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For parents and carers

ADHD can look different in every child.

This page shows four ways it can show up, each told as a day in a child’s life. They may help you put what you see into words, ready for a conversation with your child’s school or your GP.

See the four profiles

The four profiles

Four profiles, to help you find the words.

Although a profile may sound like your child, that by itself is not a diagnosis. Only an assessment with a specialist can tell you whether a child has ADHD. What a profile can do is help you describe what you see, so it is easier to talk to your child’s school or your GP. You do not need a diagnosis to start that conversation.

The NHS describes two types of ADHD signs. The first three profiles follow them: one type, the other type, or both. The fourth is for a child who may be autistic as well.

The NHS says

Many children are easily distracted, impulsive and have high energy levels, particularly if they’re under the age of 5. This does not mean they have ADHD. It could be a sign of something else, like being tired, anxious or stressed.

Information from the NHS website (opens in a new tab), as at 11/10/26. Page: ADHD in children and young people.

Choose a profile to read it.

The four children are made up. Everything they do matches signs described by the NHS and by national charities, quoted and credited beside them.

A hand writing in a notebook with a pencil

Profile 1 of 4

Mostly inattentive

A quiet child whose mind drifts can be easy to miss, because nothing goes wrong loudly.

A day with Maya

Maya is ten and in Year 6, and she is never in trouble. When her mum asks her to brush her teeth, put her socks on and find her reading book, she hears the first thing and loses the rest, so ten minutes later she is sitting on the stairs with one sock on.

In class she looks straight at the teacher while her mind is somewhere else, then copies the girl next to her to work out what to do. Her water bottle, her PE kit and last week’s letter all go missing, and homework that should take twenty minutes is only half done an hour later.

Her school report says she daydreams and needs to concentrate, but nobody has picked up that she might have ADHD.

Maya is a made-up child. Everything in her day matches signs that the NHS and national charities describe.

The signs behind her day

The NHS says

A child or young person may show signs of being inattentive, such as:

  • being easily distracted
  • finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions
  • forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks

Information from the NHS website (opens in a new tab), as at 11/10/26. Page: ADHD in children and young people.

Back to the four profiles

Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab). Each box marked "The NHS says" is copied from the NHS website word for word, on the date shown. Every other quote is copied word for word from the page named under it, as it stood on 11 October 2026, and belongs to the organisation or person named. None of them, and not the NHS, has endorsed Robur.Connect.

What parents ask first.

Does it cost families anything?
No.The programme is designed to cost families nothing, at any stage. It is built to be paid for by grants from funders who want children supported earlier.
Would a child lose their NHS place?
No.Nothing in the programme removes a child from an NHS waiting list. That choice stays with the family.
Is a diagnosis needed first?
No.The programme starts before any diagnosis. And you do not need one to speak to your child's school.

Where to get help.

Who to talk to first.

The NHS says

If you’re worried that ADHD may be affecting your child, talk to one of their teachers. An older child or teenager may choose to speak to a teacher themselves.

The teacher will usually make a referral to the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).

The SENCO can discuss support in the classroom or with homework, or help with building confidence and friendships.

If you're still worried or you think your child needs additional support, you may want to make an appointment with a GP.

Information from the NHS website (opens in a new tab), as at 11/10/26. Page: ADHD in children and young people.

Ask your GP about Right to Choose.

The NHS says

You may be able to find a clinic with shorter waiting lists through your GP using the Right to Choose scheme.

You can ask for an NHS appointment at any clinic, including a private clinic, if it provides ADHD services for the NHS in England.

Information from the NHS website (opens in a new tab), as at 11/10/26. Page: ADHD in children and young people.

The NHS body that plans services for West and North London says self-referrals are not accepted for Right to Choose, so you ask through your GP. It also says some providers may already have reached their limit for 2026/27 and have a waiting list. We do not recommend any clinic.

Two children with backpacks walking along a pavement, seen from behind

Your next step

Talk to your child’s school.

Tell your child’s teacher what you see at home, and ask what they see in class. The profiles above can help you find the words. You do not need a diagnosis to start that conversation.

Schools can contact us directly.

Next: For schools
Check all sourcesEvery figure and claim on this page, with a link to where it comes from.Sources

North London

  • ADHD and autism (opens in a new tab)

    NHS West and North London Integrated Care Board. No date on the page. Read 11 October 2026.

    “There is currently very high demand for ADHD and autism assessments both nationally and locally”, extremely high demand for services, “very long waitlists”, and many patients put on a waiting list before an appointment can be offered. Right to Choose “applies to initial assessments only, and self-referrals are not accepted”. Some providers may have reached their limit for 2026/27.

National sources that cover North London

  • ADHD in children and young people (opens in a new tab)

    NHS website. Page last reviewed 19 March 2025, next review due 19 March 2028. Read 11 October 2026.

    Right to Choose, the possibility of waiting “several months or years”, talking therapies such as CBT, and the signs and advice quoted on For parents.

  • What is autism? (opens in a new tab)

    NHS website. Page last reviewed 6 May 2026, next review due 6 May 2029. Read 11 October 2026.

    ADHD is “also more common in autistic people”.

UK charities, quoted word for word

Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab). The NHS has not endorsed Robur.Connect.