8 Things Parents Of Kids With ADHD Are Tired Of Hearing

ADHD is a very complex disorder that can be easily misunderstood, and parents of children with ADHD have to deal with misunderstandings frequently. Whether you are touched by ADHD or not, learn the facts at MoreToADHD.com.

1. "They're just super energetic!"

Being energetic is part of a normal developmental stage for preschoolers and young children. Yes, children with ADHD may be highly energetic, but an ADHD diagnosis is based on a child exhibiting six or more symptoms of the disorder after having been professionally evaluated and assessed for a length of time in all aspects of their life.

2. "Maybe you should try a different parenting style."

ADHD is a multifactorial disorder, influenced by genetic and environmental factors on the structure and function of the brain. The exact cause is unknown, but chemical imbalance, brain injury, family history, premature birth, and exposure to environmental factors (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age, could all increase the risk of a child developing ADHD. Parenting style is not on that list.

3. "Maybe the sugar in their diet is causing it."

Though it may exacerbate existing ADHD symptoms in some children, sugar consumption is not a cause of ADHD.

4. "They'll grow out of it."

ADHD does not just go away on its own as a child ages. In fact, more than 75% of children with ADHD continue to experience significant symptoms into adulthood, which is why having a comprehensive treatment plan is so important.

5. "They're just a little behind."

Children with ADHD develop two to three years more slowly than their peers, and a developmental delay is more than being just "a little behind." Developmental issues that go hand-in-hand with ADHD include substantial delays in cognition, learning and language skills, social and emotional skills, and fine and gross motor skills.

6. "At least they don't have something more serious going on."

Actually, around 75% of children and adolescents with ADHD have another psychiatric condition — and approximately 60% have multiple psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive compulsive disoder (OCD).

7. "They don't act like other kids I've seen with ADHD."

While ADHD has some recognizable signs and symptoms, they do not all look the same in every child.

8. "You must just be exhausted all the time!"

While well-intentioned, this comment may imply to parents that you think their child with ADHD is a burden. Better to just tell them how amazing of a parent they are!

Images via Getty.

Ensure you are fully informed about ADHD before speaking about it to parents or anyone else in your life. Get the facts at MoreToADHD.com.