ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes differences in brain function and activation, especially in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for attention, focus, and controlling impulses. Parents often ask, “What is ADHD and how does it affect daily life?” The answer lies in understanding the three main ADHD symptoms.
There are 3 key symptoms of ADHD:
Inattention
What is ADHD?
Difficulty sustaining attention, being easily distracted, forgetful, disorganized, or struggling to follow through on tasks. Imagine trying to watch a movie, but the channel keeps changing on its own. For a child with inattention, their brain pulls them in ten different directions—so finishing homework, listening in class, or remembering instructions feels like swimming against a current. It’s not that they don’t care; their brains struggle to filter out distractions and sustain attention. This is often the first sign families notice when seeking an ADHD diagnosis.
Hyperactivity
Excessive motor activity (fidgeting, tapping, moving constantly) or an inner restlessness that makes it hard to stay seated or calm. It’s like having a motor that never switches off. Children with hyperactivity may exhibit behaviors such as wiggling, climbing, talking nonstop, or seeming “always on the go.” Adults might feel like they can’t sit still or relax. That energy, when channelled, can also make them enthusiastic, adventurous, and full of life. Many parents looking for ADHD treatment for kids report hyperactivity as one of the most challenging but also liveliest traits.
Impulsivity
Acting quickly without thinking, blurting out answers, interrupting, or struggling to wait their turn. Imagine their brain’s “pause button” is a little harder to press. They may say what they think out loud, grab before asking, or take risks that surprise adults. It’s not defiance; it’s that their brain leaps before looking. That same impulsivity, though, can also manifest as boldness, creativity, and the courage to try new things. With the right strategies such as personalized brain training programs, impulsivity can be redirected into confidence and problem-solving.
ADHD Diagnosis
For ADHD to be diagnosed, symptoms must persist for at least 6 months, be inappropriate for the child’s developmental level, occur in 2 or more settings, and cause significant impairment in life function.
There can be different types:
1. Predominantly Inattentive:
This type shows up as distractibility, forgetfulness, losing things, and difficulty sustaining focus, without much hyperactivity. These are the daydreamers. Their mind drifts like a butterfly, landing on one flower and then another, making it hard to stick to one task. They may miss details, forget instructions, or appear “not listening.” But their wandering mind often sees connections others miss, bringing creativity, imagination, and big-picture thinking.
2.Hyperactive /Impulsive ADHD
Marked by constant movement, restlessness, blurting things out, acting without thinking, and difficulty waiting their turn. These are the spark plugs. Their energy is like a motor that rarely switches off. They’re lively, bold, and full of ideas. Yes, they may interrupt, fidget, or act before thinking, but they also bring passion, enthusiasm, and courage to try new things. Their presence can light up a room.
3. Combined ADHD
When a person shows significant symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. These are the juggling acts. They may forget their homework one moment, blurt out answers the next, and then run laps around the playground. Their brain is both racing and wandering, like trying to drive a car that’s pressing the gas and changing radio stations at the same time. But when guided and supported, their unique blend often makes them inventive problem-solvers with extraordinary drive.
ADHD doesn’t come from one single cause. It’s usually a blend of what a child inherits (genetics), how their brain functions (neurobiology), what they’ve been exposed to (environment), and the world they grow up in (psychosocial factors). Understanding this helps parents move away from blame and instead focus on support, strategies, and strengths.
1. Genetics
Science says: Around 70–80% of ADHD cases are linked to genes.
ADHD often “runs in the family.” If a parent, sibling, or even grandparent had traits like being forgetful, energetic, impulsive, or a daydreamer, there’s a good chance it shows up again in the next generation. It’s not about bad parenting or lack of discipline—it’s about the way the brain is wired, often inherited just like eye color or height.
2. Neurobiological Factors
What Causes ADHD?
ADHD is tied to differences in brain structure and function, especially reduced activation in areas that control focus, planning, and impulse control.
Think of the ADHD brain like a high-powered engine where the brakes and steering system sometimes lag. These differences don’t mean the brain is “broken.” Instead, it means it processes information differently - fast, creative, often outside the box thinking, also may come with struggles to filter distractions or pause before reacting.
3. Environmental Factors
Early stress, trauma, or exposure to toxins (like lead, poor air quality, or prenatal complications) can contribute.
Life experiences can shape how ADHD shows up. A child who faced early instability or high stress may find it even harder to regulate attention and emotions. Environmental toxins, like polluted air or harmful chemicals, can also add “noise” to the developing brain. This doesn’t cause ADHD in every case, but it can magnify challenges for a child whose brain is already wired differently.
4. Psychosocial Factors
Modern lifestyle shifts changes in diet, less physical activity, more screen time, multitasking, and reduced face-to-face connections, can worsen ADHD symptoms.
Today’s world makes focus harder for all of us. Kids are eating more processed foods, moving less, and spending more time on devices that constantly ping and distract. Add ADHD into the mix, and it’s like giving a restless brain an endless stream of new channels to flip through. The good news? Healthy routines, exercise, balanced meals, family connection, and screen limits can make a huge difference in calming and supporting an ADHD brain.
At The Brain Accelerator, we genuinely understand the emotional and practical challenges you face every day your child may find it hard to maintain focus and attention, manage impulses or emotions, or keep up academically and socially, all while their true intelligence and potential remain clear to you. The good news? Attention skills can be strengthened with the right kind of ADHD support.
The first step is to take our Cognitive Skills Assessment. This helps us identify weak attention skills and other cognitive skills that are tied closely to ADHD, like memory and processing abilities. By strengthening these skills, we can help learners with ADHD and ADHD-like symptoms manage their attention and focus, enabling their strengths to shine though.
Our approach to ADHD help is backed by multiple research studies, as well as 35+ years of research and refinement, training clients globally with hyperactive ADHD, inattentive ADHD (formerly known as ADD), and combined ADHD.
Past clients of the BrainRx programs, with ADHD, have seen across-the-board improvements in cognitive skills, including an average gain of 3.2 years in sustained attention skills. Our clients have also reported significant improvements in other areas, including relationships with friends and family, oppositional behavior, and self-esteem — all through the power of BrainRX brain training!
Book a Cognitive Skills Assessment now to help us get to the root cause of your child’s attention difficulties and to plan a bespoke intervention to help them thrive.
ADHD medication
At The Brain Accelerator, we treat ADHD symptoms non-medically by training and strengthening attention pathways in the brain. We work with many parents who prefer a bespoke, organic, non-medical route to improving attention, focus, self-regulation, and organizational skills.
ADHD Treatment at The Brain Accelerator
FAQ
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Yes. Our research indicates that 50% of individuals with ADHD who complete the program do not require medication afterwards. On average, individuals improve their sustained attention by 3.2 years. This makes BrainRx one of the most effective ADHD treatment options for families seeking non-medical solutions. Many parents report that our brain training programs provide lasting improvements in focus, memory, and overall learning performance, making it a powerful choice for ADHD treatment for kids.
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Common ADHD symptoms include difficulties with attention and focus, impulsivity, variable amounts of hyperactivity, and poor emotional regulation. These signs are often the first step toward an ADHD diagnosis. Understanding these challenges early allows families to explore the right support whether through medical care or holistic options like ADHD symptoms and treatment programs that strengthen cognitive skills naturally.