My 8yo knows she's 'different' from her classmates. She asked me why she can't sit still like the other kids. I want to explain ADHD to her but I'm terrified of making her feel defective or like something's wrong with her. How did you talk to your kids about their diagnosis?
3 replies
Dave T
10 March 2026
We used the 'different brain, not broken brain' approach. I told my boys: 'Your brain is like a Ferrari engine — incredibly powerful, but sometimes hard to steer. Other kids might have Corolla brains — easier to control but less powerful.' They LOVED that. It's about framing the strengths alongside the challenges.
Lisa W
10 March 2026
There are some great kids' books about ADHD. 'My Brain is a Race Car' is wonderful for younger kids. Also — tell her about famous people with ADHD. When my daughter learned that Simone Biles has ADHD, her whole face changed. Representation matters.
Michelle K
10 March 2026
Focus on what ADHD MEANS for her, not just what it IS. 'Your brain is really good at being creative and thinking of new ideas, and sometimes that means it's hard to focus on boring stuff. We're going to learn tools to help with the hard parts while keeping all the awesome parts.' Make it practical and empowering.
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