Disability Resources > ADD/ADHD
Understanding ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects how a person pays attention, regulates impulses, and manages activity levels. It affects between 5-8 percent of school-aged children, and between 2-4 percent of adults.
ADHD impacts the brain’s executive functioning skills, which help with planning, focus, organization, emotional regulation, and follow-through. ADHD can look different from one child to another and may change over time as children grow.
ADHD affects how the brain processes information and manages:
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Attention
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Impulses
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Organization
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Emotional regulation
ADHD is not a character flaw or a failure. Understanding this helps families shift from blame and frustration to support and problem-solving.
ADD or ADHD? What's the Difference?
You may hear both ADD and ADHD used when talking about attention challenges. Today, ADHD is the official and accurate term. Science recognizes three subtypes of ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined). A diagnosis of one type or another depends on the specific symptoms (i.e. the “diagnostic criteria”) that person has.
- ADHD – Predominantly Inattentive
Often what people previously called “ADD.” Children may struggle with focus, organization, and follow-through, but may not appear hyperactive. - ADHD – Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
Involves high activity levels, impulsivity, and difficulty sitting still. - ADHD – Combined
(Includes both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive traits.)
This information is from the National Resource Center on ADHD, a Program of CHADD.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
ADHD affects executive functioning skills, which help with focus, planning, organization, emotional regulation, and follow-through. Symptoms often vary by age, environment, and individual strengths.
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Difficulty paying attention or staying focused
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Trouble following directions or completing tasks
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Forgetfulness or losing things frequently
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Impulsive behavior or acting without thinking
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High levels of movement, restlessness, or fidgeting
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Challenges with emotional regulation or frustration tolerance
If you have concerns about ADHD, a healthcare provider can help you talk through what you’re seeing and decide whether an evaluation may be helpful. This conversation can be a starting point for understanding your child’s needs and exploring next steps, not a commitment to any specific path or treatment.
Not every child with ADHD will show all of these signs. Many children with ADHD also have strengths such as creativity, curiosity, energy, and problem-solving abilities.
There Is No Single Test for ADHD
ADHD is not diagnosed with one test or checklist. Instead, it’s identified by looking at patterns of behavior over time and across settings like home and school. This approach helps ensure the focus stays on understanding the whole child, not just isolated behaviors.
Support for Children with ADHD — and How the Utah Parent Center Can Help
Children and youth with ADHD thrive when they are supported in ways that match how they learn, process information, and regulate emotions. Support works best when it focuses on building skills, reducing barriers, and strengthening confidence—at school, at home, and in the community.
The Utah Parent Center (UPC) provides free information, training, and peer support to families of children and youth with ADHD. Our staff includes parents with lived experience who understand both the challenges and the strengths that come with ADHD.
We can help you:
- Understand your child’s educational rights
- Navigate evaluations, accommodations, and school services
- Prepare for and participate in school meetings
- Build confidence in advocating for your child
- Connect with resources and supports across Utah
You don’t have to navigate ADHD alone. Support, clarity, and partnership are available.
Get in Touch with the Utah Parent Center
If you have questions, need guidance, or just want to talk through what’s going on with your child, the Utah Parent Center is here to help. Our services are free, confidential, and focused on supporting families.
ADHD Resources
ADDitude
An online ADHD support magazine that gives insight into the minds of individuals with ADHD. The following Executive Functioning downloads are useful resources from ADDitude. Visit their website for additional information and resources.
- Executive-Function-Worksheet
- Learning-At-Home-with-ADDitude
- Executive-Function-Activities-for-3-to-5-year-olds
- Executive-Function-Activities-for-5-to-7-year-olds
- Executive-Function-Activities-for-7-to-12-year-olds
- Executive-Functioning-Activities-for-Adolescents
- 30-Great-Accommodations
- Easy-Mindfulness-Exercises-for-Kids-with-ADHD
- Explaining-ADHD-to-Teachers
- The-Ultimate-ADHD-Toolkit-1
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
ADDA is the world’s largest organization for adults with AD/HD. Their new website has been built to meet the needs of our membership and our visitors. It reflects ADDA’s mission to provide information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD and to the professionals who work with them.
CHADD
Specifically, CHADD works to improve the lives of people affected by ADHD through: Collaborative Leadership, Advocacy, Research, Education, and Support. Visit their website to get fact sheets, resources, information on research and more.
CHADD of Utah
CHADD is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to being your source for ADHD issues such as: school, teachers, children, adults, women, girls, work, accommodations, diagnosis, resources, family, marriage, and couples. Visit their website to obtain a list of your local “branch schedules”, community resources, frequently asked questions, suggested reading, as well as lots of various other resources.
Center for Parent Information and Resources – ADHD
The Center for Parent Information and Resources has many resources for parents of children with ADHD. Access information on the ADA, ADHD in the classroom, behavior strategies in the home, and more.
Center for Parent Information and Resources – ADHD
The Center for Parent Information and Resources has many resources for parents of children with ADHD. Access information on the ADA, ADHD in the classroom, behavior strategies in the home, and more.
Understood.org
Understood.org gives personalized recommendations and resources for individuals with ADHD. They offer resources and informative videos on a wide range of topics, and host an online chat so you can connect with parents, professionals, and individuals around the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child might have ADHD?
Every child can be active or forgetful sometimes, but children with ADHD show these behaviors more often and in more than one place—like home and school. You may notice your child has trouble sitting still, paying attention, finishing homework, or remembering directions.
If these challenges happen most days and make school or family life hard, it’s a good idea to talk to your child’s doctor or teacher. They can help you decide what steps to take next.
Who can diagnose ADHD?
A doctor, psychologist, or other trained professional can diagnose ADHD. They use forms, checklists, and interviews to learn about your child’s behavior at home and school.
Teachers and parents share what they see every day, and the doctor looks at how long the behaviors have been happening. A full evaluation helps make sure there isn’t another cause for the behavior, like hearing or learning problems.
How is ADHD treated?
There isn’t one single treatment that works for everyone. Many children do best with a mix of support. This can include learning new skills, setting routines, working with teachers, and sometimes using medicine.
Parents can also learn strategies to help their child stay organized, calm, and focused. Exercise, good sleep, and healthy eating can also make a big difference. The goal is to help your child feel confident and able to do their best.
Can my child get help at school for ADHD?
Yes. Students with ADHD can get extra help through a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). These plans give them tools and changes that make learning easier—like extra time on tests, shorter assignments, or movement breaks.
You can reach out and ask us about starting this process and any questions you may have. We can also help you understand your rights and how to ask for support.
How does Utah Parent Center help families with ADHD?
The Utah Parent Center offers free information, training, and one-on-one help for families. Our staff are parents too, and they understand what it’s like to raise a child with ADHD.
We can connect you with resources, teach you how to work with your school, and help you find local support groups or services. You don’t have to figure this out alone, we’re here to help every step of the way.