10/06/2025
This is a good read for anyone whoโs on the fence if their little one might have ADHD.
๐งก October is ADHD awareness month ๐งก
This month is a time to break the stigma that ADHD is only about hyperactive kids, and instead shine a light on the real, raw truths while learning how to truly support and uplift our kids.
Did you know that ADHD brains work differently when it comes to dopamine?
Hereโs how it might look like to people who donโt understand ADHD and how we can support these kids (or even some adults) in our lives
๐น Interrupting or blurting out answers
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฌ: โDisrespectfulโ or โnot listening.โ
๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ : Their brain is chasing the dopamine hit of excitement, novelty, or immediate reward.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ: Teach self-regulation strategies, offer outlets for ideas (like a notebook), and use positive reinforcement when they wait their turn.
๐น Constant movement (fidgeting, tapping, pacing)
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฌ: โDisruptiveโ or โcanโt sit still.โ
๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ : Movement gives the brain little bursts of dopamine, helping them focus and regulate.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ: Allow fidgets, flexible seating, or brain breaks. Movement doesnโt mean they arenโt paying attention, it often means they are.
๐น Risk-taking or pushing boundaries
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฌ: โDefiantโ or โreckless.โ
๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ : Novelty and risk release dopamine, making them feel more engaged.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ: Provide safe challenges, sports, games, creative projects, or problem solving tasks where they can channel that energy productively.
๐น Hyperfocus on interests
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฌ: โObsessedโ or โignoring everything else.โ
๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ : When something lights up their dopamine pathways, they can lock in with incredible focus.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ: Celebrate their passions, help them use timers/transitions, and connect less-preferred tasks to what excites them.
โจ The takeaway: What may look like โbad behaviorโ is often a brain seeking balance. When we understand the why, we can create strategies that support, not shame.
