ADHD is a NEURODEVELOPMENTAL disability. That means your child’s neurological development is delayed. What does that mean?
Research shows that kids with ADHD are, on average, 30% behind in their brain development in areas that affect executive functioning (self-control, time management, organization, planning, problem solving, emotional self-control, short-term memory, self-awareness etc.).
That means your 12 year old’s executive function development is closer to that of a typical 8 year old. Your 18 year old? More like 12.
Knowing this can help us manage our expectations for our kiddos. They are doing the best they can and they need our help.