“My Child Was Just Diagnosed with ADHD—Now What?”
Finding out your child has ADHD can bring a mix of emotions—relief, worry, validation, and confusion. Whether you’ve suspected it for a while or the diagnosis came as a surprise, one thing is clear: you want to help your child thrive.
As a parent, it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at first. But with the right tools, support, and understanding, this diagnosis can be the beginning of a path filled with clarity, confidence, and connection.
TL;DR: What to Remember
ADHD affects executive function—skills related to focus, organization, regulation, and memory
You didn’t cause this; you’re not alone
Support can be empowering, not overwhelming
With the right tools and team, your child can succeed
Compassion, curiosity, and consistency go a long way
If you’ve just received an ADHD diagnosis for your child, know that this is not the end—it’s a new beginning. One filled with knowledge, connection, and the chance to better understand how your child thinks, feels, and shines.
💡 What Is ADHD, Really?
ADHD—Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder—isn’t just about being “hyper” or “distracted.” It’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s executive function skills, such as attention, impulse control, organization, emotional regulation, and task initiation.
Kids with ADHD are often incredibly creative, energetic, curious, and passionate—but they may struggle with things like remembering assignments, following multi-step directions, sitting still in class, or managing big emotions.
❤️ You Didn’t Do Anything Wrong
First, take a deep breath. An ADHD diagnosis is not a result of bad parenting. It’s not a character flaw. It’s not because they had too much sugar. It’s not a life sentence. It’s simply a name for the way your child’s brain processes the world—and now that you have that name, you can begin to truly support them.
👣 What to Do After the Diagnosis
Here are some steps to help you and your child move forward with clarity and confidence:
1. Learn About Executive Function Skills
Understanding how ADHD affects executive function is key. These are the mental skills we use to manage time, focus, switch tasks, remember things, and regulate emotions. You’ll start to notice how your child’s challenges—and strengths—are connected to these skills. The following books are some of my favorite, most recommended resources for parents:
"ADHD 2.0" by Dr. Edward Hallowell & Dr. John Ratey
A modern, science-backed look at ADHD strengths and challenges by two of the most respected ADHD experts.
"The Explosive Child" by Dr. Ross Greene
Helps parents manage inflexible and easily frustrated children using the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions approach.
"Smart but Scattered" by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
Offers practical strategies to build executive function skills like organization, time management, and emotional control.
"Taking Charge of ADHD" by Dr. Russell Barkley
Considered a gold standard; thorough, research-based, and full of actionable advice.
"What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew" by Dr. Sharon Saline
Based on real kids’ voices—validating, relatable, and practical.
2. Create a Support Team
You don’t have to do this alone. Build a team that may include:
Your child’s pediatrician or a developmental specialist
A therapist or counselor familiar with ADHD
Teachers and school staff
An ADHD or executive function coach
3. Connect with the School
Work with your child’s school to create a support plan. This might include a 504 Plan or IEP to ensure accommodations like extended time, movement breaks, copies of teacher notes, or organizational supports are in place. Curious about what supports could be beneficial to your child, read more about how an educational consultant can assist!
4. Adjust Expectations and Build Routines
You may need to rethink how things work at home, like homework routines, transitions, or screen time rules. Predictable, but adaptable—that’s the sweet spot. Click here more information on creating ADHD-Friendly Routines!
5. Talk Openly with Your Child
Your child deserves to know they are not broken or bad. Talk about ADHD in age-appropriate ways. Focus on strengths, name their challenges without shame, and remind them (often) that they are capable, loved, and not alone.
The following books might be appropriate to share with your child to help them learn and understand their neurodiverse brain:
“My Brain Is a Racecar” by Nell Harris
A simple, relatable metaphor that compares a fast ADHD brain to a racecar, helping kids understand how to steer their focus and energy.“ADHD Is Our Superpower” by Soli Lazarus
Empowering and positive, this book encourages kids to embrace their differences and see the strengths in ADHD.“A Dragon With ADHD” by Steve Herman
(From My Dragon Books series)
A sweet story about a dragon who learns how to focus, stay organized, and believe in himself despite his challenges.“Cory Stories: A Kid’s Book About Living With ADHD” by Jeanne Kraus
Follows a boy named Cory through his everyday experiences with ADHD—perfect for starting conversations with young readers.“What Were You Thinking? Learning to Control Your Impulses” by Bryan Smith
A part of the Executive Function series, this book uses real-life situations to help kids learn to pause and think before acting.“Mrs. Gorski, I Think I Have the Wiggle Fidgets” by Barbara Esham
A fun, classroom-based story about self-awareness and coping strategies for kids who have trouble sitting still and focusing.
🌱 What Support Can Look Like
Support might come in many forms—medication, therapy, coaching, mindfulness tools, movement breaks, timers, planners, or new communication strategies. Every child is different. What works for one may not work for another. The key is staying curious, patient, and open to trying things out.
🧠 Brave Connections: How We Can Help
At Brave Connections Coaching & Advocacy, we specialize in supporting children, teens, and families navigating ADHD and executive function challenges. From skill-building sessions to parent coaching to summer camps, we create safe, supportive spaces where kids (and parents!) learn how to thrive—not just survive.
👉 Want support navigating what comes next? Reach out to us at Brave Connections. We're here to walk this journey with you.