How is the ADHD Brain Different?

A weekly update of content from childmind.org featuring parenting advice, in-depth articles, and the latest thinking on children’s mental health and learning disorders.

January 17, 2023

Incredible advancements in research have allowed us to better understand the way kids with ADHD might think and behave. Studies have shown that the brains of kids with ADHD develop differently than those of other kids. Those differences can be connected to common symptoms of the disorder, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Researchers have also discovered variations in both the size and function of some brain regions that could affect skills like time management and organization.

This week on childmind.org, we explore what makes the ADHD brain different. And we’ve rounded up other information you need to better understand the disorder. Since ADHD varies for children based on their age, we’ve provided guidance on how to help both preschoolers and teenagers with the disorder. We explain behavioral treatment options. And we help parents understand the long-term effects that stimulant medications, the most common treatment, may have on the brain. With the growing information we have, we’re hopeful that children with ADHD will feel validated in their struggles and receive proper care.