What is ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that reflects the unique ways a person’s brain manages focus, energy, and self-regulation.
People with ADHD may experience challenges with executive functions—skills like organizing, prioritizing, and maintaining focus—which can impact how they approach tasks and make decisions.
There are three “types” of ADHD:
Hyperactive
(i.e. Tigger from Winnie the Pooh)
Inattentive
(i.e. the daydreamer)
Combined
(a little bit of both
Inattentive and Hyperactive).
These symptoms can wreak significant havoc on one’s life when not well managed; however, many individuals with ADHD also have astonishing strengths, such as out of the box problem solving, creativity and boundless energy and enthusiasm.
What is executive functioning and why is it important?
Think of your brain’s executive functions as the ultimate parenting team that helps you juggle everything from school drop-offs to family meals, and everything in between.
It’s like a group of helpful “team members” who keep your day organized and running smoothly, making sure you stay on top of tasks and are able to manage daily challenges.
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1. Inhibition: The “Pause Button”
Imagine you’re about to snap at your child because you’ve had a stressful day.
Your brain’s inhibition is like hitting the “pause button”—it helps you take a moment to breathe, count to three, and think before reacting.
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2. Working Memory: The “Mental Clipboard”
Working memory is your brain’s “mental clipboard” that keeps track of all the to-do lists you’re juggling. For example, it’s that little voice reminding you, “Don’t forget to grab the snacks for your child’s soccer game,” or “You need to call the doctor for an appointment next week.” Working memory helps you keep everything organized in your mind, so you don’t forget important details, even when you’re doing a hundred other things.
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3. Cognitive Flexibility: “Thinking on the spot”
Sometimes, life throws you curveballs—like when your child suddenly gets sick or school is canceled last minute.
Cognitive flexibility is the part of your brain the allows you to change without freaking out. For example, you quickly shift from preparing for a busy workday to managing a sick child at home.
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4. Planning and Organization: The “Family Scheduler”
You know that feeling when you have 1,000 things on your plate, from meal prep to school projects to appointments? Planning and organization is your “family scheduler” that helps you break down big tasks and prioritize what needs to get done first. It’s what helps you create a schedule for the week, plan the grocery list, and make sure you’ve got all the pieces in place for the upcoming family trip. When it’s working well, everything feels manageable instead of overwhelming!
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5. Emotional Regulation: The “Calm Coach”
There are times when you feel overwhelmed or frustrated—especially when things don’t go according to plan. Emotional regulation is like your brain’s calm coach who steps in and helps you manage your stress. Let’s say your child is melting down in the middle of the store, and you feel your patience running thin. Emotional regulation helps you take a deep breath, stay composed, and respond thoughtfully to the situation, instead of losing your cool.
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6. Decision Making: “Parent Advisor”
As a parent, you’re constantly making decisions, big and small. From deciding what’s for dinner to whether or not your child should stay home from school, decision-making is like having a really wise parent advisor in your head, helping you consider the best choice for your family. It’s about weighing your options—should you help your child with their homework now, or tackle that important work email first? The brain’s decision-making function helps you think about the bigger picture and choose wisely.
Why is it important to diagnose ADHD?
Individuals with ADHD often face negative stereotypes, such as being labeled “out of control,” “lazy,” or “uncaring.” These misconceptions overlook the unique ways their brains process information and manage tasks, and can contribute to feelings of frustration or misunderstanding.
Parents and teachers can often feel frustrated when children with ADHD struggle to complete assignments, manage their emotions, or stay on task. These challenges can sometimes lead to a negative cycle, where children face criticism and feel misunderstood. Over time, this can impact their self-esteem, harm relationships with adults and peers, and hinder their academic progress. Some children who receive constant negative feedback may develop anxiety or depression, while others may act out, adopting the mindset, “If I can’t meet your expectations, I might as well do things my own way.”
Russell Barkley, a leading expert in ADHD, compares providing the right supports for individuals with ADHD to offering a wheelchair-accessible ramp for those who use wheelchairs. Just as a ramp provides easier access, proper supports ensure an equitable learning environment and contribute to better long-term outcomes in areas like career success, personal relationships, mental health, and physical well-being.
Why is it important for a psychologist to test for ADHD?
Pediatricians, while invaluable in early identification of many mental health concerns, are simply not trained in the intricacies of mental health and behavior in the same way that a psychologist is. Psychologists use a range of tools - such as interviews, behavior rating scales and neuropsychological testing – that allow them to gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Pediatricians do not have the time to conduct extensive evaluations and may miss the nuances of ADHD that are better identified through behavioral assessments.
For example, a pediatrician might observe a child’s symptoms but might not be equipped to differentiate between ADHD and other potential issues like anxiety or learning disabilities, which can share similar symptoms. A psychologists can conduct a comprehensive evaluation, often including input from parents, teachers, and the child themselves, ensuring that the diagnosis is accurate and that any co-occurring conditions are also identified. There are different types of attention—such as sustained attention, shifting attention, divided attention, and selective attention—which means that not all attention-based strategies will work for everyone with ADHD. Each person’s brain functions uniquely, so a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t always effective. A psychologist can help by providing a strength-based profile, identifying an individualized approach that aligns with the person’s specific needs, and focusing on their unique brain wiring and personality to create strategies that work best for them.
Interested in learning more?
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