adhd-to-your-child lang: en --- # Our community weighs in: Explaining ADHD to your child If you’ve [recently found out your child has ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/my-child-was-just-diagnosed-with-adhd-now-what), it may be helpful to hear from other parents who’ve also been there. We asked our [Facebook community](https://www.facebook.com/Understood/photos/a.372866566073049.107006.132812103411831/2001759326517090/?type=3&theater) to share how and when they talked to their kids about ADHD. Here’s what they said. “As soon as we began testing with the psychologist, [we talked about it](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-what-not-to-say-to-child). We chose to frame it as energetic not hyper, aware not unfocused, committed not obsessed.”⁠ *—⁠Kristine * “Having ADHD myself, it has been a continuous conversation with him since [I started to see signs](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/signs-of-adhd-at-different-ages). It started with telling him that I think he has a brain like mommy’s. This has progressed into, here are some of the tools I use to help myself, some of the things I feel during the day. Trying to build his awareness around his own thought patterns and what helps.” ⁠*—⁠Erin * “Instead of telling him about his diagnosis, I told him about mine — my struggles and my triumphs. I explained how I’ve used it to my advantage. It’s not a bad thing in our house.”⁠ *—⁠Jessica * “We sat him down and went over his reports just as the psychologist did with us. We explained his [ADD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/difference-between-add-adhd) and dyslexia diagnoses, and [explained his strengths](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/types-of-strengths-in-kids) as well. We told him how his brain is just wired different and he can learn the same things, he just needs to learn it in the way his brain works.”⁠ *—⁠Julie * “As soon as he was diagnosed in the second grade, I didn’t want him to feel shame. I have always talked openly and sometimes share articles from Understood when I think it fits him. The biggest thing I focus on is that ADHD is his normal and that is OK, but it is not an excuse.” *—⁠Nicole* “Both of my children were diagnosed around first grade (girl) and second grade (boy). We were always open with them and explained age appropriately, then broadened the explanations as they were ready.” *—⁠Lori Ann* “They were tested in second grade and were in the room for the diagnosis. They knew something was challenging for them and deserved to be part of the process of finding support.” *—⁠Kim* “I explained ADHD when he began [taking medication](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-medication). He wanted to know why and I explained that it helps his brain focus on things. I always refer to his brain — not him as a whole. This has helped. *—⁠Hannah* “I made it a part of his entire life. No big reveal, just talked about it all the time. Sharing both the joys and struggles of having ADHD.” *—⁠Cindy* --- Hear more from our Facebook community: Read [20 things parents wish people knew about ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/our-community-weighs-in-20-things-parents-wish-people-knew-about-adhd). --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Understanding ADHD in your child](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/adhd-in-children) - ADHD is a very common condition in kids and adults. But kids who have it are often misunderstood. You may not yet know if your child has ADHD \(also called ADD\). But if your child has trouble with focus, or is hyperactiveand impulsive,there are many ways to help at school and at home. One of the myth - [Our community weighs in: 20 things parents wish people knew about ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/our-community-weighs-in-20-things-parents-wish-people-knew-about-adhd) - No one knows your child better than you do. And in our Facebook community, families were eager to offer what they wish other people knew about parenting a child with ADHD. Heres what they shared. - The hardest thing about ADHD is that its invisible to outsiders. Its not like other conditions that - [I think my child has ADHD. Now what?](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/does-my-child-have-adhd) - If youve seen your child struggle with focus and self-control, you may worry its ADHD. You might be feeling anxious about what to do or what the future might hold. But there are a few things to know that can help make the possibility of ADHD less scary. First, ADHD is very common. Second, its a real --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/explaining-adhd-to-your-child#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/explaining-adhd-to-your-child","description":"When is the right time to tell kids they have ADHD? 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