ADHD in Teens

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The teen years come with more schoolwork, changing relationships, greater independence, and increasing responsibility. ADHD may make these changes feel even more difficult, especially when a teen is expected to manage time, assignments, emotions, and routines with fewer reminders.

Having ADHD does not mean the teen is lazy, careless, or incapable, but that certain tasks may require more structure, practice, or support.

ADHD may make it more difficult for teens to begin homework or projects, remember deadlines, keep track of school materials, ignore other distractions, and/or maintain a consistent performance.

Teens with ADHD may find it helpful to:

• Keep assignments in one consistent place
• Use a calendar, planner, or written list
• Break projects into smaller deadlines
• Create a regular homework location
• Schedule harder work during times of greater energy

Instead of saying, "write the paper," focus on the first, second, and third steps of the overall assignment. Starting with a manageable action can reduce pressure associated with a larger task,

Executive functioning includes the skills used to plan, remember, organize, manage time, control impulses, and follow through. Teens can support these skills by moving information out of their heads and into visible systems. There is no single planning method that works for every teen. The goal is to identify tools that are simple enough to use consistently.

Some tools that may work for teens with ADHD include:

• Writing down instructions immediately
• Using a timer to begin an avoided task
• Break the afternoon or evening into time blocks
• Review what worked and adjust the system when needed

ADHD may make frustration, disappointment, excitement, or embarrassment feel intense. A teen may react quickly and regret the response or become overwhelmed and shut down.

Emotional regulation begins with recognizing the pattern of:

• What happened?
• What emotion appeared?
• What did the emotion feel like?
• What thought made the emotion stronger?
• What response would help rather than make the situation worse?

Helpful responses in times of stress may include taking a short break, slowing your breath, going for a walk, listening to music, writing, drawing, or speaking with a close friend or family member. Learning how to pause does not mean ignoring emotions, but creating the proper space to choose how to respond.

Impulsivity can sometimes lead to interrupting, blurting something out, missing another person's signals, or reacting too quickly during a disagreement. Many teens with ADHD have trouble listening through the end of another person's thought, asking questions instead of assuming, and taking space before continuing a conversation.

ADHD management gradaually becomes the teen's responsibility, but independence does not mean handling everything alone. Teens can continue to ask for help, rely on others and learn from their community. However, some steps for a teen to begin taking a more active role in the their ADHD management includes:

• Learning the name and purpose of their medication
• Keeping track of routines and appointments
• Speaking openly during appointments with providers

Austin Family Psychiatry offers teens with ADHD medication management, warm and professional in-person or virtual check-in appointments, and strategies to manage ADHD symptoms. Please contact us at 512-902-6920 in regards to any questions.