ADHD Types: A Guide for Parents

Understanding the ADHD Types in Your Homeschooling Child

You’re the parent of an ADHD kiddo, but did you know there are ADHD types?

As a homeschooling mom to neurodivergent kids, I understand the unique challenges that come with teaching children who think and learn differently. I have ADHD myself as well, so while homeschooling I have to be aware and manage both my own neurodivergent tendencies and my kids’. It can be a bit of a juggling act some days (and other days it’s a straight up mess!). One thing that helped me was knowing my ADHD type. I have ADHD-Combined Type, which means I experience both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms. All the ADHD! This experience has given me a really valuable understanding of the various ADHD types though. In a previous blog, we discussed what ADHD is and how to recognize it in your child. Now, let’s look more into the three ADHD types: Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Predominantly Inattentive Type (formerly known as ADD), and Combined Type.

Types of ADHD

ADHD is diagnosed using standards laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). According to the DSM-5, ADHD is classified into three ADHD types based on the predominant symptoms: Hyperactive-Impulsive Type, Predominantly Inattentive Type, and Combined Type. Your child’s ADHD type can change over their lifespan in response to life events, circumstances, or age-related changes. Knowing the type can help you better understand your child’s needs and tailor your homeschool to best support them.?

Criteria for All ADHD Types

ADHD is a developmental disorder, meaning it is present throughout your life. Typically, to get diagnosed with ADHD, symptoms must have been present before the age of 12 and must have negatively impacted life for at least six months in at least two settings (e.g., home and school). This can be a bit challenging for homeschooled kids, because they don’t attend school! Remember that an official diagnosis may not be required for your needs. If you need to access services or funding to help kids with ADHD, you’ll need a diagnosis with their ADHD type, but if you’re just looking for how to support your child at home, it’s not a requirement. You should also know that it’s normal for ADHD to worsen during times of stress or even when things feel too stable. Your child’s ADHD type and degree it effects them may change as they grow, sometimes seeming better managed and other times seeming more impactful to their learning.

Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

Hyperactive-Impulsive Type is the ADHD type that generally fits the stereotype of a hyperactive kid bouncing off the walls. While less common in adulthood, it can still occur at any time in the lifespan. To receive this classification, you must meet six out of nine symptoms (or five out of nine if over age 17).

Criteria:

1. Often fidgety or squirmy: Your child may frequently tap their feet, move their limbs, wring their hands, or chew on objects.
2. Marked restlessness that is difficult to control: They might have a hard time sitting still and feel a constant urge to do something.
3. Hyperactive as if driven by a motor: Your child may seem to have endless energy, often running around or climbing on things inappropriately.
4. Lacking the ability to engage in activities quietly: They might fill silence with noise, hum, or talk to themselves loudly.
5. Incapable of staying seated: They may often get up during meals or while watching TV.?
6. Overly talkative: Your child may talk excessively, often without realizing it until others show signs of fatigue. Sometimes this leads to other kids getting annoyed with your ADHD kiddo.
7. Difficulty waiting their turn: Waiting in lines or for their turn can be physically painful and stressful for them.
8. Interrupts or intrudes into conversations and activities of others: They might frequently jump into conversations or take over activities.
9. Impulsively blurts out answers before questions are completed: Your child might answer questions quickly, often missing the full context.

Daily Symptoms:

Living with the hyperactive-impulsive ADHD type means your child probably has a LOT of energy. This may be a lot of nervous energy if they are in situations where they are trying really hard to mask their ADHD type symptoms, such as “behaving” under threat of punishment. This can be exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles, leading them to seek out dangerous or thrill-seeking activities. They might struggle with waiting their turn, which can impact relationships and create social anxiety. Understanding and managing these symptoms is crucial for their self-acceptance and social interactions.

Predominantly Inattentive Type

Predominantly Inattentive ADHD type is most commonly diagnosed in adults and females. Your child will receive this classification if they meet six out of nine symptoms (or five out of nine if over age 17).

Criteria:

1. Difficulty organizing tasks and activities: Your child may struggle to keep things in order, manage time, or complete tasks sequentially.
2. Displaying poor listening skills: They might zone out when spoken to or have trouble paying attention during conversations. This can also be dissociation.
3. Frequently loses and/or misplaces items needed to complete activities: This is part of your child’s ADHD type, they are not being careless. Your child may often lose instructions, school supplies, or personal items.
4. Sidetracked by external or unimportant stimuli: They can get easily distracted by irrelevant thoughts or events.We sometimes jokingly call this “squirrelling” in our family, as in “oh look, a squirrel!” in the middle of a sentence about something else entirely. (I think this is a reference to the Disney movie, Up!)
5. Forgetful in daily activities: They might forget to do chores, return texts, pay bills, or keep appointments. They need lots of reminders and in adulthood, this can look like having 87 phone alarms set per day (or at least, that’s how I am!)
6. Diminished attention span: Staying focused during lectures, conversations, or long tasks is extremely difficult. This can again lead to dissociation.
7. Lacking the ability to follow instructions or complete tasks: They may start tasks but struggle to follow through, often skipping steps. This can be due to poor listening skills, forgetfulness, or getting sidetracked.?
8. Avoiding activities requiring concentration: Your child might procrastinate or avoid tasks that demand sustained mental effort. The thought of tackling those tasks that require that level of focus can feel daunting and overwhelming.
9. Failure to focus on details and/or makes thoughtless mistakes: They may miss crucial details or steps in tasks, leading to mistakes. Rest assured they are not, in fact, “thoughtless”. They are not displaying any of these symptoms out of lack of care and respect for you. It’s a part of their condition.

Daily Symptoms:

Many with inattentive type ADHD go undiagnosed for years, often being labeled as lazy or careless. For your child, understanding their inattentive ADHD can rebuild self-esteem and explain their unique interactions with the world. The greatest struggles include organization, follow-through, and keeping track of important dates. With proper strategies and support, they can manage these symptoms effectively and you’ll greatly increase their self-esteem and self-management of their condition as they grow, setting them up for a more successful adulthood.

Combined Type

When a person meets the criteria for both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD types, they are diagnosed with combined type ADHD. It’s common for people with ADHD to have symptoms from both categories, though they may only meet the criteria for one type. I myself meet the criteria for both, which means I am extra special because I have extra strength ADHD, right?

Daily Symptoms:

Children with combined ADHD type experience elements from both hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive categories. This can lead to increased frustration and irritability due to restlessness and misunderstandings. They may juggle multiple projects but struggle to complete them. This approach to life can be refreshing yet challenging, often causing interpersonal conflict and self-esteem issues. However, with appropriate strategies and tools, they can find a path that leverages their strengths. For our kiddos with Combined ADHD type, we need to implement strategies to help them with both sides of the ADHD coin.

Practical Strategies for Parents Tailored to ADHD Types

As a homeschooling parent, you’re uniquely positioned to provide a truly supportive and understanding environment for your ADHD kid to thrive. Not only are you able to help them meet their current needs, but you’re helping them learn how to self-manage throughout their lives. Here are some strategies tailored to each of the ADHD types:

Strategies for Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

1. Encourage Physical Activity: Incorporate regular physical activity into your child’s daily routine to help manage their energy levels. Exercise also helps release dopamine into the brain, which helps an ADHD kid focus.
2. Provide a Structured Environment: Establish clear routines and rules to create a predictable and calming environment.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement: Reward positive behaviors to encourage self-control and reduce impulsivity.
4. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Help your child focus by breaking larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Learn more about task chunking and habit stacking to help them understand how these strategies work.
5. Teach Self-Regulation Skills: Use techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness to help your child learn to manage their impulses and hyperactivity as well as have emotional regulation skills..

Strategies for Predominantly Inattentive Type

1. Create a Quiet Workspace: Designate a quiet, distraction-free area for your child to complete their schoolwork.
2. Use Visual Schedules: Visual aids can help your child stay organized and remember their tasks.
3. Provide Clear Instructions: Give simple, step-by-step instructions to help your child understand and complete their assignments.
4. Set Time Limits: Use timers to help your child stay on task and manage their time effectively.
5. Encourage Regular Breaks: Allow for short, frequent breaks to help your child maintain focus and avoid mental fatigue.

Strategies for Combined Type

1. Balance Physical and Mental Activities: Incorporate a mix of physical and mental activities throughout the day to cater to both sets of symptoms.
2. Establish Consistent Routines: Consistent routines can help manage both hyperactive and inattentive behaviors.
3. Use Multisensory Learning Techniques: Engage multiple senses in learning activities to keep your child interested and focused.
4. Implement Behavioral Strategies: Combine techniques like positive reinforcement and clear expectations to manage a range of symptoms.
5. Foster Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your child to understand their challenges and adjust strategies as needed. Make sure they know that you are on their side, and that you support them.

Conclusion

Understanding the different ADHD types and how they manifest in your child is crucial for providing the best support and education. Whether your child has hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive, or combined type ADHD, knowing their specific challenges and strengths will help you tailor your homeschooling approach to their needs. If you need curriculum support that is specifically designed to help neurodivergent learners, Schoolio is the best place to be! Remember, your journey as a homeschooling parent to neurodivergent kids is unique and full of opportunities for learning and connection. Know that while the journey won’t always be easy, with compassion, patience, and a willingness to adapt, you can make a huge difference for your child and their future. Together, you and your child can navigate the world of ADHD with confidence and resilience.