For parents and caregivers
A lot of ADHD can look like attitude from the outside: ignoring you, pushing back, not caring, or overreacting. Each card in this guide shows what a behavior can look like to adults next to what's usually going on for the teen, along with a few lines on how adults can help.
Your teen may save things to their plan and choose to share it with you. If they do, it took courage. Try leading with curiosity before correction: “Tell me more about what that's like for you.”
Explore by
This is your space. Save the things that sound like you and the skills you want to try, then come back and write down how it went. Nothing here is graded, and “didn't help” is useful information too.
When you're ready, you can save your plan as a PDF and send it to your family, your counselor, or your therapist. You decide who sees it.
Your plan saves only in this browser on this device. It isn't sent anywhere. If you share a device, anyone using this browser could see it. Clearing your browser history can erase it, so it's a good idea to save a backup file now and then.
Things I deal with
Tap “This sounds like me” on any card in Explore to add it here.
Skills I'm trying
Tap “Try this” next to any skill to add it. After you try it, mark how it went and write down why.
Share or back up
“Save as PDF” opens your print screen. Choose “Save as PDF” as the printer, then send the file however you like.
When it's more than a bad day
Everyone has hard days. Reach out to someone if any of these are true for you:
- You've felt hopeless, empty, or numb most days for two weeks or more.
- You're having thoughts of hurting yourself or of not wanting to be alive.
- You're pulling away from everyone, or using alcohol, vapes, or other drugs to cope.
- You can't stop replaying something and it's taking over your days.
Tell a trusted adult today, like a parent, school counselor, teacher, or coach. You can also call or text 988 to reach the 988 Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Both are free and open any time, day or night. If you're in danger right now, call 911.