{"h1":"What is ADHD?","faq":[{"a":"No. ADHD is a difference in how the brain regulates attention and activity, with strong biological roots. Parenting style and screens do not cause it, though structure and routines can help a child manage it well.","q":"Is ADHD caused by poor parenting or too much screen time?"},{"a":"High activity and short attention are normal in toddlers, so ADHD becomes clinically meaningful from around school age, when its impact across home and school can be judged. If you have concerns earlier, a general developmental check is the right first step.","q":"At what age can ADHD be assessed?"},{"a":"Not at all. ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence. Many children with ADHD are bright, creative and capable — they simply need support with focus and self-regulation to show what they can do.","q":"Does ADHD mean my child is not intelligent?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-adhd","title":"What is ADHD?","entity":{"key":"adhd","kind":"condition","name":"ADHD","slug":"adhd"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Cognitive","value":"cognitive"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Behaviour-Therapy","value":"behaviour-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"},{"kind":"condition","label":"ADHD","value":"adhd"},{"kind":"icd11","label":"6A05 · Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder","value":"6A05"},{"kind":"language","label":"English","value":"en"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities","value":"10"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","value":"3"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"ASHA / PHC / Frontline","value":"asha_phc"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor / Pediatrician","value":"doctor"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-adhd-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How does ADHD affect a child's daily life?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-common-is-adhd-in-children","title":"How common is ADHD in children?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-adhd-diagnosed-in-a-child","title":"How is ADHD diagnosed in a child?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-adhd","title":"What are the types or levels of ADHD?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-conditions-can-adhd-be-mistaken-for","title":"What conditions can ADHD be mistaken for?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-adhd-considered-a-disability","title":"Is ADHD considered a disability?"}],"summary":"ADHD (ICD-11 6A05) is a common, recognised difference in how a child's brain manages attention, activity and impulse control — not bad behaviour or low intelligence. It appears as inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive or combined patterns across settings. Diagnosis is made only by qualified clinicians, and children thrive with the right support.","answer_md":"*Many parents notice their child seems to run on a different rhythm — more movement, more distraction, more energy — and wonder if there's a name for it.*\n\n## In short\nADHD — attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — is a common, well-recognised pattern in how a child's brain manages **attention, activity and impulse control**. Children with ADHD may find it harder to stay focused, sit still, or pause before acting, in ways that are stronger and more persistent than usual for their age. It is not bad behaviour, poor parenting, or low intelligence — it is a difference in how the brain regulates attention and energy, and it is very supportable.\n\n## Understanding it simply\nDoctors group ADHD (classified by the WHO as **ICD-11 6A05**) into three patterns: mainly inattentive (drifting, forgetful, easily distracted), mainly hyperactive-impulsive (always on the go, interrupting, restless), or a combination of both. To be considered ADHD, these traits need to show up **across settings** — home and school — and genuinely affect daily life, not just appear on a tiring day. Many children with ADHD are bright, creative and energetic; with the right understanding and [behaviour support](/behaviour-therapy), they thrive at home and in the classroom.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nA clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed **only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care** — never from an online form or checklist. From there, your family gets a clear baseline and a plan you can follow. Learn more about [ADHD support](/adhd).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 (6A05); CDC Learn the Signs, Act Early; American Academy of Pediatrics; Indian Academy of Pediatrics; NICE guideline NG87 on ADHD diagnosis and management.\n\n**Next step —** Curious where your child stands? [Book a developmental check with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/enroll-autism-speech-aba-therapies-india).\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-adhd","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-adhd","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-adhd-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"What is ADHD? A Simple Guide for Parents","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Short, clear instructions one step at a time, with plenty of movement breaks, help a child with attention differences succeed far more than long reminders.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-adhd-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How does ADHD affect a child's daily life?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-adhd-considered-a-disability","title":"Is ADHD considered a disability?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-adhd","title":"What are the types or levels of ADHD?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-adhd-genetic-or-hereditary","title":"Is ADHD genetic or hereditary?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-common-myths-about-adhd","title":"Common myths about ADHD","reason":"Same 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Act Early."},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"American Academy of Pediatrics — HealthyChildren.org"},{"url":"https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87","label":"NICE NG87 — ADHD diagnosis & management"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","meta_description":"ADHD is a common difference in how a child manages attention, activity and impulse control. Learn what it means, its patterns, and when to seek a check.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}