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Understanding ADHD

Understanding ADHD

9. Key Impacts of ADHD on daily life: Children vs adults

The way ADHD symptoms impact on daily life can be very different for children and adults. Select the images below to find out more:

Childhood

In childhood this may include:

  • Difficulties concentrating at school or on homework which impacts on learning
  • Difficulty remembering things needed for school
  • Being disruptive in classroom or always daydreaming
  • Difficulty keeping friends which may be shown by not being invited to parties
  • Occasional “meltdowns”
  • Being easily bored
  • Difficulty taking part in group activities
  • Might have trouble sleeping or early waking

Processing speed

In adulthood this may include:

  • Difficulty keeping attention on daily tasks and finishing tasks
  • Frequent job changes or losses
  • Difficulty managing personal relationships
  • Unsafe driving
  • Difficulty managing money
  • Difficulty with organisation and time management
  • Often being late or forgeting appointments
  • Makes careless mistakes
  • Difficulty prioritising, deciding what jobs need doing first
  • Struggling to handle large workloads
 
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