ADHD Therapy
in Bedford, MA

Does My Child Have ADHD?

If you’ve found yourself wondering this – you’re in good company.

Most people already know that ADHD often shows up as a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that is more pronounced than what is typical for a child’s developmental stage. But many people with ADHD don’t fit the stereotype of the hyperactive 10-year-old boy who can’t sit still in class. For many kids, teens, young adults, and adults, their symptoms of ADHD go unnoticed or are attributed to character flaws. Issues like poor organization, big emotions, rejection sensitivity, and procrastination, for many, turn out to be symptoms of ADHD - symptoms that are treatable and manageable with the right knowledge and tools.

Have a question or would like to schedule a call? Reach out today.

Is Your Child’s Distractibility, Impulsivity, or Emotional Sensitivity Making Daily Life Feel Overwhelming?

Do you find yourself wondering why simple routines, like getting ready for school, finishing homework, or sitting through a family meal, seem so much harder for your child than for others their age? Or perhaps impulsive outbursts, emotional reactivity, or constant movement leave your home feeling loud, tense, or unpredictable.

Kids who act like this aren’t trying to be difficult. Their brains struggle with focus, organization, impulse control, and emotional regulation in ways that can impact nearly every part of daily life. Mornings may start with arguments over getting dressed or finding homework. Afternoons can be dominated by long, frustrating homework battles that leave everyone drained. Even enjoyable activities—sports, outings, or family time—can become stressful when impulsivity or strong emotions lead to conflicts or meltdowns.

When Daily Life Starts Feeling Hard for Everyone

These challenges affect the whole family. Siblings may feel interrupted or overshadowed, and parents often feel stretched thin by constant reminders, school communication, and the pressure to anticipate and manage big emotions or behaviors. Over time, the stress can build, leaving you feeling exhausted, guilty, or worried about your child’s future.

Most parents who reach out share one common concern: They want their child to feel successful, confident, and understood—but they’re not sure how to get there. The good news is that with education and support, kids and teens with ADHD can gain the knowledge and develop the skills they need to be happy and successful.

Feeling Alone? You Shouldn’t.

When your child or teen is struggling, it feels isolating, like you’re the only one facing challenges at home and at school. The truth is, these experiences are far more common than many realize. In the United States, it’s estimated that approximately 11.4% of children ages 3 to 17 have received a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In other words, about one in nine children are navigating similar attention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity challenges.

These struggles aren’t simply due to “bad behavior” or lack of effort - they’re rooted in neurodevelopmental patterns that affect children across communities and backgrounds. Modern life comes with frequent transitions, high expectations for independence, and digital distractions – all of which stress the brains of kids with and without ADHD.

What Sessions Typically Look Like When Supporting ADHD

Recognizing that your child’s difficulties are part of a broader pattern, and not a personal failing, can be the first step toward relief. A knowledgeable treatment team and developmentally attuned support can help children build strategies, structure, and confidence. Psychotherapy alone is usually not the answer – but therapy is an important complement to other services, such as evaluations, occupational therapy, executive function coaching, school accommodations, and sometimes medication prescribers.

In therapy sessions, kids and teens learn to identify the moments when symptoms of ADHD get in their way and practice strategies that help them pause before reacting, notice their feelings, and communicate more effectively. These skills are personalized tools your child or teen can use in everyday life.

Research shows that parent collaboration and engagement is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success for kids with ADHD. We provide education, coaching, and emotional support for caregivers who are managing big behaviors, big feelings, and daily stress. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in your child’s brain, respond with confidence instead of frustration, and cultivate your child’s self-compassion and self-confidence.

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Questions and Concerns

What if my child just needs more discipline?

Many parents worry that their child’s difficulties stem from some kind of parenting failure on their part. But ADHD-related challenges are rooted in how the brain manages attention, organization, and impulse control, not in willfulness, and not in lenient parenting. Doubling down with more discipline and consequences usually backfires, because your child can’t help being how they are. Kids want to do well, even if they don’t always admit it.

Why do we need to put a label on it? I’m afraid that a diagnosis will make my child feel labeled or different.

This is a common concern. We take a strengths-based approach to ADHD, helping kids understand their brains without shame or judgment. Most children feel relieved - not labeled - once they have an explanation for why certain things feel harder for them. This “label” is actually the key to developing self-compassion and learning strategies that work for their unique brains.

An Informed and Empowered Future for Your Child

If your child is struggling with focus, impulsivity, or emotional overwhelm, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Because our entire practice is centered on supporting young people, we know how to make sessions engaging, developmentally appropriate, and effective. With after-school availability and acceptance of most commercial insurance plans, getting support is more accessible and less stressful.

Taking the first step can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to. We offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions, share your concerns, and get a feel for what working together would be like - no pressure, no commitment.

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