I Think My Child Has ADHD: Who Should I Talk To First?

When You're Worried but Not Sure What to Do

No one really prepares you for the moment when you start to wonder if your child might have ADHD. It's not always one big red flag—sometimes it's a hundred tiny moments that pile up: forgotten homework, the constant fidgeting, impossible mornings, tears during what should be simple tasks. It's exhausting, for them and for you.

But even more than the fatigue is that quiet worry in the back of your mind: What if this is more than just a phase? If you're reading this, you're already trying to understand. That's important. This is the beginning of real support—not just for your child, but for yourself.

Paying Attention to the Signs

ADHD can show up in incredibly different ways. Some children are the classic image of high-energy: bouncing around, blurting out thoughts, never quite sitting still. Others fly under the radar—daydreamers, forgetful, overwhelmed by instructions. If you’ve noticed a consistent pattern—behaviors that go beyond what feels 'typical' for their age—you may find this resource helpful: Recognizing the Signs of ADHD in Kids Aged 6 to 12.

But even then, doubt lingers. Maybe your child is just energetic. Maybe school is boring. Maybe you're overthinking things. Those are all valid questions. Sometimes the line between "active" and "struggling" is blurry. This article can help shed light on that question: How to Tell If Your Child Is Just Energetic or Has ADHD.

Your First Steps Toward Understanding

If your gut is telling you something isn't right, trust it. The path forward doesn’t have to start with a diagnosis—it can start with a conversation.

• Talk to your child’s teacher. They spend hours with your child and often see patterns we don’t at home. Ask if they’ve noticed trouble focusing, impulsivity, or emotional outbursts.
• Speak to your child's pediatrician. They are often the first professional to guide you through the evaluation process, and can refer you to a specialist if needed—like a child psychologist or developmental pediatrician.
• Do some gentle observation. Keep a simple journal for a couple of weeks. Note your child’s emotions, energy levels, school difficulties, and sleep. This can be invaluable when speaking to professionals.

What a Diagnosis Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)

It’s normal to feel a bit shaken by the idea of 'a diagnosis.' We all want our children to feel whole and accepted. But identifying ADHD isn’t a label—it's a tool. It opens the door to accommodations, better understanding, and a personalized way of engaging with learning. It’s the first step toward making things work better, not making your child feel "different."

For many families, learning about ADHD can clarify years of tension at homework time or school refusals. If you're already in the middle of that struggle, you might connect with what’s shared in How to Do Homework With a Child Who Has ADHD Without the Meltdowns.

Finding Everyday Support That Works

Even before a formal diagnosis, you can start trying different strategies. Children with ADHD often thrive with structure, visual reminders, repetition, and positive reinforcement. That doesn’t mean your life needs to become a rigid routine—it means making things a bit more predictable.

One parent I spoke with recently told me their 9-year-old just couldn’t keep up in class. Reviewing lessons at home became a daily battleground. So they tried something unexpected: instead of more reading, they began turning the lessons into audio adventures, using their child’s name as the main character. Suddenly, homework time became story time. (Apps like Skuli—available on iOS and Android—offer this kind of personalized audio learning, which can feel like magic for children who can’t sit still, but love stories.)

Build a Circle Around You

Support is more than just professional help—it’s also your community. Connect with other parents who are navigating the same journey. ADHD feels less isolating when you hear, “Us too.” Schools sometimes offer family support groups or can suggest therapists specialized in working with kids.

And support at home matters just as much. Here's a helpful guide on what simple things you can begin doing right away: My Child Has ADHD: What Can I Do at Home to Help?. Even tiny shifts—more positive phrasing, a quieter environment during homework, clear expectations—can nourish connection and reduce stress.

It’s Not Just About Getting Through

It’s about helping your child feel safe, capable, and seen. With the right tools and support, many children with ADHD go on to discover incredible strengths—creativity, perseverance, emotional intelligence. But they need us to see them clearly first, especially when the world is labeling them as too much, or not enough.

We can't always fix what they face in the classroom. But we can be the soft place they land. Their calm. Their cheerleader. Their translator when the world doesn’t seem to understand how they think. Start with one step. A conversation. A moment of patience. A story told differently. You’re already on the path.

And when it all still feels like too much, here’s one more place you might begin: How to Help a Child With ADHD Focus at School.