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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Should you tell people about you or your child's ADD? or is it better to be kept private?

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    Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Children's Health
    Do you think you should tell people about you or your child's ADD? or is it better to be kept private?
    • 2 answers
    • CHI.L.D Association
    • Dr Tim Edwards-Hart
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  • CHI.L.D Association

    Serving the interests of children and young people with childhood language and related disorders View Profile

    You should educate yourself about ADD so that you have a strong understanding of the disorder. Your GP/paediatrician/psychiatrist will be able to support this learning. The decision to tell others is a difficult one. People may show more empathy and understanding if they are aware, but they may also have preconceived ideas of ‘ADD’ and how it affects a person's cognition and ability to meaningfully contribute to society. This is where educating yourself is the key. If you do decide to tell others, give them information and resources that they can access (such as websites) so that they understand what ADD is. Informing workplaces and schools may open up support options.

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  • Dr Tim Edwards-Hart

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    Dr Tim Edwards-Hart is a clinical psychologist working with adults, young adults and adolescents (age 15+). He has expertise assessing and managing ADHD, anxiety, and … View Profile

    The decision on whether to inform others about any diagnosis can be difficult, but in general I think it better to inform people about ADHD. This is especially the case with children where understanding the diagnosis can help others provide more supportive environments.

    Children and teens with ADHD can be disruptive, impulsive and forgetful. On the surface, it often seems to others that they just don't care about school or the effect they have on others. When teachers are informed about a child's ADHD, and given appropriate resources about it so they can better understand, it can change how they interpret a child's responses. Instead of assuming that the child doesn't care or, as one teacher said to me, “hasn't been taught proper manners” they can understand the struggles ADHD children have with controlling impulses and attention. This improves their relationship with the child and helps them to develop strategies that are more likely to support learning. The same applies in other settings: extended family, sport, community groups, music lessons, etc.

    Talk with your child's clinician about resources that you can give to your child's carers, or ask for a referral to someone who specialises in ADHD. You could also check out resources available online through organisations like CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) or CADDRA (the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance). 

    In summary, educating others about your child's diagnosis can have an enormously positive effect and reduce many of the long-term difficulties that are associated with ADHD.

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