Supporting Someone with ADHD
Learn how to effectively help and support family members, friends, or colleagues who have ADHD.
Understanding Your Role
Supporting someone with ADHD requires patience, understanding, and practical strategies. Your support can make a significant difference in helping them manage symptoms and succeed in daily life.
Remember that ADHD is a neurological condition, not a choice or character flaw. The person isn't being lazy or difficult on purpose.
Supporting Family Members
For Parents of Children with ADHD
- • Create consistent daily routines and structure
- • Use positive reinforcement and clear expectations
- • Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps
- • Provide a quiet, organized study space
- • Work closely with teachers and school staff
- • Consider parent training programs
- • Take care of your own mental health
For Partners/Spouses
- • Learn about ADHD and its effects
- • Communicate openly about challenges
- • Help with organization and time management
- • Be patient with forgetfulness and distractibility
- • Celebrate successes and progress
- • Consider couples therapy if needed
- • Maintain your own interests and support system
Practical Support Strategies
Communication Tips
- • Give clear, specific instructions
- • Make eye contact when speaking
- • Ask them to repeat back important information
- • Be patient if they need things repeated
- • Focus on one topic at a time
- • Use written reminders when helpful
Organization Support
- • Help create organizational systems
- • Use calendars and reminder apps together
- • Establish designated places for important items
- • Help break large projects into steps
- • Assist with prioritizing tasks
- • Create visual schedules and checklists
Emotional Support
- • Acknowledge their efforts and progress
- • Be understanding about mistakes
- • Help them recognize their strengths
- • Encourage professional help when needed
- • Listen without judgment
- • Celebrate achievements, big and small
Environmental Modifications
- • Reduce distractions in work/study areas
- • Create quiet spaces for focus
- • Use noise-canceling headphones
- • Organize physical spaces clearly
- • Provide good lighting
- • Allow for movement and fidget tools
Supporting in Different Settings
At School
- • Communicate with teachers regularly
- • Advocate for appropriate accommodations
- • Help with homework organization
- • Attend IEP/504 plan meetings
- • Monitor academic progress
At Work
- • Understand workplace accommodations
- • Help with time management strategies
- • Support career development goals
- • Encourage open communication with supervisors
- • Assist with work-life balance
Socially
- • Help practice social skills
- • Support participation in activities
- • Encourage healthy friendships
- • Model appropriate social behavior
- • Address social challenges constructively
What NOT to Do
Avoid These Approaches:
- • Don't blame them for ADHD symptoms
- • Don't say "just focus" or "try harder"
- • Don't take their behavior personally
- • Don't ignore the need for professional help
- • Don't enable or do everything for them
Common Misconceptions:
- • ADHD is not a lack of willpower
- • It's not caused by poor parenting
- • Medication isn't always necessary
- • People don't "outgrow" ADHD
- • It affects more than just attention
Taking Care of Yourself
Supporting someone with ADHD can be challenging and emotionally demanding. It's important to take care of your own mental health and well-being.
Self-Care Strategies:
- • Set realistic expectations
- • Take regular breaks
- • Maintain your own interests
- • Seek support from others
- • Consider counseling if needed
Remember:
- • You can't "fix" someone's ADHD
- • Progress may be slow and non-linear
- • Your support makes a difference
- • It's okay to ask for help
- • Celebrate small victories