Common symptoms:

Inattention: difficulty remembering to complete tasks, staying on task, following directions, planning, coordination, misplacing items, making small errors (ex. spelling, punctuation, addition vs. subtraction), forgetfulness, and struggling with fine/gross motor skills (ex. handwriting, catching a Frisbee)
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: fidgeting, benefitting from constant movement, unable to control impulses (ex. taking turns, interrupting, or touching a hot stove/petting random dogs/anything that looks fun)
Sensory Regulation: may be sensitive to sounds, lights, smells, sensations and tastes. Sensory discomfort can result in behaviors that have no obvious cause
Emotional Regulation: individuals with untreated ADHD can seem to go from “0-100” in no time, because they often lack the ability to recognize when their emotions are becoming overwhelming. Essentially, it’s all okay until it’s not
Developmental Considerations: difficulty accurately interpreting social cues, seeming “young for [his/her/their] age,” reduced self-esteem resulting from others lacking understanding for their behaviors

Considerations:

Having ADHD, and being around an individual who has difficulty with executive functioning can be tiring. Compassion is key to maintaining energy for both caretaker and child/adolescent. It’s okay to get frustrated
Many cultures demonstrate a tendency to shame externalizing behaviors (ex. interrupting, touching germy things, etc.). Individuals who have ADHD typically lack the abilities to control their impulses in a manner that is culturally accepted. As a result, kids with ADHD-Hyperactive type often “get in trouble” or are labeled variations of “a problem kid.” This can contribute to reduced self-esteem

Diagnosis: as ADHD can look like many other health conditions (ex. Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Autism), a psychological assessment involving cognitive, and psychological testing may be recommended when alternative diagnoses are considered. While ADHD can be diagnosed using behavioral checklists, ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder and diagnostic testing helps to differentiate the particular aspects of the diagnosis that are most relevant to treatment planning.
Interdisciplinary Care: it can be helpful to collaborate with your child/adolescent’s school, pediatrician, and relevant caregivers to better understand their strengths/needs in these environments as well as to provide relevant recommendations when helpful
Referrals: common referrals include pediatrics, tutoring, psychiatry, audiology, ophthalmology, occupational and physical therapy, speech and language, and an array of relevant strengths based extracurricular activities
Psychotherapy: treatment typically involves a combination of information regarding the diagnosis, and interventions aimed at improving executive functioning, self-advocacy skills, family functioning, sensory regulation and self-esteem. Parents and relevant family members will typically be involved in treatment in some way. There are always exceptions to these recommendations, depending on the needs of the child, adolescent and family.