ADHD 101 Teacher Card

Share this with your child’s teacher so you’re all on the same
page. By Chris A. Zeigler Dendy, M.S.

What Is ADHD? ADHD at Different Ages

• ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental Many children diagnosed with ADHD are gifted
disorder and intelligent, but may lag behind peers in
• 1 in 9 students is diagnosed with ADHD1 maturity by up to three years.3

Types of ADHD2 Ages 5–9

• ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive and Early Elementary
Impulsive: fidgets, blurts answers, acts out • Difficulty staying in seat
• ADHD Predominantly Inattentive: • Difficulty following directions
(loses papers, distracted easily, processes • Forgets to do homework
information more slowly
• Reading and writing tests take longer
• ADHD Combined Type:
a combination of hyperactive/impulsive and • Difficulty getting started on assignments
inattentive symptoms
Ages 10–13
Late Elementary-Middle School
Challenges for Students
• Executive function skills delayed
with ADHD
• Difficulty demonstrating knowledge
• Paying attention/controlling impulses on tests
• Time awareness/organization
• Difficulty with essays and reports
• Writing, spelling, note-taking, long-term
• Problems with organization/getting to
projects
class on time
• Social skills/controlling emotions
Ages 14–20
Strengths of Students High School-College
with ADHD • Trouble getting started/planning ahead
• Creative/innovative • Feeling overwhelmed
• Empathetic/caring • Unaware of grades/test scores
• Ability to focus on topics • Trouble working independently
interesting to the student
• Rote memory problems
•Energetic/assertive

CHRIS A. ZEIGLER DENDY, M.S., is

1 “ Trends in the Parent-Report of Health Care Provider-Diagnosed and Medicated ADHD: United States, 2003—2011.” an educator, school psychologist, and
(https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/features/key-findings-adhd72013.html) mental health professional with 40 years
of experience. She is the author of
2 Diagnostic criteria for ADHD from DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Teenagers with ADD & ADHD: A Guide for
Psychiatric Association; https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html) Parents and Teaching Teens with ADD,
3 https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2007/brain-matures-a-few-years-late-in-adhd-but-follows-normal-pattern.shtml ADHD, & Executive Function Deficits.

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