Should I Tell the School About My Child’s ADHD Diagnosis?

Why this question keeps parents up at night

If you’re reading this, it probably means a lot has happened recently. Maybe after months—or years—of wondering, your child has finally been diagnosed with ADHD. And now a question is bouncing around in your mind: Should I tell the school? It’s a big decision, and it comes with loads of emotion—fear, hope, uncertainty, maybe even guilt. You’re not alone. Many parents of children aged 6 to 12 face the same dilemma.

The fear of labeling… and of being misunderstood

One mom I spoke with recently, Sophie, told me she and her son spent two months celebrating his diagnosis. Suddenly, things made sense: his trouble finishing tasks, the tornado of energy at bedtime, the tears during math homework. But when she thought about sharing the diagnosis with his school, she froze. "What if they treat him differently? What if they expect less from him now?" she wondered.

It’s a valid fear. We all want our children to be seen as more than a label. But when kept in the dark, teachers may misinterpret symptoms as defiance, laziness, or distraction. What’s seen as "daydreaming" may actually be a child trying their hardest to pay attention—and exhausting themselves in the process.

The benefits of sharing—when you’re ready

Let’s be honest. School can be overwhelming for a child with ADHD. Sitting still for hours. Switching between tasks. Remembering instructions. Navigating friendships. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Informing the school about your child’s diagnosis doesn’t mean you’re asking for special treatment. It means you’re giving educators the context and tools they need to support your child better. This might lead to:

• Access to special accommodations, like more time on tests or a quiet reading corner
• The possibility of a customized support plan (like an IEP or 504 Plan)
• Teachers observing patterns they wouldn’t have recognized before

When schools and families work together, kids flourish. You can read more about ways to support your child’s learning in our piece on where to start when your child has ADHD and attention issues.

How and when to talk to the school

So how do you have that conversation? First, wait until you feel emotionally ready. Don’t rush it. Then, begin with someone you trust—perhaps your child’s homeroom teacher or the school psychologist. Bring documentation, but also your own observations. You know your child better than any report.

Frame the conversation not around what’s “wrong” with your child, but around how they learn best. For example, "He needs to move around a lot—would it be possible for him to have some flexible seating options?" or "She really connects with stories and sound—maybe recorded lessons could help?"

In fact, this is where tools can help extend learning beyond the classroom. One mom shared how using the Skuli App to turn her son’s lessons into audio adventures (with his name woven into the story!) made review sessions something he actually looked forward to on their morning drive to school. For auditory learners or kids who struggle to reread written materials, this kind of support can bridge the gap between frustration and confidence.

What if the school isn’t supportive?

Unfortunately, not every setting responds with understanding right away. Some schools may not be informed about ADHD, or they may be stretched too thin. If that’s the case, don’t give up. Start small—propose a few experiments and track their effectiveness. Invite collaboration rather than confrontation.

It may help to direct teachers to resources or to gently share strategies that work at home. For example, frequent check-ins or breaking assignments into smaller chunks. You can also look into our guide on helping a child with ADHD prepare and manage school tasks like presentations, which may help bridge some practical gaps both at home and in class.

You’re not alone—many have walked this path

One dad I know, Thomas, delayed telling the school about his son’s ADHD diagnosis for over a year. But once he did, they were able to enroll him in small-group reading sessions, which completely transformed his motivation. They also began using home strategies we outline in this article on reading strategies that really work for children with ADHD.

The shift wasn’t instant—but it was meaningful. His son got better feedback, developed new friendships, and started finishing tasks without fighting his dad at every turn. They even created a reward system inspired by these creative, ADHD-friendly reward ideas.

To share or not to share? A gentle reflection

In the end, deciding whether to tell the school about your child’s ADHD is personal. But remember: diagnosis is not a deficiency. It’s a flashlight. A tool to see more clearly, to work together, and to help your child not just survive school—but belong, succeed, and feel understood.

Your silence might feel like protection. But sharing—carefully, strategically, and compassionately—can be a form of empowerment. You’re not alone in this journey. And your child deserves a village that truly sees them.

And if you’re looking to make learning itself less of a battlefield, especially during stressful school weeks, support tools like audio-based learning or personalized quiz games—such as the ones offered in the Skuli App—can go a long way in making school feel less like an uphill climb and more like an adventure.

For more support on the emotional side of things, check out our guide on how ADHD impacts friendships, and how you can help. Because learning isn’t just academic—it’s social, emotional, and deeply human too.