What problems can ADHD cause?

The impact of ADHD goes beyond ‘inappropriate behaviour’ and problems at school. ADHD is a developmental condition that presents difficulties for the student and those around them. A diagnosis of ADHD will often lead to students being labelled as ‘difficult, demanding and defiant’ and stigmatised to a greater or lesser extent. Students with ADHD stand out from their peers and can struggle to ‘fit in’ at all stages of development and the impact of the condition and diagnosis can extend to their families and carers.

Students with severe ADHD can:

• Have low self esteem
• Underachieve at school
• Develop emotional and social problems
• Be at risk of school exclusion

Are there any other problems?

ADHD affects students in different ways and can often overlap with other learning and/or behavioural conditions.

Students with ADHD often have other problems. Several other conditions can co-exist or overlap with ADHD:

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (the student is often defiant, oppositional, argumentative, angry, loses temper, etc.)
• Conduct Disorder (there are problems such as persistent and repetitive lying, stealing, truancy, bullying, vandalism, starting fires, etc.)
• Learning disorders
• Developmental Coordination Disorder (coordination difficulties)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s Syndrome (social and communication difficulties)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Tourette’s syndrome (the person has tics, involuntary and uncontrollable movements and sounds)
• Sleep problems