Information for children, young people, parents and carers on ADHD | James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Information for six to 11-year-olds

The ADHD Hero Activity Book

We have a lovely activity book for young patients - this can be downloaded by clicking on the image below.

The activity book was developed by Dr Lauren Powell, Lecturer in Psychology and Education at the University of Sheffield, and Dr Jack Parker, a Senior Lecturer at The University of Derby, Dr Gemma Wheeler, a Design Researcher at Sheffield Hallam University and Project Manager at National Institute for Health and Care Research Children and Young People MedTech Co-operative (NIHR CYP MedTech) and Chris Redford, a Graphic Designer also at Sheffield Hallam University.

The activity book is aimed at children aged 7-11 years to help them understand and manage their ADHD more effectively, although parents of younger children may like to use some of the things within this as it includes drawing and colouring activities.

Videos - Let's talk about ADHD and T-Rex brain

Please see below for some videos explaining further information about ADHD.

The first is courtesy of the National Centre for Mental Health and is part of a Wellcome funded project led by Cardiff University it's called 'Let's Talk About ADHD'.

The second one sees ADHD specialist Dr Max Davie explains ADHD using a T-Rex and a Stormtrooper.

Let's talk about ADHD

T-Rex brain - a way of explaining ADHD

Information for those aged 11 plus

Information and support

Stop, breathe and think -https://www.stopbreathethink.org.uk/young-person/

Kooth - https://www.kooth.com/

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/

Young Minds - https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/

Living with ADHD -https://www.livingwithadhd.co.uk

Transition to adulthood

Around two-thirds of young people will continue to experience ADHD symptoms into adulthood (Price et al 2018).

The Newberry team will continue to see young people to review their ADHD medication until they are 18.

Your final appointment will be on or around your 18th birthday, but we should be talking about transitioning to adult care from around the age of 16.

In Norfolk there is an adult ADHD service that sees people from 18 years old onwards and they will continue to review your medication. More details about the Adult ADHD Service can be found on the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust website.

Young people who have been discharged from the Newberry Child Development Centre who are prescribed ADHD medication will be offered an appointment with the Adult ADHD team in the outreach clinic, which is held at Northgate Hospital. While awaiting your initial appointment you are advised to liaise with your GP if you have any medication queries.

We have developed a transition leaflet and pack which goes through transitioning in more detail and looks at FAQs (frequently asked questions).

ADHD medication review after 18

ADHD transition - Young people's guide

My ADHD transition passport

Post-18 services

Adult ADHD Transition Pathway poster

This Royal College of Psychiatrists web page has an explanation of what ADHD is, some nice self-help tips, and suggestions for books about ADHD.

Strategies to support ADHD in education, work and home

Practical tips for families with children with ADHD at home
Suggestions to support a young person with neurodevelopmental differences
Strategies which can support children and young people with ADHD both at home and in the classroom
Adjustments in Education (ADHD)
Teaching and Managing Students with ADHD
ADHD Revision Techniques
An employer’s guide to ADHD in the workplace

The Junction in Lowestoft

The Junction is a safe space in Lowestoft, providing free advice and guidance from welcoming youth workers.

Located at 119 Bevan Street East, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 2AG, The Junction is open Monday to Friday, midday to 5pm.

You can contact the team via 07442 338440 (available on WhatsApp) or email thejunction@accessct.org

Follow The Junction on Instagram @thejunctionlwt or Facebook /The Junction – Lowestoft.

The service is supported by the Denbury Charitable Foundation.

Living with ADHD

Matteo's story of living with ADHD

Information for parents and guardians

ADHD in children and young people - a guide for parents and carers

Parents and carers may find a booklet available here helpful.

'ADHD in children and young people - A simple guide for parents and carers' explains more about ADHD in an easy to understand way as well as highlighting some key points.

ADHD and exercise

We have all heard that exercise is important to help keep our bodies fit and healthy and to maintain a healthy weight. It also helps with heart health, helps to keep our bones strong, as well as helping with our mental health and self-esteem.

In addition to all these benefits, exercise and keeping fit is a key part of treatment for ADHD. Exercise can help reduce symptoms of ADHD by increasing the number of neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine. Dopamine is one of the brain chemicals that help with focus, concentration, and the ability to think more clearly.

For children and young people aged 5-18 the recommended amount of daily activity is 60 minutes a day of moderate exercise.

ADHD and food

Good nutrition and a healthy balanced diet is also important in ADHD.

We recommend eating a healthy balanced diet and we do not recommend eliminating foods. This should only be done under the care of a dietician.

Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day
Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates
Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat or other protein foods
Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks and yoghurts)
Choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat in small amounts
Eat small amounts of foods high in fat, salt and sugar and eat them less often.

Some people may find that certain foods increase their ADHD symptoms, but everyone is different and if this is the case it is worth keeping a diary to see if there is a clear link between certain foods and ADHD behaviour. Some people need a referral to a dietician and keeping a food diary can help with the referral.

Click here for more information about eating a healthy and balanced diet.

ADHD and drinks

Drink plenty of fluids – the government recommends 6 to 8 cups or glasses a day. Water, lower-fat milk, and lower-sugar or sugar-free drinks all count. Fruit juice and smoothies also count towards your fluid consumption, but they contain free sugars that can damage teeth, so limit these drinks to a combined total of 150ml a day.

Energy drinks contain high levels of sugar. They also contain high levels of caffeine - often twice the amount found in a strong cup of coffee. This can cause many health and wellbeing problems including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, anxiety, hyperactivity, and stomach aches.

Energy drinks do not provide any helpful vitamins and minerals so are best avoided by everyone – especially children and young people.

ADHD and sleep

Sleep is really important, especially for those with ADHD. Not getting enough sleep can mimic the symptoms of ADHD.

Further support is available here; https://www.nansa.org.uk/sleep-service/

Videos - Neurobiology and Sleep and screen use

Please see below for two videos providing further information.

Neurobiology animation

This animation from King's College London demonstrates the scientific basis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Sleep and screen use

Links to further support on ADHD

Just One Norfolk

More information on ADHD

ADHD and You

Information for young people and parents and carers

Family Action can offer additional support to parents-

https://www.family-action.org.uk/neurodevelopmental-support-services-west-suffolk-norfolk-waveney/norfolk-waveney-asd-adhd/

National ADHD charities/ support groups;

https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
https://aadduk.org/
http://www.adders.org/
http://www.addiss.co.uk

Mental health support

MAP – self-referral by accessing their website https://www.map.uk.net/
Supporting smiles (Formerly point 1) aged 0 – 25 year olds - self-refer by accessing their website.
Wellbeing NSFT aged 16 and over – self-referral via this website.
Norfolk MIND – self referral aged 14 and over: https://www.norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk/contact-us
Just One Norfolk - Norfolk & Waveney Children & Young People's Services