How ADHD Might Look at Home or at School
ADHD doesn’t always look the way people expect. It’s not always the child bouncing off the walls or getting into trouble.
Sometimes, it’s the daydreamer, the one who “forgets everything,” or the child who seems overwhelmed by even small transitions.
This page is here to gently guide you through some of the ways ADHD might show up — both at home and in the classroom — and help you notice patterns that could be worth exploring further.
At Home
You might notice things like:
🍂 Frequent forgetfulness – homework, toothbrush, jacket, again and again.
🍂 Easily overwhelmed by routines or transitions (e.g., leaving the house, bedtime).
🍂 Intense emotional reactions – meltdowns over small changes or frustrations.
🍂 Trouble staying on task – even things they enjoy, like crafts or games.
🍂 Constant movement or noise, even when it's time to wind down.
🍂 Difficulty playing independently – they may get bored quickly or interrupt often.
Some children seem to be “on fast-forward,” others appear distracted and dreamy. Both can be signs of ADHD.
At School
Teachers might share observations like:
🍂 Trouble focusing in class, especially during longer tasks.
🍂 Blurting out answers or difficulty waiting their turn.
🍂 Disorganized work – messy notebooks, missing assignments.
🍂 Fidgeting, tapping, or getting out of their seat frequently.
🍂 Struggling to follow multi-step instructions.
🍂 Zoning out or daydreaming, even in subjects they enjoy.
It’s worth noting that some children mask these behaviors at school and let them out at home — or vice versa. That’s why seeing the full picture matters.
What Does This Mean?
If you recognize some of these signs, it doesn’t necessarily mean your child has ADHD. But it could mean that their brain processes the world in a way that’s different — not wrong, just different. And when we begin to understand those differences, it becomes easier to respond with patience rather than frustration, with support instead of correction.
You don’t need to have all the answers right away. What matters most is curiosity, openness, and the willingness to notice what your child might be trying to tell you through their behavior. The earlier you start paying attention, the sooner you can begin building tools, routines, and environments that actually work for your child — and for you.
With the right support, many things that feel hard now can start to feel more manageable.